The form factor of switch/steam deck is expanding, valve doesn't by any means have a stranglehold over it, they are by far the biggest player but the benefits to linux gaming are shared across the board which opens up the entire industry not closes it down?

Not saying I trust Valve or think they are somehow a company but good but yeah out of the current options I will happily give Valve my money.

But I admit I am compromised - I spend too much time gaming, being retired its easy to lose track of time. Honestly, I feel like a vegan who wraps bacon in thick wholemeal sandwiches and pretends they are not really eating pigs since its mainly bread.

Fuck that noise, play video games, they expand and stimulate your mind and you don't hurt anyone or waste any significant amount of resources playing them!