I'm always interested to see what happens with the Linux market share on Steam, especially the bigger picture. Here's an alternative look at the Linux market share on Steam.
Credit to GOL fan "hardpenguin" for his idea, to check on how the rise of "Simplified Chinese" as a market on Steam has directly affected the Linux market share. The results are—interesting.
I should state that, while obvious to some, people still get confused by all this (especially me, I'm only human after all). We are talking about percentages, not absolute numbers. We have no idea what the real numbers are behind this, only the percentages Valve give us by surveying a set of their user base.
First of all, let's take a look at what's happened to the overall Linux market share as shown by Valve in their hardware survey. It doesn't look good, but keep reading after.
As I said, that looks like an unhappy chart. Over that exact same time period, let’s look at what happened on Steam with “Simplified Chinese” as a language in comparison with English:
Well then—that’s some big growth you’ve got there. One month can be written off as an anomaly, but the trend is clear there. So what happens when you compare what Steam shows as the overall Linux market share, against that same market share when you take out Simplified Chinese and when you’re just looking at English:
So, from our experiment here, it shows Linux is currently in a decline in terms of "overall market share" on Steam. No need to sugarcoat it or hide from it, the data is there. However, it's nothing close to how bad it may seem, given that you should obviously see how Simplified Chinese rising sharply has directly affected it, it's clear as day when you simply remove it.
To mention an important fact, Steam is not just growing in Asia, as shown by Valve's own info. Before we get people looking at the lines without Simplified Chinese and thinking Linux is going down by itself anyway. It's just that Asia has grown more rapidly than others. It's quite clearly a Windows-orientated marked too, so even if Linux has actually grown during that time, it's just been massively outpaced. The point? It's not as bad as it seems.
Something to keep in mind, that I’ve mentioned before numerous times: Steam is constantly growing. We don’t know what the true numbers are, so it’s literally impossible to get the real picture. As mentioned at the start, we just don’t know what the total amount is each time they do the Steam Hardware Survey in terms of the amount of people surveyed and the total amount of registered Steam users.
The fact remains that a lower percentage for Linux one month, against a higher overall number of users, can end up as an increase in total numbers of Linux gamers on Steam. I'm not saying it is or it isn't though. For us to know if the real amount of people using Linux for gaming on Steam is higher or lower, we need Valve to release the actual numbers behind the curtains. Something many people have been repeatedly asking for.
What will be interesting to see, is how Linux bounces back once the hype around certain popular games begins to fade. I don't want to repeat what I've already said too much, but it will happen. I imagine it will be at least a year before we see that happen and how far will Linux progress behind the scenes in that time to be ready? The open source Mesa drivers have come along at a staggering pace to improve AMD performance on Linux, decent VR supporting is slowly coming along, we've got games being released all the time and more. What we need to think about, is preparing for the bubble bursting back in our favour.
This was an interesting way to spend a Saturday evening, I shall return to our normal Linux gaming news on Monday!
Note: All this data was manually gathered and sorted by me, using the data available from Valve. Credit would be appreciated it you pinch it.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
Quoting: Boogiepop_PhantomProbably off-topic, so put it under spoiler.
Spoiler, click me
Quoting: Boogiepop_PhantomAll the most horrible atrocities were commit by states, governments. Look at 20th century and even now. Corporations are little children compared to them.
Well... Companies have never been so powerful. So this might be subject to change.
Mohandevir Dec 4, 2017
https://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=news_item&px=Gallium3D-NIR-Link-Opts
Valve still cares and is still investing in Linux. They wouldn't bother with that otherwise.
Something will happen regarding this, I'm not going to put all my faith in that, but it smells like an AMD based Steam Machine or something similar is on the way... Maybe... Hopefully...
How I would like to see Valve release it's own Steam Machine (no third party involved) with only one or two hardware specs (like PS4 Slim and PS4 Pro) along with a complete SteamOS overhaul.
Quoting: MohandevirLooking at this:Well, if they came out with an AMD-based Steam Machine, it could end up being a fair bit cheaper than an Intel model and still perform really well. It also gives them an advantage there, with the open drivers that they can help shape and control updates closer.
https://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=news_item&px=Gallium3D-NIR-Link-Opts
Valve still cares and is still investing in Linux. They wouldn't bother with that otherwise.
Something will happen regarding this, I'm not going to put all my faith in that, but it smells like an AMD based Steam Machine or something similar is on the way... Maybe... Hopefully...
How I would like to see Valve release it's own Steam Machine (no third party involved) with only one or two hardware specs (like PS4 Slim and PS4 Pro) along with a complete SteamOS overhaul.
It doesn't sound too far-fetched either, considering all the Mesa work Valve has employed people to do. Although they previously mentioned a large part of that was to get VR in shape on Linux.
Mohandevir Dec 4, 2017
Quoting: liamdaweQuoting: MohandevirLooking at this:Well, if they came out with an AMD-based Steam Machine, it could end up being a fair bit cheaper than an Intel model and still perform really well. It also gives them an advantage there, with the open drivers that they can help shape and control updates closer.
https://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=news_item&px=Gallium3D-NIR-Link-Opts
Valve still cares and is still investing in Linux. They wouldn't bother with that otherwise.
Something will happen regarding this, I'm not going to put all my faith in that, but it smells like an AMD based Steam Machine or something similar is on the way... Maybe... Hopefully...
How I would like to see Valve release it's own Steam Machine (no third party involved) with only one or two hardware specs (like PS4 Slim and PS4 Pro) along with a complete SteamOS overhaul.
It doesn't sound too far-fetched either, considering all the Mesa work Valve has employed people to do. Although they previously mentioned a large part of that was to get VR in shape on Linux.
Steam VR... Yes.
Sony has it's own VR Headset to go along the PS4... Same for future Steam Machine?
Edit: Might not be their intention at all, but nobody else is in a better position than Valve to sell consoles under cost like Microsoft and Sony are doing.
Last edited by Mohandevir on 4 December 2017 at 3:09 pm UTC
Quoting: liamdaweWell, if they came out with an AMD-based Steam Machine, it could end up being a fair bit cheaper than an Intel model and still perform really well. It also gives them an advantage there, with the open drivers that they can help shape and control updates closer.
It doesn't sound too far-fetched either, considering all the Mesa work Valve has employed people to do. Although they previously mentioned a large part of that was to get VR in shape on Linux.
Although people still want those F2P, AA, AAA games. Unless valve make a move to wrap games up in WINE and port using say flatpack then there is still a gap no matter how cheap the unit is, perhaps they could incentivize developers by taking less of a cut on each sale ?
Maybe Valve will make a target VR platform. SteamOS2 might be a VR centric unit with the headset bundled.
Vulkan, AMD drivers with new low latency modes implemented (by valve), a free OS with as you said reduced cost using AMD hardware. They cut a deal and it becomes the cheapest, most stable and fastest way to VR on PC.
After all there isn't the gulf of VR titles between Windows and Linux just yet
Last edited by on 4 December 2017 at 4:09 pm UTC
Quoting: meggermanAlthough people still want those F2P, AA, AAA games. Unless valve make a move to wrap games up in WINE and port using say flatpack...While I don't subscribe to John Carmack's idea that everyone should just forget porting to Linux and rely on WINE instead, I think there is a case to be made for a standardized WINE setup as part of Steam's Linux runtime to encourage adoption. A lot (a lot) of Windows games would just work straight out of the box, and it might encourage reluctant developers to dip their toes in the water if “porting” to SteamOS were just a case of tweaking their existing code a little.
Obviously some games don't work too well under WINE, so there'd have to be some kind of testing and certification process before a Windows game got its SteamOS logo (maybe in collaboration with the existing AppDB), otherwise the program could actually do more harm than good with SteamOS gaining a reputation for running games poorly, but I think it's definitely somthing Valve should be considering at this stage.
To be clear: I'm absolutely not suggesting it as a long-term solution, but as a sort of kick-start, maybe restricted to existing titles rather than new ones (think of the way GoG bundles DOSBox, but for more recent games), it might help.
Quoting: MohandevirLooking at this:
https://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=news_item&px=Gallium3D-NIR-Link-Opts
Valve still cares and is still investing in Linux. They wouldn't bother with that otherwise.
Something will happen regarding this, I'm not going to put all my faith in that, but it smells like an AMD based Steam Machine or something similar is on the way... Maybe... Hopefully...
How I would like to see Valve release it's own Steam Machine (no third party involved) with only one or two hardware specs (like PS4 Slim and PS4 Pro) along with a complete SteamOS overhaul.
I would not completely rule out a Valve-produced device, but it would be against their general reasoning regarding the value to gaming of an open market of upgradeable hardware.
To produce something compelling at a similar price point ( c.f. XBox / PS4 ), Valve would likely have to follow a similar route, contracting AMD to produce semi-custom designs. They could yet do that; it depends on where the market pressures fall.
Valve support Linux because it is the leading platform amongst those that are unowned and uncontrolled. Valve have clearly helped make Linux a more viable platform for gamers, but I think it would be a mistake to assume this means they view Linux the same way evangelical Linux supporters do.
Mohandevir Dec 4, 2017
Quoting: etonbearsQuoting: MohandevirLooking at this:
https://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=news_item&px=Gallium3D-NIR-Link-Opts
Valve still cares and is still investing in Linux. They wouldn't bother with that otherwise.
Something will happen regarding this, I'm not going to put all my faith in that, but it smells like an AMD based Steam Machine or something similar is on the way... Maybe... Hopefully...
How I would like to see Valve release it's own Steam Machine (no third party involved) with only one or two hardware specs (like PS4 Slim and PS4 Pro) along with a complete SteamOS overhaul.
I would not completely rule out a Valve-produced device, but it would be against their general reasoning regarding the value to gaming of an open market of upgradeable hardware.
To produce something compelling at a similar price point ( c.f. XBox / PS4 ), Valve would likely have to follow a similar route, contracting AMD to produce semi-custom designs. They could yet do that; it depends on where the market pressures fall.
Valve support Linux because it is the leading platform amongst those that are unowned and uncontrolled. Valve have clearly helped make Linux a more viable platform for gamers, but I think it would be a mistake to assume this means they view Linux the same way evangelical Linux supporters do.
Edit 1: I don't know why, it didn't record my comment... So here it is:
True enough, but I started to think it possible when Atari announced an AMD based custom hardware that is compatible with x86 platform for the Ataribox.
Couldn't Valve follow the same path with a more powerfull offer? The logic is "if you want a small footprint, buy a Steam Machine but if you want upgradbility, build a full fledged PC." Afterall, Alienware and Zotac were official Steam Machines and were lacking upgradability...
Edit 2: Removed my initial comment that was in the middle of quote.
Last edited by Mohandevir on 4 December 2017 at 6:15 pm UTC
Quoting: MohandevirQuoting: etonbearsQuoting: MohandevirLooking at this:
https://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=news_item&px=Gallium3D-NIR-Link-Opts
Valve still cares and is still investing in Linux. They wouldn't bother with that otherwise.
Something will happen regarding this, I'm not going to put all my faith in that, but it smells like an AMD based Steam Machine or something similar is on the way... Maybe... Hopefully...
How I would like to see Valve release it's own Steam Machine (no third party involved) with only one or two hardware specs (like PS4 Slim and PS4 Pro) along with a complete SteamOS overhaul.
I would not completely rule out a Valve-produced device, but it would be against their general reasoning regarding the value to gaming of an open market of upgradeable hardware.
To produce something compelling at a similar price point ( c.f. XBox / PS4 ), Valve would likely have to follow a similar route, contracting AMD to produce semi-custom designs. They could yet do that; it depends on where the market pressures fall.
Valve support Linux because it is the leading platform amongst those that are unowned and uncontrolled. Valve have clearly helped make Linux a more viable platform for gamers, but I think it would be a mistake to assume this means they view Linux the same way evangelical Linux supporters do.
Edit 1: I don't know why, it didn't record my comment... So here it is:
True enough, but I started to think it possible when Atari announced an AMD based custom hardware that is compatible with x86 platform for the Ataribox.
Couldn't Valve follow the same path with a more powerfull offer?
Edit 2: Removed my initial comment that was in the middle of quote.
Valve absolutely could produce a box of their own - and it would probably be good - and they still may do so.
But their original gambit with SteamOS/Linux was around uniting the many companies involved in the PC games industry in a collaborative open ecosystem for the benefit of all; and to avoid Valve becoming roadkill to proprietary lock-in ( specifically the threat of Windows store ). For this to succeed, they must not appear to put themselves in a position of advantage or control while encouraging developers to write games/software for SteamOS/Linux, and hardware manufacturers to offer console-like upgradeable games-friendly PCs.
So they work mostly in the background to push things along, while trying to get the ecosystem robust. Clearly, they are having some success with the software side, due in no small part to the main game engines supporting Linux, but there doesn't appear to be much traction in the hardware side. I think it is difficult for PC manufacturers to come up with anything compelling using off-the-shelf parts. The Dell/Zotac machines are no more than interesting, are no better value than self-build, and can't easily be used for other purposes than Big-Picture gaming ( SteamOS really doesn't do anything else well ).
Valve risk damaging what hardware industry support they have if they build a Steam PC themselves ( arguably Steam Link already caused damage by removing streaming as a Steam hardware selling point ). But, if they get to the point where no company wants to partner with them on hardware, that is when they are most likely to produce a box of their own.
Quoting: ShmerlI'd say they failed pretty badly at pushing supported gaming consoles with Linux. Their effort of Steam machines was underwhelming.Depends on what they wanted to achieve in the first place. If they wanted to create a PS4 like thingie, sure, they failed horribly. But, this is what I believe more, if they wanted to mostly give a hint to other competitors that they can move into other directions if they want to, I guess then it wasn't too bad.
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