Chrome Unboxed reported in January 2020 that it installed and played Kentucky Route Zero through Steam on two Chromebooks. That is a historical report, not a guarantee that the same steps work today: Google’s current Chromebook Linux documentation says hardware acceleration, including GPU support, is not supported.
Which game is the “Game of the Decade”?
The game in the headline is Kentucky Route Zero, a story-driven drama. Chrome Unboxed said Wired and Polygon had called it the most important game of the decade; that characterization is reported by Chrome Unboxed, rather than directly verified here as a statement from either outlet.
What the 2020 Chromebook report tested
In an article published January 31, 2020, Robby Payne of Chrome Unboxed said the game ran on a Pixelbook Go and a Lenovo C340. The article’s reported procedure was to enable Linux apps, turn on a ChromeOS flag called “Crostini GPU Support,” restart the Chromebook, download Steam’s .deb installer, install Steam, and then download the game. The article also listed the game at $24.99 at that time; that is a historical price, not a current one.
Those steps describe the article’s 2020 setup. Google’s current Chromebook Help page does not endorse the GPU flag or confirm that the Steam-and-game procedure still works. The Pixelbook Go and Lenovo C340 are historical examples, not current device recommendations.
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What Google documents for Linux on Chromebooks now
Google describes Linux as “a feature that lets you develop software using your Chromebook.” Its current setup instructions enable a Debian environment through Settings > About ChromeOS > Developers > Linux development environment. Google says setup can take 10 minutes or more, and a work or school administrator may prevent Linux from being enabled.
The important gaming caveat is on that same Google Help page: “Hardware acceleration isn’t yet supported, including GPU and video decode.” That current limitation conflicts with treating the older article’s “Crostini GPU Support” flag as current advice. Google’s general Linux setup guidance does not establish that Steam or Kentucky Route Zero works on any particular current Chromebook.
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Can you follow the old instructions today?
Not as a dependable, verified method. The 2020 report shows what Chrome Unboxed said worked on its tested devices at the time. It does not establish present-day compatibility across Chromebook models, ChromeOS versions, Steam builds, or versions of the game. Nor does Google’s current Linux help page resolve those specifics.
If you enable Linux using Google’s documented settings, treat any attempt to install Steam or run the game as experimental rather than a supported gaming setup. Results may depend on the Chromebook and software versions, and the available evidence does not support a performance or compatibility promise.
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What is not confirmed today
- Whether current Steam and Kentucky Route Zero builds run on a given Chromebook.
- Whether the old GPU-flag procedure remains available or changes performance on current ChromeOS versions.
- The game’s current price; the only cited figure is Chrome Unboxed’s $24.99 listing from January 2020.
Sources: Chrome Unboxed’s January 31, 2020 article; Google’s Set up Linux on your Chromebook and Linux availability guidance.
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