Steamworks now gives developers of Steam Deck Verified games a framerate distribution chart, adding detail beyond a single average-FPS figure. Valve announced the report on October 1, 2026. It uses anonymized data from Steam Deck players who opted in, and should be read alongside player feedback and the existing performance charts—not as a stand-alone pass/fail score.
What the new Steamworks FPS report shows
The chart shows how reported framerates are distributed across participating Steam Deck players’ sessions. That can reveal whether an average conceals a broad spread—for example, whether many observations cluster at lower rates even when the average looks acceptable. Valve says the chart is intended to complement average-framerate and customer-feedback charts, giving developers a clearer view of how players experience a game.
The report is Deck-specific. Valve says it is starting with Steam Deck because the devices share a hardware configuration, making the data easier to interpret. The October 1 announcement does not give a timetable or commitment for adding other Steam hardware.
Who can see the chart and where to find it
Valve’s announced access scope is games marked Steam Deck Verified; it is not a report for every Steam game or every PC configuration.
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- Open the game’s Steamworks Partner landing page.
- Go to Technical Tools > Steam Hardware Compatibility Review.
- Review the framerate distribution alongside the average-framerate and customer-feedback charts.
Where the data comes from
The chart is based on anonymized framerate data shared by Steam Deck players who opted in. Valve says a majority of Steam Deck players had opted in, but did not publish an exact participation percentage. The chart therefore reflects a broad set of opted-in play, not a census of every Deck owner or every session.
Opt-in is relevant when interpreting the results: the chart describes reported experience among participating players, and the announcement does not quantify how closely that group represents all players of a particular game.
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Why a lower-FPS segment may not mean poor optimization
Several factors can move observations into lower-framerate ranges without showing that the game is failing to meet a single universal target. Valve specifically cautions developers to account for device limits, player settings, display setup, and loading time.
- LCD and OLED have different stated ceilings. Valve lists a maximum frame rate of 60 FPS for Steam Deck LCD and 90 FPS for Steam Deck OLED. A distribution spanning both models cannot be read as if every device had the same maximum.
- Players can set a lower frame limit. Someone with an OLED Deck may cap the device below 90 FPS to conserve battery. A game capable of running at 90 FPS can consequently appear in lower-FPS segments.
- Some players use external displays. Docked sessions may involve monitors that support higher refresh rates than the Deck’s built-in display, which can affect the observed distribution.
- Loading screens are included. Valve says the chart covers all sampled time, including loading screens, where framerate can fall substantially. A dip is not necessarily representative of ordinary gameplay.
Valve’s announcement does not specify a method for separating these factors in the chart. Developers should avoid attributing a segment to a particular cause unless they can corroborate it with other evidence.
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Use the chart to identify patterns worth investigating, then compare them with player feedback and other performance evidence. Valve gives one example: if a significant share of observations is below 30 FPS and players also report performance or stability problems, developers could investigate optimization or change the game’s default graphics configuration for Deck.
That example is not a universal cutoff. A below-30-FPS observation by itself does not establish a defect, and the announcement does not define what share counts as significant. The practical value is in combining the distribution with reports and investigating likely causes before changing defaults.
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- Valve is entering the gaming console marketplace with the new Steam Deck, a console geared towards PC gamers. The Steam Deck can be docked to a monitor, and used as a PC, or docked to a TV.
- Players can play a huge variety of games at any time with the comfort of a console and the freedom of a PC. Not anti-glare screen.
- Like the name suggests, the Steam Deck will include upgraded 1TB storage, and will include a carrying case. A micro SD slot will also enable expanded storage.
- Valve partnered with AMD to create a specialized APU optimized for handheld gaming, and Valve says the chip will deliver performance to run AAA gaming titles.
- The Steam Deck is outfitted with a 7-inch touchscreen, and two trackpads under the control sticks that allow gamers to operate games never designed outside of mouse and keyboard capabilities.
What the announcement does not establish
- It gives no exact opt-in rate, only that a majority of Steam Deck players had opted in.
- It does not announce reporting for devices beyond Steam Deck or a date for wider coverage.
- It does not present below 30 FPS as a pass/fail standard for Steam Deck Verified games.
Sources: Valve’s Steamworks Development announcement, “Steam Deck Framerate data” (October 1, 2026); Steamworks documentation on Steam Deck compatibility.
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