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We knew Linux wouldn't suddenly climb the ladder in Steam's Hardware Survey, as it's going to take a lot of time. The latest is out, and we are holding steady.

Linux is holding out at 0.98% which is a change over last month of +0.03%. The numbers are still so small it's pretty much irrelevant, but hey change is change right.

What has irked me recently, is the amount of sites saying things like "despite Steam machines..." and "even with Steam Machines...". I don't know how many times I need to tell people, but it was never going to be an overnight success and jump for us in the statistics.

There's two issues, one being that Valve don't provide the survey on SteamOS or Steam Big Picture mode, and that this is a survey, not a full statistic they are reporting to people. Valve will have further and much more detailed statistics available to developers, of that I am certain. They know what you're connecting on as soon as you login, that's for certain.

It's not all doom and gloom, we are holding steady. Keep believing, and keep buying Linux games. Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
Tags: Editorial, Steam
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Yasser Dec 2, 2015
Get Up Stand Up
oldrocker99 Dec 2, 2015
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I'd be interested in actual sales figures for Steam Linux games, given the well-known Humble Bundle average amounts paid by OS, which consistently showed Linux users in the lead. I always figured that as a major impetus toward developers looking harder at Linux, leading to Steam for Linux.

We may be few, but we do buy a lot of games...
Orkultus Dec 2, 2015
Would be awesome if that steam hardware survey showed up more frequently, not just to random people, but everyone on the same day.
tastyjerk Dec 2, 2015
I wonder if we'll actually see a big push at some point in time by Valve for the Steam Machines. Needless to say the launch of the Machines was more of a whimper than a bang, but I think it's pretty common knowledge that SteamOS itself needs some more polish and support from developers. Will there be a point where Valve is satisfied with the state of SteamOS and Steam Machines that we'll actually see them push into the mainstream eye to try and get more consumers? I'd love to see it happen.
Eike Dec 2, 2015
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Quoting: tastyjerkI wonder if we'll actually see a big push at some point in time by Valve for the Steam Machines. Needless to say the launch of the Machines was more of a whimper than a bang, but I think it's pretty common knowledge that SteamOS itself needs some more polish and support from developers. Will there be a point where Valve is satisfied with the state of SteamOS and Steam Machines that we'll actually see them push into the mainstream eye to try and get more consumers? I'd love to see it happen.

I don't think so. It either grows solwly on people or it doesn't. No push, no bang.
Pinguino Dec 2, 2015
Not only it's a survey, it's apparently a non-random sample biased against Linux users (there are many testimonials of people never getting those surveys on their Linux partition but getting them frequently on their Windows one), so those OS percentages are probably underestimating the true percentage.
_J_30000 Dec 2, 2015
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Quoting: YasserGet Up Stand Up
For Your Rights

Quoting: wleoncioNot only it's a survey, it's apparently a non-random sample biased against Linux users (there are many testimonials of people never getting those surveys on their Linux partition but getting them frequently on their Windows one), so those OS percentages are probably underestimating the true percentage.
Yes I was asked at least 20 times on Windows and have only been asked once on Linux (in 3 years)
tastyjerk Dec 2, 2015
Quoting: EikeI don't think so. It either grows solwly on people or it doesn't. No push, no bang.

That's kind of what I'm figuring. Tis a shame.
Kallestofeles Dec 2, 2015
I've got no idea what Valve is trying to accomplish, but I'm still with my stupid conspiracy theory that Linux Steam Client just does not get as many surveys as the Windows Client.
The ONLY time I've ever gotten one was back 3 years ago when Steam was still in beta for linux with 2-5 games? (might be overreacting a bit)
But over the years, the survey pops up always when I either boot to windows for a sec or use wine to play windows games... so I don't know. Seems to me that the whole system is messed up.

What they should do is to make a "checkbox" for "If you wish to be survey'd by Valve for statistics". And to avoid scheming with the results much, make those surveys in a wave. Like one at a random point in spring, one in summer, etc. So that everyone who has opted-in for the survey would get one. (but only once per Steam account)
Nyap Dec 2, 2015
I am proud to be in that 1%


Last edited by Nyap on 2 December 2015 at 8:30 pm UTC
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