In the last few years, the boundaries of where and how we play PC games have been rapidly dissolving. The Steam Deck proved that you don’t need a desktop tower to enjoy your favorite Steam library and now, projects like Proton and FEX are taking that idea one step further, bringing Windows gaming even to ARM-based Android devices.

Steam’s Breakthrough: Running Windows Games on Linux

When Valve launched the Steam Deck, it didn’t just create a new handheld console, it introduced a paradigm shift. The Steam Deck runs SteamOS, a Linux-based operating system. But since most PC games are designed for Windows, Valve needed a way to make them compatible without asking every developer to port their game to Linux.

The solution came in the form of an API translation layer called Proton (often confused with “Photon”), a compatibility tool built on top of Wine and DXVK.

Here’s how it works:

• Windows games use Microsoft’s DirectX graphics APIs.
• Linux, however, uses Vulkan or OpenGL.
• Proton intercepts DirectX calls and translates them in real time to Vulkan, a low-overhead, cross-platform graphics API that runs natively on Linux.

The result is astonishingly efficient. Because the Steam Deck uses the same CPU architecture (x86-64) as a Windows PC, no instruction-level translation is required, only the API layer. That’s why games can run almost at native speeds, with some titles even performing better on SteamOS than on Windows.

Going One Step Further: Translating x86 to ARM

But what if we wanted to go beyond Linux on x86, say, to run those same games on an ARM-based platform like Android?

That’s where FEX (Fast Emulation eXtension) and similar technologies come in. FEX acts as a CPU translation layer, dynamically converting x86 instructions into ARM instructions on the fly.

This is a much harder problem than translating graphics APIs, because:

• The CPU instruction sets are completely different.
• Code has to be re-interpreted or re-compiled as it runs.
• Performance depends heavily on how efficiently this translation is done.

However, ARM processors, like those in modern smartphones or Apple Silicon Macs, have become so fast and efficient that real-time x86-to-ARM translation is now practical for many use cases, including gaming.

When you combine Proton (API translation) with FEX (architecture translation), you essentially get a full Windows-compatibility stack that can run on ARM Linux or even Android. This means the dream of playing Windows PC games on your phone is no longer science fiction, it’s already here.

Windows Games on Android: Winlator and GameHub

Projects like Winlator are making this vision a reality. Winlator is an Android app that bundles the entire translation pipeline, Wine, Proton-like layers, and FEX-style CPU emulation, inside a mobile-friendly interface. With it, you can install and run many Windows games right on your phone or tablet.

Similarly, GameHub acts as a launcher that connects to your Steam account, letting you browse and launch your library through the compatibility stack. It’s not as seamless as on the Steam Deck yet, but it’s getting there rapidly thanks to the open-source community.

The only real limitation now is hardware performance. While flagship mobile SoCs like Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 or Apple’s M-series chips are incredibly powerful, they still can’t match the sustained throughput of a dedicated gaming PC. But here’s the catch, they don’t need to.

A large percentage of Steam’s catalog consists of indie and mid-range games that don’t require cutting-edge graphics or massive CPU budgets. Titles built in Unity, Godot, or older Unreal versions often run beautifully under these emulation layers.

In other words, you might not be playing Cyberpunk 2077 on your phone anytime soon, but Celeste, Hollow Knight, Stardew Valley, Portal or Dead Cells? Those are already well within reach.

The Road Ahead

The combination of Proton and FEX-style emulation represents the next frontier in platform compatibility. As mobile hardware continues to evolve, and as open-source developers refine these translation layers, we’re heading toward a future where your entire Steam library might truly follow you anywhere, no ports, no re-purchases, no compromises.

The Steam Deck proved that PC gaming can leave the desk. Proton, FEX, and projects like Winlator are proving it can leave the house entirely.

The world of gaming has transformed dramatically over the past five decades, evolving from pixelated experiments to immersive digital universes that captivate billions. The journey of video games is a story of innovation, resilience, and boundless creativity. Let’s take a look at the major milestones, from the humble beginnings in the 1970s to today’s technological marvels, and glance into the future of gaming.

The Birth of an Industry: 1970s (First Generation)

The roots of gaming trace back to the early 1970s, a time when games were simple and hardware was extremely limited. The first generation of video game consoles, like the Magnavox Odyssey (1972), introduced people to home gaming. Arcade machines also rose to prominence, with Pong (1972) becoming a cultural phenomenon.

These early games had minimal graphics and gameplay but laid the foundation for the industry. Development was often experimental, with rudimentary sound and controls.

The Golden Age and a Sudden Crash: 1980s (Second and Third Generation)

The second generation brought programmable ROM cartridges and better visuals. The Atari 2600, launched in 1977, became a massive success, helping to popularize home gaming. Titles like Space Invaders, Pac-Man, and Donkey Kong became household names.

However, the early ’80s also saw the infamous video game crash of 1983. Oversaturation of the market, poor-quality games (such as the widely panned E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial), and lack of quality control led to a sharp decline in sales and confidence in the industry. Many companies went bankrupt, and critics declared gaming a passing fad.

The industry was rescued by Nintendo with the release of the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) in 1985 (third generation). It restored faith in gaming with tight quality control, iconic franchises like Super Mario Bros. and The Legend of Zelda, and a more robust ecosystem for developers.

The Rise of Console Wars: 1990s (Fourth and Fifth Generation)

The fourth generation brought 16-bit consoles like the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) and Sega Genesis. This era saw fierce competition, often called the “console wars”, between Nintendo and Sega. Games became more detailed and story-driven, with titles like Chrono Trigger, Sonic the Hedgehog, and Street Fighter II.

In the fifth generation, the leap to 3D graphics defined the era. The Sony PlayStation, Nintendo 64, and Sega Saturn pushed the boundaries of what games could look and feel like. Franchises like Final Fantasy VII, Metal Gear Solid, and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time reshaped expectations around narrative, scale, and immersion.

The Online Revolution and Multimedia Consoles: 2000s (Sixth and Seventh Generation)

With the sixth generation (Dreamcast, PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube), online gaming slowly entered the mainstream. Sega’s Dreamcast was ahead of its time with online capabilities, though it struggled commercially. The PlayStation 2, however, became the best-selling console of all time, helping DVDs and multimedia entertainment take root in the living room.

The seventh generation saw a boom in online multiplayer, digital downloads, and HD graphics. The Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Nintendo Wii each brought something unique. Xbox Live defined online console gaming, PS3 pushed graphical fidelity, and the Wii broke records by appealing to casual audiences with motion controls.

High-Fidelity and Social Gaming: 2010s (Eighth Generation)

The eighth generation (PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch) refined everything. Graphics approached photorealism, and storytelling matured. Games like The Last of Us, The Witcher 3, and Breath of the Wild blended cinematic presentation with expansive worlds.

This era also witnessed the rise of mobile gaming, esports, streaming, and game-as-a-service models. Free-to-play games like Fortnite and Genshin Impact became cultural landmarks, sustained by live updates and massive online communities.

Meanwhile, platforms like Twitch and YouTube turned gaming into both a spectator sport and a social activity.

The Present Day: 2020s (Ninth Generation)

The ninth generation is marked by the release of the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and the continued dominance of the Nintendo Switch. These systems bring near-instant load times, ray tracing, 4K visuals, and expanded support for digital-only games and subscriptions like Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus.

Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are becoming more mainstream, with devices like the Meta Quest and PlayStation VR2 pushing immersive experiences further.

Cloud gaming, powered by services like NVIDIA GeForce Now, Xbox Cloud Gaming, and Amazon Luna, promises to untether gamers from hardware limitations.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Gaming

The future of gaming will likely be shaped by several converging trends:

AI-Driven Worlds: With AI advancements, future games may offer more dynamic, responsive worlds filled with intelligent NPCs and procedural storytelling.

Immersive Experiences: As VR/AR hardware becomes more accessible and comfortable, fully immersive, lifelike simulations may become the norm.

Cloud and Ubiquitous Gaming: The dream of playing any game, anywhere, on any device is becoming reality. Cloud gaming could eliminate the need for powerful consoles altogether.

Metaverse and Social Gaming: Persistent, shared virtual spaces may redefine how we play, work, and socialize, though the true form of the “metaverse” remains to be seen.

Sustainability and Inclusivity: Developers are increasingly focused on making games accessible to all and reducing the environmental impact of game production.

I have always been an Amiga user/fanboy. After my Atari 65 XE which I got at a very early age, and before I was even aware of what the landscape of home computers was at the time, I got my first Amiga 500. Boy did I fall in love with it! Then came the Amiga 1200 and then … well … the Amigas died and I had to move on.

At the same time, the main rival of the Amiga for its price range was the Atari ST. I did not know much about the ST back then, only that it was an inferior machine when it came to graphics capabilities compared to the Amiga, and that it came with MIDI interfaces built in. Not that I knew exactly what that meant, but in my mind the Amiga was superior when it came to graphics and the Atari had more capabilities when it came to audio. Well, I was wrong on that part since I only recently discovered that the Amiga was ALSO vastly superior at the audio department, with 4 PCM channels, as opposed to 3 FM channels (based on the AY-3-8910 audio chip also used in many 8 bit computers like the Amstrad CPC and the ZX Spectrum as well as some old arcade machines like 1942 and Frogger and only had synthesis capabilities and no samples).

But enough about the history lesson, this is not what this blog post is about. Since I recently got my first Atari ST computer (an Atari MEGA ST 2) I am starting to learn a few things about it and how everything worked in Atariland. My ST came with a monochrome monitor, capable of a 640×400 black and white image and not much more. This was a very high resolution for the time and the Atari OS (TOS and GEM) looks very crisp on it, despite the complete lack of color. The only issue was that my OS was in German. While I occasionally like German and speak it a bit, I do prefer my OSes to be in English. But looking into how I would change that, I discovered that in Atariland, the OS is in ROM on the motherboard. Oh well, time to get my trusty screwdriver and open it up.

After ordering a new set of English TOS chips (TOS 1.04 which was the last version released for non Enhanced versions of the ST – the E in STE models), waiting for a few days (installing a Gotek inside the ST while waiting) they are here. Time to replace the ROMs!

Looking around inside the Mega ST, I found the 6 chips that needed replacement, next to the mighty 68000 CPU. Thankfully, the chips were not soldered to the motherboard but rather sat on sockets so they could be easily removed and replaced.

Removing them was rather simple, trying not to bend their little legs too much so that they broke. This is what they looked like after being removed.

Putting the new chips was even easier. Just align the legs and push gently and evenly down.

Power on and … nothing. No fan spinning, no Gotek getting power. Nothing. This was a scary moment until I realized that I had relied too much on the labels orientation to notice that there is a notch on the side of each chip which has to match the notch on the motherboard chip sockets.

After removing them once more, and placing them back correctly, it was a success and TOS is now in English.

So success!