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Android Police have an article up mentioning that Google is reportedly working on getting Steam working officially and supported on Chrome OS. While the details of this are a little sketchy, since neither Valve or Google have announced this, Android Police claim they spoke directly to Kan Liu at CES, the Director of Product Management for Google's Chrome OS who told them of their plans to make it happen.

Note: You can get Steam working on it in some form with some manual effort now, although it's not great. This seems to be about making it all official. Having it properly integrated, enabling ease of use would be good, part of what Chrome OS is supposed to be about—being simple and easy.

Weird though, typical Google perhaps with plans that don't quite fit into what they're doing elsewhere. Since Google are pushing their own gaming service with Stadia, you wouldn't expect them to do this. Gaming is a massive and powerful market though, giving a big boost to Chrome OS and Chromebooks with advertising that it works with Steam could definitely make some waves.

Chromebooks have historically been quite low-powered devices, for the most part anyway. However, that has been changing and they're continuing to get beefier devices with more storage (which would be important for this) out across different manufacturers. With more powerful AMD-based Chromebooks apparently planned, it might actually make a little sense given they would actually be able to run some of the games on Steam for Linux.

Another reason why developers may want to ensure their games work on Linux to then gain Chrome OS compatibility too? Sure, sounds good. Let's not get ahead of ourselves though, this type of project could be a long time away if it ever happens. Who knows, could be one of the reasons or just a possible use case for Valve's Gamescope.

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Eike Jan 17, 2020
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I don't understand the motivation at Google for this either, but maybe it might motivate them to, erm, motivate the developers releasing on Stadia to make native Linux versions as well?

PS: I still find it interesting that Chromebooks are near to nonexisting in Germany, while seemingly a big thing at some places (namely the US)...
iiari Jan 17, 2020
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Yeah, very confusing... From the moment Chrome OS supported Linux apps, I thought Steam would have been priority 1 from the beginning, since the lack of gaming has been a big reason some people haven't invested in Chromebooks for their families. But once Stadia arrived, it was obvious why Steam wouldn't be a focus. And, for low spec Chromebooks that exist as cloud based machines without much storage, Stadia makes far more sense than a native Steam, but perhaps they are actually referring to Google working with Valve on the inevitable future Steam streaming service. Google by design or by their disorganization, while making their own services, realize that their platforms need to play well with other companies, and they haven't tried to leverage their "garden" to prevent others from entering. As an early Android fan, I wish they'd more limited their services to Google devices as a competitive tactic, but they've been focused on their services being on everything from iOS to Windows phone when it existed, so who knows?
Linas Jan 17, 2020
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In Denmark I see people using Linux on their laptops from time to time. MacBooks are very popular. But I don't think I have ever seen a Chromebook, either in use, or in a shop. Not anywhere in Northern or Eastern Europe for that matter.
Redneck Jan 17, 2020
It already works! I am a proud owner of an Asus C302ca and most (if not all) of the newer Chromebooks include the Play Store.
So I basically installed Steam for Android and I'm perfectly able to stream games from my HTPC.

I didn't test the Steam controller yet, but probably tomorrow I will test some csgo steaming with Mouse/KB and see how playable it is
tuubi Jan 17, 2020
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Quoting: LinasIn Denmark I see people using Linux on their laptops from time to time. MacBooks are very popular. But I don't think I have ever seen a Chromebook, either in use, or in a shop. Not anywhere in Northern or Eastern Europe for that matter.
I've never seen one either.
Liam Dawe Jan 17, 2020
Quoting: RedneckIt already works! I am a proud owner of an Asus C302ca and most (if not all) of the newer Chromebooks include the Play Store.
So I basically installed Steam for Android and I'm perfectly able to stream games from my HTPC.

I didn't test the Steam controller yet, but probably tomorrow I will test some csgo steaming with Mouse/KB and see how playable it is
We're not talking about Steam for Android.
Zelox Jan 17, 2020
Im confused :S. Can you even game on a chrome book, its cloud based right ?
Yes valve seems to be working on support for a cloud based gaming, similer to microsofts xcloud or googles stadia.

But google already got stadia for cloud gaming, so why do they need steam?
Maybe its valve who needs chrome os, or maybe steamOs needs help from chrome os?

But lets hope for more good news for linux and steam for linux :).
Sadly Iv gone back to microsoft alot do to gaming and school :/, its okey,
but I prefer linux if I hade that option.


Last edited by Zelox on 17 January 2020 at 4:15 pm UTC
DamonLinuxPL Jan 17, 2020
Quoting: tuubi
Quoting: LinasIn Denmark I see people using Linux on their laptops from time to time. MacBooks are very popular. But I don't think I have ever seen a Chromebook, either in use, or in a shop. Not anywhere in Northern or Eastern Europe for that matter.
I've never seen one either.

In Poland, Linux market share in some of stats is about ~2% and ChromeOS only at 0.09%, even if you can buy almost any ChromeBook model in Polish stores.
Linas Jan 17, 2020
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Quoting: RedneckIt already works! I am a proud owner of an Asus C302ca and most (if not all) of the newer Chromebooks include the Play Store.
So I basically installed Steam for Android and I'm perfectly able to stream games from my HTPC.
I think you mean the Steam Link app for streaming.

And Steam for Android is just a companion app, it doesn't allow you to play any games.
KohlyKohl Jan 17, 2020
Quoting: DamonLinuxPL
Quoting: tuubi
Quoting: LinasIn Denmark I see people using Linux on their laptops from time to time. MacBooks are very popular. But I don't think I have ever seen a Chromebook, either in use, or in a shop. Not anywhere in Northern or Eastern Europe for that matter.
I've never seen one either.

In Poland, Linux market share in some of stats is about ~2% and ChromeOS only at 0.09%, even if you can buy almost any ChromeBook model in Polish stores.

The biggest reason that Chrome OS is so popular is the US is because they replaced iPads in schools.
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