Steam Machine Verification Now Operational, Plus Black Flag Achieves Top Rating

Since the recent debut of the Steam Machine, the Steam store has been somewhat tight-lipped about which games are confirmed to work seamlessly with Valve’s compact gaming rig. However, a recent update has finally shed light on this crucial information. Notably, Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag Resynced has received a big blue checkmark, indicating its compatibility with the device.

Steam has a history of providing detailed compatibility information for games on the Steam Deck, including insights on control scheme suitability, text readability on smaller screens, and overall functionality. Now, similar details are available for the Steam Machine, although they remain somewhat hidden within the store pages.

To find out if a game has been tested or verified for the Steam Machine, you’ll need to click the “Learn more” button located in the “STEAM DECK COMPATIBILITY” section, which is a few scrolls down on the right side, nestled between “Languages” and “Achievements.”

Once you click that, a pop-up will appear, detailing the game’s compatibility across three categories: Steam Deck, Steam Machine, and Steam OS.

For Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag Resynced, the information indicates that “all functionality” works with the default controller settings, the UI shows appropriate Steam Controller icons, and the game’s default graphics settings run smoothly on the Steam Machine. It’s also worth noting that the game requires an internet connection for its initial launch due to DRM.

This new presentation of compatibility information is a significant improvement over how it was previously displayed for the Steam Deck, which has also been streamlined. It includes the same details and adds that the game’s text is designed to be easily readable on smaller screens. The SteamOS section simply states that the game runs “successfully” on Steam’s Linux version, but again mentions the need for an internet connection at first launch.

For titles that haven’t been tested on the Steam Machine, you’ll see a message stating, “Valve is still learning about [Game Name]. We do not currently have further information regarding Steam Machine compatibility.”

If a game has been tested but doesn’t perform well, you’ll receive a detailed list of issues. For example, GTA: San Andreas is marked as “Playable on Steam Machine” but comes with a yellow indicator and a list of reasons for its less-than-ideal performance.

And while we’re discussing compatibility, let’s take a moment to look at the neglected state of Valve’s own Alien Swarm, which has been left to languish with minimal support on the company’s devices.