It was likely no secret to most Linux users who know a bit about distributions but Valve has clarified directly that the main reason for dumping Debian Linux for Arch Linux was for faster updates.
Previous versions of SteamOS were based on Debian which has a fresh release every 2 years or so, where during that time most of the software stack is frozen in place. For a Linux gaming device, that's obviously not ideal. Gaming on Linux as a whole often needs more up to date packages because everything moves so quickly. Especially for Steam Play Proton, which has at multiple times needed updates to various packages and newer GPU drivers. Arch Linux on the other hand rolls over constantly with updates and so it gives Valve the flexibility they're needing to more easily pull them in.
PC Gamer, one of the lucky few who recently went to the Valve HQ spoke to Valve designer, Lawrence Yang:
"So, Arch Linux, one of the main reasons, there's a couple, but the main reason is the rolling updates of Arch allows us to have more rapid development for SteamOS 3.0," says Yang. "We were making a bunch of updates and changes to specifically make sure that things work well for Steam deck, and Arch just ended up being a better choice for them."
Valve upgrades the Steam Client constantly and no doubt they will be doing the same with SteamOS 3 once the Steam Deck actually rolls out. Having finer control over everything that they would get with Arch Linux is basically a no-brainer, as is the huge availability of software that comes with Arch and the AUR (Arch User Repository), something that will be a big boon for the desktop mode.
It's not likely that SteamOS 3 will just plainly update directly from Arch though, as that could end up messy. They will likely bundle updates together once they've been firmly tested. More like a Manjaro approach but with more clear QA done.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
Spoiler, click me
Anyway I do respect most distros, and totally understand versions-release scheme match use cases, it just doesn't fit me.
no_information_here Aug 10, 2021
My guess: Because Canonical can't decide what it wants with the desktop. Trying to remove the 32bit libs was a boneheaded move.
I am very happy that Valve is using KDE for the desktop mode!
As a Debian user I guess I should be disappointed by them choosing Arch. But why? We should celebrate open platforms. The lack of vendor lock in, and how easy it is to move from one distro to another!
Quoting: dosQuoting: EikeAFAIK the main Linux developer at Valve doesn't like Debian's package format.
If that's true, then I don't think it's worth discussing any other reasons. This one is the only one that matters :P
Would be interesting to know the details on that however since it doesn't make any sense.
Quoting: F.UltraQuoting: dosQuoting: EikeAFAIK the main Linux developer at Valve doesn't like Debian's package format.
If that's true, then I don't think it's worth discussing any other reasons. This one is the only one that matters :P
Would be interesting to know the details on that however since it doesn't make any sense.
Still waiting for someone to jump in and show the source...
Debian is, at it's core, a rolling distribution. It is interrupted every two years by a few months long freeze period when the release happens. But that is meant for servers and enterprise environments, where stability is paramount. If you want bleeding edge, you just keep on rolling.
The simple truth is that a lot of technology choices are quite arbitrary, and are very often based on personal preferences. We talk about the best tool for the job, and like to compare things to each other. But often they are not better or worse, just different.
Even though I am a Debian fanboy, I think what Valve is doing is very cool, and I will happily run SteamOS/Arch on my Steam Deck. Although I am going to replace KDE with GNOME, because of course you would.
Quoting: LinasDebian is not perfect, but lack of updates is not the reason why they switched. At least not the way you think.
Debian is, at it's core, a rolling distribution. It is interrupted every two years by a few months long freeze period when the release happens. But that is meant for servers and enterprise environments, where stability is paramount. If you want bleeding edge, you just keep on rolling.
The simple truth is that a lot of technology choices are quite arbitrary, and are very often based on personal preferences. We talk about the best tool for the job, and like to compare things to each other. But often they are not better or worse, just different.
Even though I am a Debian fanboy, I think what Valve is doing is very cool, and I will happily run SteamOS/Arch on my Steam Deck. Although I am going to replace KDE with GNOME, because of course you would.
I'm not sure if this was intended to be a response to my post, but let me clarify.
Even Debian Sid is not usually as up to date (especially when it comes to graphics drivers) as Arch. Also, it is in my experience more trouble to manage a Sid installation than it is to manage an Arch installation (of course Debian stable is one of the easiest distributions to manage of all, but that's not relevant here). Sid is intended for experimentation/development of upcoming stable versions of Debian, while Arch is intended to be used by people who like to live on the bleeding edge. Either one could be used as a basis for Steam OS of course, but Arch is likely to be a better fit for Valve's purposes. That's not to say it isn't a close call.
Quoting: EikeQuoting: F.UltraQuoting: dosQuoting: EikeAFAIK the main Linux developer at Valve doesn't like Debian's package format.
If that's true, then I don't think it's worth discussing any other reasons. This one is the only one that matters :P
Would be interesting to know the details on that however since it doesn't make any sense.
Still waiting for someone to jump in and show the source...
I found this old mentioning, but not the original...
"Jean Loup Griffais has said they were a bit tired of using the debian tools."
Last edited by Eike on 12 August 2021 at 7:50 am UTC
Patreon
PayPal
See more from me