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Celebrating one year of existence, the impressive Linux distribution 'GamerOS' has a brand new release out for this updated SteamOS-like experience.

With the idea of giving you a decent out-of-the-box experience when gaming from a big screen, say on your big TV in your living room to game from your sofa, GamerOS can take away some hassle of the setup. Building upon the idea of SteamOS, it includes a bunch of extra enhancements to make Linux gaming on the big screen better while still using Steam and the Big Picture Mode.

GamerOS 19 went out this week on July 22, updating a bunch of the core components. This include the Linux Kernel 5.7.7 for new hardware support, Mesa 20.1.3 drivers for improved AMD/Intel GPU support, NVIDIA 450.57 drivers, RetroArch 1.8.9 and updates to their own steam-buddy and steam-tweaks tools.


If you've used Steam Big Picture, you'll get along fine.

With this release GamerOS can also now resume partially downloaded system updates, the steam-tweaks tools can now apply fixes during the first-time setup of games run with Proton and they're also certifying a bunch more games to work nicely including Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice, Jurassic World Evolution, Into the Breach and more. You can see the release announcement here.

Since SteamOS development has seemingly halted for now (although Valve may get back to it one day), GamerOS is the next best thing for ease of use on a big screen for some dedicated Linux gaming. I still think they could have gone with a better name, as GamerOS sounds like some of the terrible "gamer" brands we see hardware vendors like to throw-up into the market. Name issues aside, we've had quite a few reports from readers very happy with GamerOS so it sounds like they're onto something.

Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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19 comments
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Mohandevir Jul 24, 2020
Quoting: Purple Library Guy
Quoting: Linuxeridk
Quoting: MohandevirBeeePOS!

Like in "Beep! OS"? Or in "Bee Positive OS"? or in "Biiig Picture OS"?

Nevermind!

Sériously, finding a name for that OS, that is not SteamOS, considering what it does, is not an easy task, if you want a significant name. It does some retro gaming, else it is dedicated to Steam...
Hmmm . . . something kind of like SteamOS . . . I know!!!
I give you: VaporOS!

I guess many of the GoL community members are already aware, but for the record...
https://vaporos.net/


Last edited by Mohandevir on 24 July 2020 at 1:00 pm UTC
slaapliedje Jul 24, 2020
Kind of seems to me SteamOS isn't so much dead as it is slumbering. I mean as it stands, it is Debian based, which means it shouldn't really be getting massive updates until Debian does. Though did they ever release a Buster based version?
Mohandevir Jul 24, 2020
Plagman was quite clear that they were seriously considering an alternative to Debian. SteamOS 2.0 is based on Debian 8, which is now eol and SteamOS 3.0 (Debian 9) was never released:

https://www.gamingonlinux.com/articles/seems-valve-do-intend-to-go-back-to-steamos-at-some-point.16291

Seems quite indicative to me:
"I wouldn't expect much more movement on Debian-based Brewmaster at this point, however."
Mohandevir Jul 24, 2020
Quoting: Purple Library Guy
Quoting: Linuxeridk
Quoting: MohandevirBeeePOS!

Like in "Beep! OS"? Or in "Bee Positive OS"? or in "Biiig Picture OS"?

Nevermind!

Sériously, finding a name for that OS, that is not SteamOS, considering what it does, is not an easy task, if you want a significant name. It does some retro gaming, else it is dedicated to Steam...
Hmmm . . . something kind of like SteamOS . . . I know!!!
I give you: VaporOS!

Or, since GamerOS is bulding some Steam... VigorOS?


Last edited by Mohandevir on 24 July 2020 at 8:34 pm UTC
mao_dze_dun Jul 25, 2020
I always considered SteamOS doomed. Also what is the point when ypy vsn just boot in Steam at startup. I'd be way more excited for a TV friendly Lutris or similar software.
Purple Library Guy Jul 26, 2020
Quoting: Mohandevir
Quoting: Purple Library Guy
Quoting: Linuxeridk
Quoting: MohandevirBeeePOS!

Like in "Beep! OS"? Or in "Bee Positive OS"? or in "Biiig Picture OS"?

Nevermind!

Sériously, finding a name for that OS, that is not SteamOS, considering what it does, is not an easy task, if you want a significant name. It does some retro gaming, else it is dedicated to Steam...
Hmmm . . . something kind of like SteamOS . . . I know!!!
I give you: VaporOS!

I guess many of the GoL community members are already aware, but for the record...
https://vaporos.net/
I had no idea. Didn't expect anyone to be gutsy enough to call their own project vaporware!
ShabbyX Jul 26, 2020
Another happy user here! I installed on my (super weak) couch pc for indie games in steam as well as stepmania. Works perfectly well.
slaapliedje Jul 29, 2020
Quoting: MohandevirPlagman was quite clear that they were seriously considering an alternative to Debian. SteamOS 2.0 is based on Debian 8, which is now eol and SteamOS 3.0 (Debian 9) was never released:

https://www.gamingonlinux.com/articles/seems-valve-do-intend-to-go-back-to-steamos-at-some-point.16291

Seems quite indicative to me:
"I wouldn't expect much more movement on Debian-based Brewmaster at this point, however."
That was one guy who more or less ranted that he didn't like .deb packaging.
Wasn't quite clear that whatever team they have working on it agreed.

Also, I thought they had a beta on 9 or 10?
Mohandevir Jul 29, 2020
Quoting: slaapliedje
Quoting: MohandevirPlagman was quite clear that they were seriously considering an alternative to Debian. SteamOS 2.0 is based on Debian 8, which is now eol and SteamOS 3.0 (Debian 9) was never released:

https://www.gamingonlinux.com/articles/seems-valve-do-intend-to-go-back-to-steamos-at-some-point.16291

Also, I thought they had a beta on 9 or 10?

The answer is in my initial comment.

http://repo.steamstatic.com/steamos-clockwerk/


Last edited by Mohandevir on 29 July 2020 at 8:23 pm UTC
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