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SteamOS is still clinging on, somehow. Valve just released a new Beta that is mostly just security updates and Debian 8.9 updates.

Security updates are important of course, but each time I hear of a new SteamOS Beta coming out I'm always hopeful it includes something interesting. One of the only really interesting bits to this update is this line "steamos-base-files - udev rules from Feral to enable steering wheel support", good old Feral! Having good steering wheel support in SteamOS could be quite important in future, if we continue to get more top quality racing games like F1 2017, DiRT Rally and so on.

I do have a feeling that once Valve have managed to polish up VR support for Linux, that they might make a new splash for SteamOS and Steam Machines. I'm probably being too optimistic there, but I have to think that all their work on Mesa has to be for something. Right now though, it does very much seem like SteamOS itself is on life support, waiting for someone to come along and save it.

Thankfully with Valve working on Mesa, VR support and more, they're still doing rather a lot to help Linux gaming.

Thanks for the tip mphuZ!

Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
Tags: Beta, SteamOS
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danniello Nov 9, 2017
Unfortunately very true. Valve support for Steam is in stagnation for long time...

Steam Linux exists because Valve got scared by Metro AppStore presented in Windows RT/8.
After "market disaster" of Metro - Microsoft abandoned concept to "kill" win32 environment, so they released Win8.1/10 where win32 apps are again equal to promoted by Microsoft Metro/UWP.

Unfortunately - in my opinion - Valve put Linux "into the refrigerator". Some progress still exists (especially updates to AMD drivers, but also SteamVR alpha), but unfortunately it is very little progress... Surprisingly even Wine has better progress - more, and more DX11 games are playable...

So... Good luck for Windows 10S - Metro only system where Steam cannot be installed. It could be "wake up" signal for Valve...
Leopard Nov 9, 2017
Valve don't have magical powers to turn gaming industry and it's dynamics such a short time.
Feist Nov 9, 2017
And to think that for a short time I was naive enough to believe that Valve would support their "SteamOS & the Steammachines" in a similar way that Microsoft supports their Xboxes or Sony their Playstations with corresponding OS:s.

Not with exclusive titles nor to the same extent in any other way but still...a strong and commited effort by Valve to challenge Windows as "The PC-Gaming OS of Choice". To say that my expectations fell short would be a truly absurd understatement.
Leopard Nov 9, 2017
Quoting: FeistAnd to think that for a short time I was naive enough to believe that Valve would support their "SteamOS & the Steammachines" in a similar way that Microsoft supports their Xboxes or Sony their Playstations with corresponding OS:s.

Not with exclusive titles nor to the same extent in any other way but still...a strong and commited effort by Valve to challenge Windows as "The PC-Gaming OS of Choice". To say that my expectations fell short would be a truly absurd understatement.

Intention was bringing attention to Linux at first place. At that time devs didn't know anything about it , even game engines didn't support it.

Hell , even i owe my full time Linux usage to Valve. It was impossible for me before , without games.

We need Bethesda like companies and their games to grow.
WJMazepas Nov 9, 2017
Valve could enable Wine on SteamOS for many DX9 games and promote Vulkan more.
If they invest in more documents, books and online classes for Vulkan, it would appear more devs having knowledge for port to linux.

Also they could invest in Feral for they being able to make more ports and promote them to more devs
cRaZy-bisCuiT Nov 9, 2017
What do we need new feature for? We need more advertising for SteamOS, a Steam Machine relaunch with reference machines from Valve, we need more Publishers publishing Linux Games and finally we need people buying all that stuff.

Features might be nice. But what exactly is SteamOS missing in your opinion?
Whitewolfe80 Nov 9, 2017
Mmm I for one have zero interest in VR I hope the people that want it get it, but its just not for me having used gear vr and oculus at tech demos the tech demos almost made me hurl twice so its not for me. As for Steam OS i think they should give it up it would be better if they had just stuck with their opening statement they threw support behind Ubuntu, then started work on Steam OS.

Personally I do not know anyone that runs steams OS as a daily driver nearly all the linux gamers i know stick to ubuntu lts based distros with a smattering of arch here and there. If there is a silent market out there running Steam os i would love to know why they run it.
killyou Nov 9, 2017
Guys, to be honest this is it. We already had the best out of the "linux gaming" movement, now it's loosing momentum. There will be some more games but it will not get any better than it is right now. It might get worse though. We will not exit the artificial life support phase unless something happens on the Microsoft - Valve front.
Liam Dawe Nov 9, 2017
Quoting: killyouGuys, to be honest this is it. We already had the best out of the "linux gaming" movement, now it's loosing momentum. There will be some more games but it will not get any better than it is right now. It might get worse though. We will not exit the artificial life support phase unless something happens on the Microsoft - Valve front.
I think you're being incredibly pessimistic. Nothing about Linux gaming is losing momentum. SteamOS is not the start and end of Linux gaming. I've found the experience of Linux gaming to get better year on year.

Edit: Missed an important word.


Last edited by Liam Dawe on 9 November 2017 at 10:37 pm UTC
GustyGhost Nov 9, 2017
Quoting: liamdawe
Quoting: killyouGuys, to be honest this is it. We already had the best out of the "linux gaming" movement, now it's loosing momentum. There will be some more games but it will not get any better than it is right now. It might get worse though. We will not exit the artificial life support phase unless something happens on the Microsoft - Valve front.
I think you're being incredibly pessimistic. Nothing about Linux gaming is losing momentum. SteamOS is not the start and end of Linux gaming. I've found the experience of Linux gaming to get better year on year.

Do you find that there is more to report on year over year? If it is increasing or decreasing are we looking at a linear change or a curve? I suspect many of us are caught up counting volume of big name releases without paying much attention to the growth of development framework or even attention returning to old projects.
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