Google has introduced that some ChromeOS customers will lastly be capable of begin testing Steam. During the Google for Games Developer Summit, Google’s product director for video games, Greg Hartell, announced that “the Steam alpha just launched” for choose Chromebooks.

It was a quick point out, however the software program has been a very long time coming — Google introduced that it was engaged on Steam help for ChromeOS at first of 2020, and there hasn’t been a lot information since. There have been whispers that we’d see it quickly, although, as latest reviews indicated that firms are engaged on gaming-focused Chromebooks.

Despite how lengthy we’ve been ready, the announcement comes as a little bit of a shock. As 9to5Google’s Kyle Bradshaw tweeted, individuals have been making an attempt to study extra about Steam on ChromeOS for months, combing by way of code and developer feedback — just for Google to announce it with an informal point out throughout a developer keynote.

That keynote additionally goes over Google’s revised plans for its Stadia service — the TL;DR is that it plans on introducing free demos and trials, in addition to making issues simpler for builders. You can watch it here, or beneath (the Steam point out is about 14 minutes in).

It is comprehensible why Google would need to make the launch comparatively quiet; on condition that it’s launching as an alpha, it’ll in all probability be a little bit tough across the edges. There’s additionally restricted availability. Google didn’t point out which computer systems Steam shall be accessible on, however 9to5Google has a list that it discovered last month. It consists of the x86-powered laptops just like the Acer Chromebook Spin 713 and the Asus Flip CX5, together with a number of different fashions.

Hartell factors viewers to the Chromebook Community Forum for extra info, although it doesn’t appear to be there are any official updates accessible there but. We’ve reached out to Google and Valve for extra info, and can let you recognize if we hear again.