News - Native Steam on Linux client firming up

[HEXUS]

Because Windows 8 is terrible?

Read more.

[Noxvayl]

This is what I've been hoping for; a major game developer to support and promote development for Linux.

I hope CS:GO gets released with Linux support, that should encourage use of Linux considerably.

[brasco]

So he's now dissing the platform that made him? Way to go Gabe, now shut up and finish HL3

[cheesemp]

Sweet. Been nice to finally get some decent Linux support. Personally not surprised at the Win8 hate. Its probably going to be somewhere between Bob, Vista and ME in popularity!

[Terbinator]

The only thing that has got me about this 'news' is that its been sensationalised in some places as 'Valve ditching Windows'.

They're not going to do that as mentioned by Brasco because that is practically their whole market. One of Steam's biggest outlet for games is it's indie bundles and cheap games, mostly bought by casuals i would wager, not the sort of neckbeard (possibly in the know) gamer who would abandon Windows in favour of *nix because s/he 'only uses Windows for games'.

[crossy]

The only thing that has got me about this 'news' is that its been sensationalised in some places as 'Valve ditching Windows'.

They're not going to do that as mentioned by Brasco because that is practically their whole market. One of Steam's biggest outlet for games is it's indie bundles and cheap games, mostly bought by casuals i would wager, not the sort of neckbeard (possibly in the know) gamer who would abandon Windows in favour of *nix because s/he 'only uses Windows for games'.

Like you I can't see Valve ditching Windows - even if Win8's final desktop does end up looking as appealing as a pile of cat sick.

While I'm pleased that there's the potential for Steam for Linux, problem is that until we start getting more than just Indy titles on it, then I can't really see it doing anything more than being a curiosity. I love the blue-sky idea that eventually I could ditch my Windows box (which is 80% used for gaming) in favour of a Linux based one. I've already moved all web, mail, eBanking, etc across to Linux, so being able to move more would be great - but I'm not going to do that until BF3(or 4?), CoD, Saints Row, etc are available.

Seeing as who was the source (Phoronix) I'm also kind of inclined to mark this "news" down as a bit "fan boy".

[TheAnimus]

The only thing that has got me about this 'news' is that its been sensationalised in some places as 'Valve ditching Windows'.

Thing is thou, most of the sensationalist writers have been ignoring the feature in windows 8 they don't like.

Its not metro, its not the changes to the start menu at all.

It is, the Marketplace and the closer tie in with XBox Live, such as those found on the WP platform.

[Terbinator]

Thing is thou, most of the sensationalist writers have been ignoring the feature in windows 8 they don't like.

Its not metro, its not the changes to the start menu at all.

It is, the Marketplace and the closer tie in with XBox Live, such as those found on the WP platform.

On the first point i'm not surprised, when i read this earlier i thought it would be a boon for Valve given their 'TV mode' push, Win8's touch/tile mode is basically doing the leg-work for them in that regard.

The GamesMarketplace is definitely worth considering, but surely Valve are big enough to shrug it off? OTOH, if that is their sole purpose for moving away from Windows at some point in the future, I'm not sure how much they can alienate other game companies (read: EA) without it starting to have a negative impact.

It is definitely an interesting development though.

[Fraz]

Yes yes yes. One fewer reason (and not many remaining) to still have a Windows install.

[crossy]

The GamesMarketplace is definitely worth considering, but surely Valve are big enough to shrug it off? OTOH, if that is their sole purpose for moving away from Windows at some point in the future, I'm not sure how much they can alienate other game companies (read: EA) without it starting to have a negative impact.

Actually you've got a good point there - if Steam has to add XBoxLive to the list of competing services for Windows, (e.g. Origin), then (to me at least) it makes a whole heap o' sense for Valve to look for "pastures new". And given there's precious little similar for Linux, a decent Steam client (i.e. one that's not just running under Wine) would pretty much have a monopoly.

Coincidentally, I've got to wonder whether the much-rumoured "Steam Console" could end up being a Linux box (so no license fees) with this client on it. With both NVidia and AMD saying that they want to be "more friendly" to the Linux distros, it's got to be a possibility.

Like most "announcements" in this area though I think I'll hold my enthusiasm until it actually launches...

[lkarunan]

This would remove one of the few remaining reasons for be to boot windows. I'm not getting my hopes up though, this isn't even in beta yet and even then I can't see more than a small fraction of the catalog being ported any time soon.

[smithy1158]

Hopefully this means Valve will release steam for case sensitive filesystems so then I can use steam (mainly for the community aspects) on my Mac using a filesystem that makes sense logically.

[Zeven]

Sorry, Hexus. There is already a thread on this here.

[IronWarrior]

Is it really worth to be so excited about this? You like the Mac users... are only going to get a few games and pretty much them all will suck.

Enjoy playing Sims or some other silly game on Linux.

[Zeven]

Actually you've got a good point there - if Steam has to add XBoxLive to the list of competing services for Windows, (e.g. Origin), then (to me at least) it makes a whole heap o' sense for Valve to look for "pastures new". And given there's precious little similar for Linux, a decent Steam client (i.e. one that's not just running under Wine) would pretty much have a monopoly.

I have to say that Desura was first to the game with regard to supporting Linux and I'll be damned if my forum signature doesn't achieve something and further encourage GOG to go the Linux route as well. The Humble Bundle and Kickstarter also regularly support Linux. There's not as much competition as on Windows, but it's not like Linux gamers are entirely starved of support either. Here's hoping that Gabe brings more to the table than just himself and his team, though.

[aidanjt]

Is it really worth to be so excited about this? You like the Mac users... are only going to get a few games and pretty much them all will suck.

Enjoy playing Sims or some other silly game on Linux.

Steam originally launched with only one game. The catalog will grow. Hopefully with steam on the two big *nix platforms, and some useful sales data accumulated, at least some developers will take a greater interest in accommodating its userbase.