Something I keep seeing repeated in our comments, forum and across other sites is people believing Valve have somehow failed already and are abandoning SteamOS. That's far from the truth of the matter.
To re-iterate something I've said every time: SteamOS was never, ever going to be an overnight success. New platforms generally take quite some time to make a difference, but SteamOS has already made a massive difference to Linux gaming.
SteamOS is still a very new platform for Valve and for everyone. Does anyone remember what Steam itself was like a few years ago? It was horrific. It still has tons of problems even now, but it is improving at a reasonable pace. In a few years SteamOS will probably be quite different to what we have today.
I've spoken to a few developers over the years and one thing is quite clear to me. If it wasn't for SteamOS there is no way we would be getting the types of games we have been getting for the past few years. We also wouldn't have as big a push as we have seen in pushing our graphics drivers forward, as a lot of it is thanks to people testing games and sending in feedback from the experience.
Only recently has SteamOS been updated to include a Vulkan driver for Nvidia and the new AMD GPU PRO driver.
Vulkan
Vulkan is the next-generation graphics API that will see Linux/SteamOS hopefully progress even further with a possible promise of improved performance. We have already seen Talos improve quite a bit with it and going by benchmarks out there for Dota 2 it has also improved performance.
Vulkan is still in its infancy and it is being regularly updated with the community to improve it.
Open source drivers
Look at how far MESA has come along even in the past two months. It's incredible. Not only is it gaining support for modern versions of OpenGL, but it's looking like performance is steadily going up too. This is particularly good news for Intel and AMD users.
Games
In the last six months alone we have seen titles like F1 2015, Tomb Raider, Stellaris, Saints Row: The Third, Medieval II: Total War Collection, Payday 2, XCOM 2, Dying Light: Enhanced Edition, American Truck Simulator, GRID Autosport, Total War: ATTILA and the list just goes on and on without even getting into the popular smaller indie games. Linux gaming is expanding at a pretty great pace.
We have a lot to look forward to with plenty of titles not yet announced, some teased and an almost guaranteed steady flow of indie games.
It was only at the very end of march we mentioned that there was now 2,000 Linux/SteamOS games on Steam. Now only two months later we have another ~183 games on the platform.
If you want to help us keep track of games, check out our Release Calendar and submit missing games to it.
We also have a wiki page for Unreleased Ports that could use some community love. You knew we had a Wiki right?
Game engines
Unity, Unreal, Crytek and others have all made pushes towards OpenGL, Vulkan and Linux. Some are working well, some need work, but the point is we have some of the most widely used game engines now supporting Linux. This was another thing that was unheard of only a few years ago.
Not only that, but some major game engines have recently become more open with their code.
The amount of Linux gamers
It's really hard to tell this accurately, so take this with a pinch of salt, but a recent editorial right here on GOL had an interesting way to calculate it. Taking that into consideration, Linux use on Steam is at an all time high.
How can you help?
Buy Linux games from legitimate stores. Steam, Humble Store, GOG, Games Republic and itch.io are a few choices. Try to make sure you're counted as a Linux sale.
Stop buying games on promises of a future Linux version. Wait. You are in control of your own wallet. A good bit of reading is our Samsai's thoughts "On pre-orders and other nasty buying habits".
Advertise Linux to your friends and family, let them know about it, show it to them.
I've been around Linux Gaming for about 10 years now, believe me when I say what we have is bloody awesome. Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
To re-iterate something I've said every time: SteamOS was never, ever going to be an overnight success. New platforms generally take quite some time to make a difference, but SteamOS has already made a massive difference to Linux gaming.
SteamOS is still a very new platform for Valve and for everyone. Does anyone remember what Steam itself was like a few years ago? It was horrific. It still has tons of problems even now, but it is improving at a reasonable pace. In a few years SteamOS will probably be quite different to what we have today.
I've spoken to a few developers over the years and one thing is quite clear to me. If it wasn't for SteamOS there is no way we would be getting the types of games we have been getting for the past few years. We also wouldn't have as big a push as we have seen in pushing our graphics drivers forward, as a lot of it is thanks to people testing games and sending in feedback from the experience.
Only recently has SteamOS been updated to include a Vulkan driver for Nvidia and the new AMD GPU PRO driver.
Vulkan
Vulkan is the next-generation graphics API that will see Linux/SteamOS hopefully progress even further with a possible promise of improved performance. We have already seen Talos improve quite a bit with it and going by benchmarks out there for Dota 2 it has also improved performance.
Vulkan is still in its infancy and it is being regularly updated with the community to improve it.
Open source drivers
Look at how far MESA has come along even in the past two months. It's incredible. Not only is it gaining support for modern versions of OpenGL, but it's looking like performance is steadily going up too. This is particularly good news for Intel and AMD users.
Games
In the last six months alone we have seen titles like F1 2015, Tomb Raider, Stellaris, Saints Row: The Third, Medieval II: Total War Collection, Payday 2, XCOM 2, Dying Light: Enhanced Edition, American Truck Simulator, GRID Autosport, Total War: ATTILA and the list just goes on and on without even getting into the popular smaller indie games. Linux gaming is expanding at a pretty great pace.
We have a lot to look forward to with plenty of titles not yet announced, some teased and an almost guaranteed steady flow of indie games.
It was only at the very end of march we mentioned that there was now 2,000 Linux/SteamOS games on Steam. Now only two months later we have another ~183 games on the platform.
If you want to help us keep track of games, check out our Release Calendar and submit missing games to it.
We also have a wiki page for Unreleased Ports that could use some community love. You knew we had a Wiki right?
Game engines
Unity, Unreal, Crytek and others have all made pushes towards OpenGL, Vulkan and Linux. Some are working well, some need work, but the point is we have some of the most widely used game engines now supporting Linux. This was another thing that was unheard of only a few years ago.
Not only that, but some major game engines have recently become more open with their code.
The amount of Linux gamers
It's really hard to tell this accurately, so take this with a pinch of salt, but a recent editorial right here on GOL had an interesting way to calculate it. Taking that into consideration, Linux use on Steam is at an all time high.
How can you help?
Buy Linux games from legitimate stores. Steam, Humble Store, GOG, Games Republic and itch.io are a few choices. Try to make sure you're counted as a Linux sale.
Stop buying games on promises of a future Linux version. Wait. You are in control of your own wallet. A good bit of reading is our Samsai's thoughts "On pre-orders and other nasty buying habits".
Advertise Linux to your friends and family, let them know about it, show it to them.
I've been around Linux Gaming for about 10 years now, believe me when I say what we have is bloody awesome. Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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Homepcgamer May 30, 2016
A few points about all this...
1.- I'm relatively new in the linux world. 4 years ago I was a Windows man only but I started to switch my work systems due to the way Win8 was going to be, and with Win10 the time gives me the reason. Only a year after that I was planning to release my PC shop building and selling (windows only) gaming & multimedia PC's on my own. Few weeks later Valve announced Steam Machines and here I am. And here we are!. When I look back and see all we have advanced in such a short time it's simply amazing. Now we sell Linux gaming PC's too. Few ones, it's true, but we believe in the product, and are passionate guys. We love what we make so we will be here for a long time I hope.
2.- Yes, Valve is a company that handles communication a little bit special. The first time Valve announced the Steam Machines we couldn't believe. It was the product we were dreaming! so we contacted them but for some reason (I think by the relatively early state of SteamOS, and the need of big companies in to the proyect to have more marketing) they locked the SM certifications to big companies. Some of them have abandoned the proyect and others are not pushing & advertising the product all they should (it's a very little market and have poor revenues), but I'm sure there are a lot of small companies that are waiting the oportunity to develop and sell a Steam Machine. It's only a question of Valve time. (I think they are waiting to have a more polished system and more AAA games to open the certifications)
I'm sure that we will have some news about Steam Machines in the next months.
3.- I'm sure Valve are still pushing SteamOS because Microsoft is still pushing their market walled garden. Yes, MS have lowered the wall a little but still is an attempt to lock the market to their system. The new way MS are pushing the developers to release all their upcoming new XBox exclusive titles into their Windows market only is the sign that they are still trying to create an exclusivity within their own system. It's a question of time and Valve knows it. I'm not sure what Valve are going to do in the future about this, but I doubt that they are facing and see what happens...
1.- I'm relatively new in the linux world. 4 years ago I was a Windows man only but I started to switch my work systems due to the way Win8 was going to be, and with Win10 the time gives me the reason. Only a year after that I was planning to release my PC shop building and selling (windows only) gaming & multimedia PC's on my own. Few weeks later Valve announced Steam Machines and here I am. And here we are!. When I look back and see all we have advanced in such a short time it's simply amazing. Now we sell Linux gaming PC's too. Few ones, it's true, but we believe in the product, and are passionate guys. We love what we make so we will be here for a long time I hope.
2.- Yes, Valve is a company that handles communication a little bit special. The first time Valve announced the Steam Machines we couldn't believe. It was the product we were dreaming! so we contacted them but for some reason (I think by the relatively early state of SteamOS, and the need of big companies in to the proyect to have more marketing) they locked the SM certifications to big companies. Some of them have abandoned the proyect and others are not pushing & advertising the product all they should (it's a very little market and have poor revenues), but I'm sure there are a lot of small companies that are waiting the oportunity to develop and sell a Steam Machine. It's only a question of Valve time. (I think they are waiting to have a more polished system and more AAA games to open the certifications)
I'm sure that we will have some news about Steam Machines in the next months.
3.- I'm sure Valve are still pushing SteamOS because Microsoft is still pushing their market walled garden. Yes, MS have lowered the wall a little but still is an attempt to lock the market to their system. The new way MS are pushing the developers to release all their upcoming new XBox exclusive titles into their Windows market only is the sign that they are still trying to create an exclusivity within their own system. It's a question of time and Valve knows it. I'm not sure what Valve are going to do in the future about this, but I doubt that they are facing and see what happens...
2 Likes, Who?
Quoting: Mountain ManI post news about new games practically every day. It was just a rare Sunday where I took some time away from news (trust me, my inbox is fucking rammed full now).Quoting: Linux tayshadyThe fact that you're posting this news article and not news about big games coming out on Linux is a big tell though.Oh, come on, this website is frequently posting articles about upcoming and just-released games.
I am working on our new stats page I shared with Patreon supporters (check my Patreon if you are a supporter!). That is why I am quiet at the moment.
1 Likes, Who?
Few years ago I was an exclusively console gamer. Now after Steam released for Linux I switched to Linux gaming. At first I was taking any sale opportunity to grab the games I like to play later, then I realized if I continue doing this I'll end up with many games that I'll never have the time to play, so I stopped buying games until I finish the ones at hand. I think this is a good indication that Linux is already a viable gaming platform that has more games than casual gamers like myself have the time for.
1 Likes, Who?
ElectricPrism May 30, 2016
I think I converted at least 8 people to Arch already, 4 of which are gamers.
Once Arch is setup it runs great for them and I can tech support via NX No Machine and SSH if necessary.
I've heard at least 3 of those people spontaneously comment on how Windows 7 "feels weird", "lags", etc...
For the everyday person Linux is mostly ready with someone in the know for those occasional technical times.
Like @sarmad said I already own way more Linux games than I play, I agree this is a indication of a healthy marketsphere.
A lot of X folk are becoming impatient and don't have thick skin after these last few years have yielded some really awesome releases.
Once Arch is setup it runs great for them and I can tech support via NX No Machine and SSH if necessary.
I've heard at least 3 of those people spontaneously comment on how Windows 7 "feels weird", "lags", etc...
For the everyday person Linux is mostly ready with someone in the know for those occasional technical times.
Like @sarmad said I already own way more Linux games than I play, I agree this is a indication of a healthy marketsphere.
A lot of X folk are becoming impatient and don't have thick skin after these last few years have yielded some really awesome releases.
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Quoting: liamdaweQuoting: Mountain ManI post news about new games practically every day. It was just a rare Sunday where I took some time away from news (trust me, my inbox is fucking rammed full now).Quoting: Linux tayshadyThe fact that you're posting this news article and not news about big games coming out on Linux is a big tell though.Oh, come on, this website is frequently posting articles about upcoming and just-released games.
I am working on our new stats page I shared with Patreon supporters (check my Patreon if you are a supporter!). That is why I am quiet at the moment.
Your average game-posts-per-day ratio can probably be charted over time, and I imagine it'd show a definite upward trend. And that, sir, THAT would be the real tell.
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QuoteBuy Linux games from legitimate stores. Steam, Humble Store, GOG, Games Republic and itch.io are a few choices. Try to make sure you're counted as a Linux sale.
We've been over how to ensure your sale counts for Linux on Steam. What are the rules for how your sale counts on these other platforms?
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Homepcgamer May 31, 2016
All these plattforms are selling steam keys.
So, be sure to activate the keys from a Linux OS and play the first hours of the games in a Linux OS.
Mainly that.
So, be sure to activate the keys from a Linux OS and play the first hours of the games in a Linux OS.
Mainly that.
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Quoting: HomepcgamerAll these plattforms are selling steam keys.
So, be sure to activate the keys from a Linux OS and playthe first hours ofthe games in a Linux OS.
Mainly that.
Fixed!
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I've been on linux exclusively since 1997. Played a ton of Quake 3 but bought each generation of Playstation up to PS3 for gaming. I finally retired my PS3 and built a Steam machine which is hooked up to my home theater.
SteamOS is more polished then the PS3 and the openness is soo refreshing. I was also able to retire my Tivo HD and I've got mythbackend recording up to 4 streams of cable HD from an HD Homerun Prime with playback on my Steam machine via kodi and my arch laptop via mythfronted. A $60 Bluray player with Netflix and Amazon streaming is the only other device needed to fulfill all my media needs.
For this old-timer, the Steam game library for linux is amazing. The only game I miss is Fifa but I had a bit of an unhealthy addiction to that one!
Mike
SteamOS is more polished then the PS3 and the openness is soo refreshing. I was also able to retire my Tivo HD and I've got mythbackend recording up to 4 streams of cable HD from an HD Homerun Prime with playback on my Steam machine via kodi and my arch laptop via mythfronted. A $60 Bluray player with Netflix and Amazon streaming is the only other device needed to fulfill all my media needs.
For this old-timer, the Steam game library for linux is amazing. The only game I miss is Fifa but I had a bit of an unhealthy addiction to that one!
Mike
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Silas Mortimer Jun 1, 2016
As far as the Wiki goes, is there a page for hidden, unsupported, but nonetheless-existant ports? "The Charnel House Trilogy", an excellent horror adventure game made in AGS, is one that I love. Though when I played it, I remember having to edit the shell script for it, but it was worth it. I know that there are some others, though I can't remember all of the ones I've come across and I likely don't know all of them.
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