NTSYNC Signals SteamOS Lock‑In

Valve bundling the NTSYNC kernel driver into SteamOS by default is a low‑level move that reduces friction for running Windows games on Linux via Proton, making SteamOS a more attractive default for gamers and creating another technical dependency for game developers and middleware. Over time, these OS‑level integrations accumulate into platform lock‑in: the more game stacks rely on SteamOS kernel features, the harder it is for competitors (or users) to switch. — OS‑level kernel integrations by a dominant platform vendor have broader implications for competition, developer ecosystems, and consumer choice in the digital‑platform economy.