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The latest Steam Hardware Survey and Linux has dropped down again, but the change is so small it's practically insignificant.

It shows that Linux dropped -0.04% to a total of 0.80%. Now I should remind you that does not mean there are less Linux players on Steam. It's likely that Windows has just grown quicker than Linux has.

SteamOS and Steam Big Picture are still not included in the survey and it's a manual survey, so you're not included in it unless you get the pop-up asking you to submit your details.

The problem is, this type of survey isn't all that good for measuring the operating system, it's more for the hardware side of things. Especially since you can trigger it by changing distro, changing to Windows, Linux or Mac, changing graphics card etc. You also only get it when you login, so if you're logged in for a long time over the period it's done, you will never see it.

So, basically, don't put too much thought into the OS side of it. And ignore anyone who uses that mark as a way of claiming Linux is at it's lowest ever level (no, I don't hate Phoronix, I just think that's an idiotic and uninformed headline from someone who should know better), or Linux gaming is dying or something.

Why do I still bother to cover this? Simple! To shout out the fact that we have our own statistics page you can visit any time, which I just updated so it's nice and fresh for you! Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
Tags: Editorial, Steam
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I am the owner of GamingOnLinux. After discovering Linux back in the days of Mandrake in 2003, I constantly came back to check on the progress of Linux until Ubuntu appeared on the scene and it helped me to really love it. You can reach me easily by emailing GamingOnLinux directly. Find me on Mastodon.
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38 comments
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linux_gamer Jul 2, 2016
Quoting: Steam Client Beta Update - July 1Fixed compatibility issues with some upcoming Vulkan games
Seems some Vulkan games are heading to Steam in near future.
fagnerln Jul 2, 2016
What happens with cheaters? New account, +1 Windows account.
Only 1 single time ever i've gotten that survey in about 2 years.
Liam Dawe Jul 2, 2016
Quoting: MohandevirJust a guess... Is it possible that the forced Win10 upgrade is triggering a lot more survey request to Win10 users because of the configuration change?

It would reflect in a Linux percentage drop, giving a wrong image of the real Linux marketshare.

Things might come back to normal after July 29th...
Wow, i didn't even think of that, but it is highly possible actually as it is likely that will cause the survey to appear.
IDNO Jul 2, 2016
well is weird for me i never get surveys :P was long ago


Last edited by IDNO on 2 July 2016 at 3:51 pm UTC
GustyGhost Jul 2, 2016
I'm going to go against the grain here and point out that many Windows users who get the survey decline it because they don't want to be bothered while almost every Linux user is ecstatic to receive the survey. And even despite this contrast, Linux numbers still seem to be shrinking.

Or does Valve's survey system account for people who decline by sending out a new survey until somebody accepts and "fills the position"?
Overlord Jul 2, 2016
It is most likely because of steam summer sale.which may caused a surge of windows user to buy&play those cheap game rather than doing their usual official/other business.There is nothing wrong with linux gamer numbers ,they are just crused by a behemoth in case percentage.after sales end and those ppl had enough of gaming.windows % will go down again.


Last edited by Overlord on 2 July 2016 at 4:30 pm UTC
Beamboom Jul 2, 2016
It's so funny to see the steady flow of poor excuses and illogical reasoning every. Single. Time. an article about the Steam survey results are published. Get over it guys, we're small. Tiny. Almost invisible on the radar.
That's status quo today.


Last edited by Beamboom on 2 July 2016 at 4:54 pm UTC
Mohandevir Jul 2, 2016
Quoting: liamdawe
Quoting: MohandevirJust a guess... Is it possible that the forced Win10 upgrade is triggering a lot more survey request to Win10 users because of the configuration change?

It would reflect in a Linux percentage drop, giving a wrong image of the real Linux marketshare.

Things might come back to normal after July 29th...
Wow, i didn't even think of that, but it is highly possible actually as it is likely that will cause the survey to appear.

This is why I'd prefer Valve to proceed like the survey here, when it comes to OS. Something like "current OS" in our user profile, that you supply on a voluntary basis, and stop triggering the survey because of an OS change. Even if some may cheat, it would give a much more accurate portrait whithout some external influence meddling with it...

Still I don't think it's Valve's goal with this HARDWARE survey and they are probably quite aware of the problem.


Last edited by Mohandevir on 2 July 2016 at 4:57 pm UTC
Tuxee Jul 2, 2016
Quoting: wolfyrionThat was ovious

20 Games Top Sellers, Only 5 Titles to Linux

Games like

DOOM,Rocket League,The Witcher 3,Dark Souls 3,Rise of The Tomb Raider etc

You think anyone who is a Pro GAMER etc,would switch to Linux?

What is a Pro GAMER? And I assume that they (whatever they are) account only for a miniscule amount of the overall Steam player base.
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