Valve added Steam Deck framerate-distribution charts to Steamworks on October 1, 2026. The developer-facing charts show how sampled player sessions fall across framerate ranges, giving studios more context than an average alone. They are available for Steam Deck Verified titles—not presented as a public FPS score for buyers.
Where developers can find the charts
In Steamworks, open Technical Tools > Steam Hardware Compatibility Review. The framerate-distribution chart appears alongside the existing average-framerate and customer-feedback charts. Valve’s announcement says the data is currently available to titles that are Steam Deck Verified. It does not say that players can view these charts on Steam store pages or on their devices. Steamworks Development’s October 1 announcement, reproduced by GameDev.net, describes the feature and its availability.
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What the chart shows—and what an average misses
An average reduces observations to a single summary value. A distribution instead shows how observations are spread across framerate ranges. For example, a game may have a reasonable average while still showing a meaningful cluster of sessions in lower ranges; the distribution can make that pattern easier for its developers to spot and investigate.
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How to interpret low-framerate observations
A lower observed range is a signal to investigate, not proof of a game defect. Several aspects of play can affect the chart:
- Player-set limits: A player’s framerate cap can place observations in a lower range even when the game could run faster.
- External displays: Docked play on a higher-refresh external display can change the observed results.
- Non-gameplay time: Loading screens, menus, and other sampled time can contribute observations that do not represent active gameplay.
Developers should consider these factors when comparing the distribution with their own tests or investigating a suspected performance issue. The chart offers diagnostic context, not a standardized benchmark.
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Does Steam Deck Verified guarantee a particular FPS?
No fixed minimum framerate appears among Valve’s published Steam Deck Verified checks. The Deck Verified criteria assess four areas: input, display, seamlessness, and system support. They cover matters such as controller and on-screen keyboard support, readable text and default-resolution support, navigable launchers and compatibility warnings, and Proton or middleware support, including anti-cheat. A Verified badge should therefore not be read as a promise of a specific FPS.
What players should take from the update
The feature is a new tool for developers tuning and diagnosing Verified games. Valve’s announcement does not describe it as a buyer-facing chart, and the session data should not be treated as a prediction of an individual player’s performance. For players, the key distinction is that Verified addresses compatibility criteria; it does not certify a particular framerate.
Quick Recap
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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.
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- 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.
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