Google has announced that it will discontinue support for Steam on its Chromebooks starting January 1, 2026. This move marks the end of a failed experiment to bring gaming to Chromebooks, which was first proposed in 2022. Despite initial optimism and investment from companies like ASUS and Acer, Steam never gained traction among gamers.
The reason behind Google’s decision is largely due to technical limitations. Chromebooks are underpowered compared to traditional gaming laptops, making it difficult for games to run smoothly. Valve’s Proton compatibility software can help with some games, but it cannot compensate for the lack of processing power.
As a result, users will have to rely on alternative options such as NVIDIA GeForce Now and Xbox Cloud Gaming to play modern console and PC games on their Chromebooks. Android apps are also an option, but they may not be suitable for all types of games. This marks the end of a promising but ultimately unsuccessful attempt by Google to bring gaming to its Chromebook platform.
Source: https://www.engadget.com/gaming/steam-for-chromebooks-is-reportedly-being-discontinued-194020340.html