Author Topic: Valve confirms Steam and Source coming to Linux this year! (Read 1169 times)

FlyinPenguin · « **on:** June 24, 2012, 01:55:16 PM »

http://www.extremetech.com/gaming/127475-valve-confirms-steam-and-source-for-linux-signals-low-confidence-for-windows-8 and http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=article&item=valve_linux_dampfnudeln&num=1

This isn't just some little side project they have going on. They are actively hiring new Linux programmers and putting the proverbial pedal to the metal. It looks like Valve is pretty serious about embracing Linux as a gaming platform.

This could be the beginning of a beautiful thing

TMRNetShark · « **Reply #1 on:** June 24, 2012, 01:58:31 PM »

Finally... all that needs to be supported is the games! Althought, I believe Linux uses OpenGL, correct? Same as Mac? But I'm sure there is way more than just the graphical software that requires the game to run (aka, the kernel).

FlyinPenguin · « **Reply #2 on:** June 24, 2012, 02:09:27 PM »

Quote from: TMRNetShark on June 24, 2012, 01:58:31 PM

Finally... all that needs to be supported is the games! Althought, I believe Linux uses OpenGL, correct? Same as Mac? But I'm sure there is way more than just the graphical software that requires the game to run (aka, the kernel).

They are hiring both Linux OpenGL and kernel programmers

Left4Dead2 will be one of the first games available. It will be interesting to see what other games will be available at launch. I'm hoping to see Payday: The Heist.

AceHigh · « **Reply #3 on:** June 24, 2012, 03:28:04 PM »

Great! If Steam does it, then maybe more companies will follow. After all OpenGL is in many ways better than DX API. Also games coming out for *nix platforms will probably be the reason for me to finally jump from Windows to a Linux distro. At the moment the only thing I use a *nix OS for is to break into Windows computers (got a Knoppix 7.0 on a USB stick)

FlyinPenguin · « **Reply #4 on:** June 24, 2012, 03:39:02 PM »

Quote from: AceHigh on June 24, 2012, 03:28:04 PM

Also games coming out for *nix platforms will probably be the reason for me to finally jump from Windows to a Linux distro.

I have read alot of comments from people who say the same thing. Gaming has been one of the things holding Linux back from going mainstream, despite the fact a vast array of games do run using Wine. It seems alot of people who don't want to run two OSs have continued to stick with Windows simply because of the gaming aspect. Throw in the fact that Windows 8 looking like a colossal disaster and this could be the opportunity Linux has been waiting for.

AceHigh · « **Reply #5 on:** June 24, 2012, 03:50:13 PM »

If wine worked better (although I will give them credits for making it work as well as it does considering the circumstances), I would already have switched to *nix OS.

No, what I want is a native support for Linux from game developers instead of running compatibility layers like Wine or Windows emulators. If we are getting close to it being a reality, I better look into distros again... fuck, someone should make Linux distro specifically designed for gaming. That would be awesome as fuck.

FlyinPenguin · « **Reply #6 on:** June 24, 2012, 04:29:28 PM »

Quote from: AceHigh on June 24, 2012, 03:50:13 PM

fuck, someone should make Linux distro specifically designed for gaming. That would be awesome as fuck.

That idea had crossed my mind as well. It would be interesting if Valve decided to make their own distro. Honestly, I don't think it is an unlikely possibility. There seems to be an increasing possibility Valve is getting into the console business and based on everything they have been saying, it would undoubtedly be using an open platform (hint hint Linux). All things taken into account, one doesn't have to stretch the imagination too far to see them having a distro already on the drawing board, possibly already in early development.

Think about it. They could design their own distro for their gaming console but still provide a modified version for PC users that is heavily optimized for Steam.

I'm starting to get really excited just thinking of the possibilities here.

I find it interesting that they are suddenly coming out against Windows 8 at this time with everything going on in the company in terms of Linux development. Could they be laying the groundwork to promote their new distro?

Saras · « **Reply #7 on:** June 24, 2012, 05:20:15 PM »

I'm with ace here. If not for games, I'd be using *nix about now.

nstgc · « **Reply #8 on:** June 25, 2012, 12:59:47 AM »

Truly, truly, epic news!

[edit] I wouldn't mind having a distro made by steam, but honestly, I doubt it. If they made their own console, and it did have an embedded Linux OS, I don't think they would bother trying to "port" it to PC. The benefit just doesn't seem to be there. As for why they are moving into Linux, I think its due to Windows 8. I know I started using Linux as a direct result of Vista. XP was showing its age and the alternative for me, since my computer is custom made, was Linux (I eventually ended up with Ubuntu by the way, and am now using Mint). I think people will feel like that this time around as well with W8 looking like well dressed garbage.

AceHigh · « **Reply #9 on:** June 25, 2012, 03:04:58 AM »

Windows 8 is irrelevant in my opinion. It is geared towards portable devices and pretty much anything that is no a desktop. Gamers are desktop users, there will be no need to get Windows 8 and those who do, will not see much difference.

I highly doubt that Microsoft will have any influence on this development. No, in fact no matter what MS does, or does not, it will be the effort and willingness of Steam and other developers to make games for *nix that will shape the future of Linux usage. Basically Linux will have to rise on it's own merit by supporting a wide variety of 3rd party applications, especially games. Gamers will not jump over to an OS that runs games poorly or is unstable, even if Win8 turns out to be an overbloated and unnecessary clusterfuck of an OS.

vuzedome · « **Reply #10 on:** June 25, 2012, 02:04:50 PM »

Yes~! Now I can start spec'ing my PC builds to work with Linux.
I can shave away 186 dollars from the budget now, no more need for Windows Pro or Ulti.

FlyinPenguin · « **Reply #11 on:** June 25, 2012, 02:21:30 PM »

Another thing I just thought of is Canonical shouldn't have had EA at their conference this year. They should have had Valve!

I wonder if we can expect some sort of a Valve/Canonical partnership. I imagine Canonical would love to advertise that Ubuntu now comes with Steam pre-installed and is able to play high end commercial games.

TMRNetShark · « **Reply #12 on:** June 25, 2012, 03:30:14 PM »

Quote from: vuzedome on June 25, 2012, 02:04:50 PM

Yes~! Now I can start spec'ing my PC builds to work with Linux.
I can shave away 186 dollars from the budget now, no more need for Windows Pro or Ulti.

Exactly... so that extra money can be divided up nicely between the CPU and GPU.. XD

AceHigh · « **Reply #13 on:** June 25, 2012, 05:23:02 PM »

Huh, there are people here who actually pay for an OS?

deadskin · « **Reply #14 on:** June 25, 2012, 07:10:12 PM »

Yes, not everyone uses OEM Windows here.

AceHigh · « **Reply #15 on:** June 25, 2012, 07:34:12 PM »

Dude, this is a torrent tracker site and all you could think of as an alternative to a full priced OS is an OEM? Hell that implies that I bought a complete pc instead of building my own. I almost feel insulted.

If I remember correctly, the last time I used a legal version is back in the win 98 era. Even when an OEM comes with a laptop, I still always install Win7 Ultimate on all computers that my family has.

FlyinPenguin · « **Reply #16 on:** June 25, 2012, 07:56:58 PM »

Windows isn't even worth my time to pirate anymore tbh

vuzedome · « **Reply #17 on:** June 26, 2012, 09:05:05 AM »

I pay for my games but not for my Windows? Not happening.

nstgc · « **Reply #18 on:** June 26, 2012, 09:23:26 PM »

Quote from: AceHigh on June 25, 2012, 07:34:12 PM

Dude, this is a torrent tracker site and all you could think of as an alternative to a full priced OS is an OEM? Hell that implies that I bought a complete pc instead of building my own. I almost feel insulted.

If I remember correctly, the last time I used a legal version is back in the win 98 era. Even when an OEM comes with a laptop, I still always install Win7 Ultimate on all computers that my family has.

I have an use a 100% legal copy of Windows. They had a promotional thing for my unversity where they sold Windows 7 Pro for $25 and it cost an estra $15 for a disc.

megido-rev.M · « **Reply #19 on:** June 27, 2012, 01:36:00 AM »

Quote from: nstgc on June 26, 2012, 09:23:26 PM

Quote from: AceHigh on June 25, 2012, 07:34:12 PM
Dude, this is a torrent tracker site and all you could think of as an alternative to a full priced OS is an OEM? Hell that implies that I bought a complete pc instead of building my own. I almost feel insulted.

If I remember correctly, the last time I used a legal version is back in the win 98 era. Even when an OEM comes with a laptop, I still always install Win7 Ultimate on all computers that my family has.

I have an use a 100% legal copy of Windows. They had a promotional thing for my unversity where they sold Windows 7 Pro for $25 and it cost an estra $15 for a disc.

I on the other hand got mine without charge, legally

.