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A third of Valve now working on VR, still no Linux support

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A Valve developer on reddit has talked a bit about Valve and VR, and he specifically stated that a third of Valve is now working on VR. A third of Valve, yet still no Linux support.

From reddit:
QuoteI was super fortunate to start at Valve right around the time Michael Abrash had begun the AR/VR research team. It was a much smaller team then than it is now, it has since grown to encompass about a third of the company, but the key individuals that solved most of the really hard technological problems and facilitated this generation of consumer headsets are still here working on the next generation.


I would really love to know what the holdup is, as usual communicate from Valve is pants on the matter. I pointed it out in my recent editorial on how Valve need to step up and properly support their SteamOS effort.

I would absolutely love to buy a proper VR headset like the Vive, but for now they are not getting my money. Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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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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33 comments
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MrTennessee17 Jun 21, 2016
How does VR work with people who have to wear glasses?
aL Jun 21, 2016
Quoting: MrTennessee17How does VR work with people who have to wear glasses?

yes

Quoting: MaelraneI would like to have the opportunity to run a vive on linux, but to be honest I too think that VR is a hype for many years to come.

Like with 3D (television), VR comes up every few years/decades and I still don't see technology anywhere near to be usable by the broad masses.

And let's face it: without the masses, no money, without money no show... simply as that in a capitalistic world.

Im afraid you are wrong. You clearly havent try them yet.

This is the first generation that is good... and the second generation can only be even more awesome... I can understand 1/3 of valve working on apps for this... (probably hl3 to be honest.. With this it can be up to the hype)

And I say im afraid because this quit the focus on linux... :(
Philadelphus Jun 21, 2016
I suppose those of us who don't care about virtual reality can look on the bright side: 2/3 of Valve is still working on things that aren't VR! :P
ElectricPrism Jun 21, 2016
Quoting: GuestBut its VR!!! Your actually INSIDE a VIRTUAL WORLD!! That is some science fiction shit! In a few years we will all be in the Matrix!

The Matrix? Well shit I'm out.

Quoting: aLI installed windows 7 just for the vive... and to be able to develop for the vive... :(

Ive been windows free for almost 10 years

Sorry guys... but vr is too exciting for me... :(

I just bought a second computer for it, to avoid touching my main rig...

If you hadn't already dropped the cash I would have recommended doing a VGA passthrough on an exclusive GPU and using Windows As A Service aka Redhat Virtual Machine manager style.

Throw in a dedicated SSD and a second monitor and you can have all the VR you want on Linux in the now.

I think it's a bit fair that a developer get and use windows for work reasons, the love of Linux will draw you back. Hopefully by then Valve will have released their Linux drivers.

I tried using a Windows Gaming Slave and I have to say for some reason it disappointed me greatly, maybe all the games I used to play just are boring now and not relevant to me.


Last edited by ElectricPrism on 21 June 2016 at 8:38 pm UTC
Selthus Jun 21, 2016
In my opinion this is extremely troubling. Valve is dedicating that much labor to the Vive and they can't be bothered with Linux support? This coming from the company that touted Linux as the future of gaming...

It's hard to see this as anything but Valve silently shelving Steam for Linux. My best guess is the Vive is Valve's plan B to keep people logging into Steam in the eventuality that something like UWP does gain traction.

They are just throwing what they can at the wall to see what sticks as a competitive advantage. Since the Steam Machines didn't stick, on to VR.

Oh well. Can't wait for this hype to die down. After all, there is no way an $800 peripheral is going to be anything more than a niche item. I don't care how unique / awe-inspiring the experience is.

Disappointing. It's nice that Linux is getting PS Vita-level life support from indies, but when big name games go silent on support, confirmed ports getting delay after delay, and now Valve is pulling the same crap? Is the writing on the wall?
Mountain Man Jun 22, 2016
Quoting: SelthusIn my opinion this is extremely troubling. Valve is dedicating that much labor to the Vive and they can't be bothered with Linux support?
You're a "glass is half-empty" type of thinker, aren't you?

Another way to look at it is that by dedicating so many resources to VR, it will allow them to bring it to Linux even faster.
Storminator16 Jun 22, 2016
Quoting: cRaZy-bisCuiTI don't give a d**n - who cares about VR?

I feel a new meme coming on.

I don't give a d**n - who cares about green eggs and ham!
Selthus Jun 22, 2016
Quoting: Mountain ManYou're a "glass is half-empty" type of thinker, aren't you?

Another way to look at it is that by dedicating so many resources to VR, it will allow them to bring it to Linux even faster.

I use Linux as a gaming OS. I think describing me as anything but hopelessly optimistic would be a misnomer.

Maybe I was a little too doom and gloom in my last post. I simply think between all the valve games being ported and Vulkan involvement, Valve seemed super invested in steamos/linux and now that focus looks to be shifted.

I guess I'd rather steamos get that amount of attention over the vive and that's probably an extremely unrealistic expectation to have.

Either way I don't want to derail the thread!
Qantourisc Jun 22, 2016
Another great thing about all these companies working on VR: reduced input lag, weather you like VR or not, this is good.
bubexel Jun 22, 2016
Third of valve? 33.3333333333333333333333333333...%?
i see to much 3's, and that number become strange from a company that hate number 3. Is it a hidden message? it means... HALF LIFE 3 CONFIRMED!

Btw, those that talking bad about vr without testing, really, test it somehow. In just 30 seconds you will see it's the future of gaming, there is no way back anymore.


Last edited by bubexel on 22 June 2016 at 11:17 am UTC
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