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Latest Comments by sub
Ars Technica Benchmarks Show Windows 10 Beating SteamOS Performance
14 Nov 2015 at 2:08 pm UTC Likes: 2

Quoting: PeciskI personally don't think Vulkan is any kind of salvation here.
It's not a guaranteed salvation but there's a good chance it will help to get some more AAA games to SteamOS.

Quoting: PeciskBinary drivers just has to get better.
Yeah, but here lies exactly the big opportunity.
Vulkan drivers are significantly lower level and slimmer than OpenGL drivers.
Hence, easier to write and test.

However, much responsibility and control is transferred to the application developers.

But that is exactly what the AAA-Million-Dollar-Blockbuster-Developers were asking for.
Maybe not so much your creative indie buddy - but they can still use OpenGL.

TL;DR

Vulkan has the potential to make a difference.

Ars Technica Benchmarks Show Windows 10 Beating SteamOS Performance
14 Nov 2015 at 12:52 am UTC

IMHO the impact of those articles, albeit partly or fully true, is huge!

We all know: "There is no second chance to make a first impression".
And this is exactly what I'm afraid of when it comes to the Steam Machines.

While *we* know that there is a good chance Vulkan and other improvements
of the environment might eventually lead to a very good and competitive platform,
most of those articles (maybe intentionally) don't make that clear.

Even worse, it feels like they want to prove that Steam Machines with SteamOS are crap.
And they're doing a damn fine job at this.

I'm really puzzled about Valve's PR department when it comes to the SteamOS.
I'd say they're doing a terrible job. Am I missing anything?

AMD Radeon Software Crimson Driver Announced, Completely Redesigned From The Ground Up
6 Nov 2015 at 3:39 pm UTC

Is this Crimson stuff really about the driver?

It seems this is more about the UI of the control center.
And it's not even clear if this will also cover Linux.

New Linux Gaming Survey For November
3 Nov 2015 at 9:43 pm UTC Likes: 1

Thanks for your work!

Under Steam Machines, I missed a point like:
"I'm waiting until the platform gets more mature. (Vulkan, more AAA-Titles, etc...)"

Btw, this is something most reviews totally miss.
It's not like the Steam Machines are "released" like a console.
They are a moving target and the best is yet to come.

Still, most influential news sites provide mostly negative reviews
on the status quo and miss out how Valve is working on the whole
environment, including developer tools (profiling, debugging),
encouraging the graphics companies to provide better drivers,
pushing Vulkan and so forth...

Yet, I almost all comments on those influential websites tell you
in unison that the Steam Machines will fail because they're utter crap
and you don't get AAA-games.

Sadly, it seems Valve's PR-department is totally failing when it comes
to the SteamOS/Steam Machines. And THIS is worrisome to me.

Oh yeah, wrong place to complain about this. Sorry. :)

Borderlands 2 & Borderlands The Pre-Sequel Updated
30 Oct 2015 at 9:39 am UTC

And still no official AMD support...

Divinity: Original Sin - Enhanced Edition Delayed For Linux, Again
21 Oct 2015 at 2:28 pm UTC

It's not unrealistic that by now the dog of a sub-sub-sub-contractor is in charge for the port.
So don't hold your breath.

Payday 2 SteamOS Version Delayed Until Next Year
21 Oct 2015 at 11:37 am UTC Likes: 1

Could also be simply a hint that the official launch of SteamOS/SteamMachines is pushed back (a bit) as Payday 2 for SteamOS was somehow marketed as a launch title.

Steam Controller Motion Controls Look Very Slick
21 Oct 2015 at 11:32 am UTC Likes: 1

Heck, that looks great!

Only rushing through the reviews, I totally must have missed that featured.
I'm impressed by the responsiveness, i.e. very low latency.
Everything else seems to be a matter of fine tuning.

Magicka 2 Looks Like It Will Have Lower Performance On AMD Cards
17 Oct 2015 at 8:39 am UTC

Quoting: MaelraneIf in the future there is no more competition and there only is nvidia, well... I'll happily stop gaming then. nvidia doesn't offer open source drivers, they use shady tactics, they betray, the lie, they are simply one of the worst companies on this planet and all they stand for is what I deem wrong with this society.
But... but... but... don't you know they have the most best fantasticomarvelous Linux graphics driver?
Join the winners, they have cookies!

Magicka 2 Looks Like It Will Have Lower Performance On AMD Cards
15 Oct 2015 at 1:13 pm UTC Likes: 2

Quoting: liamdawe
Quoting: sub
A developer: I took the liberty of replacing the Nvidia 660GTX in my Linux machine for our Radeon 270X and ran some tests.
Doesn't this statement, again, shows that many developers develop on Nvidia first, then try with an AMD card and are disappointed - or even blame AMD for bad performance?
No, it means he is doing thorough testing. You can only pick one card to test at a time, so they will obviously go with the more supported & used card.

Did you read what else he said? He's even been testing it on open source drivers too.
Yes, I did. But doesn't it read like he did so *after* they ported the game?
So what's your point about my question?