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The latest Steam Hardware Survey and Linux has dropped down again, but the change is so small it's practically insignificant.

It shows that Linux dropped -0.04% to a total of 0.80%. Now I should remind you that does not mean there are less Linux players on Steam. It's likely that Windows has just grown quicker than Linux has.

SteamOS and Steam Big Picture are still not included in the survey and it's a manual survey, so you're not included in it unless you get the pop-up asking you to submit your details.

The problem is, this type of survey isn't all that good for measuring the operating system, it's more for the hardware side of things. Especially since you can trigger it by changing distro, changing to Windows, Linux or Mac, changing graphics card etc. You also only get it when you login, so if you're logged in for a long time over the period it's done, you will never see it.

So, basically, don't put too much thought into the OS side of it. And ignore anyone who uses that mark as a way of claiming Linux is at it's lowest ever level (no, I don't hate Phoronix, I just think that's an idiotic and uninformed headline from someone who should know better), or Linux gaming is dying or something.

Why do I still bother to cover this? Simple! To shout out the fact that we have our own statistics page you can visit any time, which I just updated so it's nice and fresh for you! Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
Tags: Editorial, Steam
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About the author -
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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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38 comments
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fabry92 Jul 2, 2016
first time linux suvrey yesterday XD
Snev Jul 2, 2016
Strange while actually this has happened: http://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2016/07/linux-marketshare-reaches-2-percent


Last edited by Snev on 2 July 2016 at 10:20 am UTC
D34VA_ Jul 2, 2016
Good to know you understand the concept of proportional mathematics, Liam. Too many people put too much faith or value on numbers, not considering the bigger picture or the context.
Tuxee Jul 2, 2016
The new stats page is nice. But could you add percentage to the absolute figures? E.g. RAM - 16GB "319/40%"
wolfyrion Jul 2, 2016
That was ovious

20 Games Top Sellers, Only 5 Titles to Linux

Games like

DOOM,Rocket League,The Witcher 3,Dark Souls 3,Rise of The Tomb Raider etc

You think anyone who is a Pro GAMER etc,would switch to Linux?

For what? To play 2+ years old games and even with lower performance?

Like it or not thats the harsh true .

Linux still has a long road ahead and hopefully one day would be treated equaly in both new game releases and performance.
lucifertdark Jul 2, 2016
I got the latest survey on both Linux & Windows, I refused the Windows one of course & went ahead with the more important one.

It's still not accurate, if they want it accurate they need to send it to EVERY single steam user all at once, then we'd see how well or badly Linux is actually doing & make the complete one Mandatory instead of optional.


Last edited by lucifertdark on 2 July 2016 at 10:38 am UTC
herycp Jul 2, 2016
in 3 year im using steam (in linux) never get this survey
Gobo Jul 2, 2016
Quoting: SnevStrange while actually this has happened: http://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2016/07/linux-marketshare-reaches-2-percent

I was about to quote the same netmarketshare report and point out that it took roughly 8 years to double the market share. Let's see how the trend will work out after the free but forced Win10 migration wave.

Btw: I just spotted Liam down in the comments on OMG Ubuntu ;)


Last edited by Gobo on 2 July 2016 at 12:27 pm UTC
reaVer Jul 2, 2016
You get more windows reports because the windows system crashes and reboots itself almost daily. While the Linux systems tend to run forever.
Mohandevir Jul 2, 2016
Just a guess... Is it possible that the forced Win10 upgrade is triggering a lot more survey request to Win10 users because of the configuration change?

It would reflect in a Linux percentage drop, giving a wrong image of the real Linux marketshare.

Things might come back to normal after July 29th...
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