Key Takeaways
- Valve’s November 11 update moves the Linux Steam client to 64-bit and introduces a Steam Runtime container.
- Steam Achievement Sets allow developers to organise achievements separately for base games and downloadable content.
- Remote Play receives expanded HDR options, including restored HDR support for Steam Deck OLED.
- The update also brings startup improvements, Big Picture Mode changes and several stability fixes.
Valve has released a new Steam client update that brings changes to Linux, achievement tracking and game streaming. The November 11 release makes the Steam client a 64-bit application on Linux, with the software now running inside a Steam Runtime container. The update also introduces Steam Achievement Sets, a feature that allows developers to organise achievements into separate groups for base games and downloadable content.
Other changes include expanded HDR support for Remote Play, restored HDR functionality on Steam Deck OLED and improvements to Big Picture Mode. Valve has also included another round of startup performance improvements and fixes for several issues affecting the client.
Steam Moves Its Linux Client to 64-Bit And Introduces Achievement Sets
One of the main changes in the latest update concerns how Steam operates on Linux. The client is now a 64-bit application and runs inside a Steam Runtime container, using the same technology that Valve already employs for Steam games. According to Valve’s official release notes, the container is intended to provide a more consistent experience across different Linux distributions. Previously, differences between distributions and their installed software libraries could create compatibility issues. The runtime environment should reduce the client’s reliance on the host system’s software setup.
However, moving the client to 64-bit does not mean Linux users can remove every 32-bit dependency from their systems. Older games and other software still rely on 32-bit libraries, which remain necessary for compatibility. The update also makes Steam Achievement Sets available to everyone. The feature gives developers a way to organize achievements into separate groups, including those belonging to a game’s main release and its downloadable content.
Adding achievements through an expansion could affect a player’s overall completion status. With the new system, completed achievement sets remain complete even when developers introduce additional achievements through new content.
Developers can also archive sets tied to seasonal events or content that is no longer available. Valve has also updated the Achievements page with separate progress displays, achievement details, and expanded filtering options. Players can compare their progress with up to three friends, while the total achievement count reflects the content each player owns.
Remote Play HDR Improvements And Big Picture Mode Changes
Beyond the Linux client and achievement system, the November update includes several changes to Steam Remote Play. Valve has expanded the available HDR settings, giving users three options: Automatic, On and Off.
The Automatic setting enables HDR when supported content is available, while the On option keeps it enabled and allows increased brightness for standard dynamic range content. Valve has also added a brightness slider to the streaming overlay and a Display Style option that lets users stretch or zoom a stream when the source and receiving displays have different aspect ratios.
HDR capture is now supported through PipeWire on Linux desktop systems, while streaming from macOS also receives HDR capture support. Valve has additionally re-enabled HDR on Steam Deck OLED. Android users running version 15 or later can access HDR through the beta Steam Link application. The changes also address streaming performance. Local Remote Play connections should start streaming faster, according to Valve’s November 11 update notes.
Big Picture Mode has received several interface adjustments as well. Game invitations from friends now appear in a dedicated widget above the chat text field. This means players no longer need to search through their message history to find an invitation. Invitations shared in group chats can also appear directly within the group conversation.
Valve has made further changes to group chat navigation and improved the responsiveness of the Quick Access Menu. Friend notifications have also been adjusted so that multiple incoming messages can be grouped rather than appearing as separate alerts. The update includes another round of Steam startup performance improvements. Other fixes address memory leaks affecting game streaming and controller code, Steam Cloud synchronization conflicts, and several rare crashes.
