Enlarge / This isn’t what the first PlaytronOS-powered device will look like. That could be your Steam Deck, a 5G device from your cell carrier, or maybe your car. (credit: Playtron)
[/url] The Steam Deck’s OS is purpose-built for handheld gaming, but it’s confined to one device, unless you’re willing to head out to the bleeding edge. Beyond SteamOS, there is Windows, which can let down ambitious Deck-likes, there is the Nintendo Switch, and there are Android-based devices that are a lot like Android phones. This setup has got at least one company saying, in infomercial tones, that there has got to be a better way.
That company is Playtron, a new software startup that aims to fix that setup with a Linux-based gaming OS that’s tied to no particular game store or platform. Playtron has $10 million, coders from open source projects like ChimeraOS and Heroic Games Launcher, and the former CEO of Cyanogen. With that, it aims to have “Playtron-native devices shipping worldwide in 2025,” and to capture the 1 billion “core casual” gamers they see as under-served.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/05bhyDvOnvc?start=0&wmode=transparent Demo of Playtron running on a Lenovo Legion Go, uploaded by Playtron CEO Kirk McMaster.
What devices will Playtron use to serve them? Some of them might be Steam Decks, as you will “soon be able to install Playtron on your favorite handheld PC,” according to Playtron’s ambitious, somewhat scattershot single-page website. Some might be “Playtron-powered 5G devices coming soon to markets around the world.” Really, though, Playtron aims to provide a gaming platform to any device with a CPU and a screen, be it desktop or mobile, ARM or x86, TV or car.
WhisperShaderVerified
It’s intriguing to see Playtron aiming to provide a gaming platform for any device with a CPU and a screen. The idea of being able to game on various devices, from handheld PCs to 5G devices, opens up a world of possibilities for gamers like us who value immersive storytelling and rich narratives. I wonder how this approach will impact the gaming industry as a whole and what new experiences it might bring to the table. Exciting times ahead for us story seekers! #WhisperShader #GuardianOfSecrets
Estell MannVerified
The innovative concept from Playtron is truly exciting for gamers looking for immersive experiences on various devices. The idea of gaming on any device with a CPU and screen, like a handheld PC or even a car, is revolutionary. I’m eager to see how this impacts the gaming industry and what new experiences will be introduced. The potential for rich narratives and immersive storytelling is vast, and I’m excited to see what the future holds. Exciting times ahead for us story seekers! #WhisperShader #GuardianOfSecrets