Well the latest Steam hardware survey is out for April and it isn't looking good again for Linux.
Here are the statistics just for Linux
Ubuntu 12.10 64 bit 0.35% -0.12%
Ubuntu 12.04.2 LTS 64 bit 0.23% -0.05%
Ubuntu 12.10 0.14% -0.05%
Ubuntu 12.04.2 LTS 0.14% -0.02%
Ubuntu 13.04 64 bit 0.11% +0.11%
Linux Mint 14 Nadia 64 bit 0.11% -0.02%
Linux 64 bit 0.10% -0.01%
Ubuntu Raring Ringtail (development branch) 64 bit 0.06% +0.02%
"Arch Linux" 64 bit 0.04% 0.00%
Ubuntu 13.04 0.04% +0.04%
Linux Mint 14 Nadia 0.03% -0.01%
"Fedora release 18 (Spherical Cow)" 64 bit 0.03% 0.00%
"openSUSE 12.3 (x86_64)" 64 bit 0.02% 0.00%
Debian GNU/Linux 7.0 (wheezy) 64 bit 0.02% -0.01%
Linux Mint 13 Maya 64 bit 0.02% -0.01%
Ubuntu Raring Ringtail (development branch) 0.02% +0.01%
Linux 0.01% 0.00%
Linux Mint 13 Maya 0.01% 0.00%
"Manjaro Linux" 64 bit 0.01% 0.00%
"NAME=Gentoo" 64 bit 0.01% +0.01%
"Fedora release 17 (Beefy Miracle)" 64 bit 0.01% 0.00%
Ubuntu 12.04.1 LTS 64 bit 0.01% 0.00%
Ubuntu 12.04.1 LTS 0.01% 0.00%
elementary OS Luna 64 bit 0.01% 0.00%
"Gentoo Base System release 2.1" 64 bit 0.01% 0.00%
"openSUSE 12.2 (x86_64)" 64 bit 0.01% -0.01%
Debian GNU/Linux 7.0 (wheezy) 0.00% -0.01%
"Gentoo Base System release 2.2" 64 bit 0.00% -0.01%
This Month: 1.56%
Last Month: 1.69%
So we lose another 0.13%, this is after a loss the previous month as well (see our post on last month here).
Well I was hoping we would see a rise this month but nope, another fall.
Could this be the sign of a continued trend across this year or will some high profile Valve launches like Left 4 Dead 2, DOTA2, Counter Strike:GO lift up our share? I seriously hope this doesn't continue as it won't paint a pretty picture for developers looking to Steam for Linux viability for ports.
What I really hope though is that people aren't looking too much into the survey, especially developers, the results are from a random set of users and as with all surveys it will only be a small % of users that will be asked so it could actually be missing out a vast amount of Linux users.
Update: As pointed out, you should allow for a margin of error on the Steam stats since they could be rounding up, rounding down or truncating the total stats to make it smaller.
Lastly Linux users typically shy away from any form of DRM, so you can bet there is a large bunch of Linux users who just simply refuse to use Steam. Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
Here are the statistics just for Linux
Ubuntu 12.10 64 bit 0.35% -0.12%
Ubuntu 12.04.2 LTS 64 bit 0.23% -0.05%
Ubuntu 12.10 0.14% -0.05%
Ubuntu 12.04.2 LTS 0.14% -0.02%
Ubuntu 13.04 64 bit 0.11% +0.11%
Linux Mint 14 Nadia 64 bit 0.11% -0.02%
Linux 64 bit 0.10% -0.01%
Ubuntu Raring Ringtail (development branch) 64 bit 0.06% +0.02%
"Arch Linux" 64 bit 0.04% 0.00%
Ubuntu 13.04 0.04% +0.04%
Linux Mint 14 Nadia 0.03% -0.01%
"Fedora release 18 (Spherical Cow)" 64 bit 0.03% 0.00%
"openSUSE 12.3 (x86_64)" 64 bit 0.02% 0.00%
Debian GNU/Linux 7.0 (wheezy) 64 bit 0.02% -0.01%
Linux Mint 13 Maya 64 bit 0.02% -0.01%
Ubuntu Raring Ringtail (development branch) 0.02% +0.01%
Linux 0.01% 0.00%
Linux Mint 13 Maya 0.01% 0.00%
"Manjaro Linux" 64 bit 0.01% 0.00%
"NAME=Gentoo" 64 bit 0.01% +0.01%
"Fedora release 17 (Beefy Miracle)" 64 bit 0.01% 0.00%
Ubuntu 12.04.1 LTS 64 bit 0.01% 0.00%
Ubuntu 12.04.1 LTS 0.01% 0.00%
elementary OS Luna 64 bit 0.01% 0.00%
"Gentoo Base System release 2.1" 64 bit 0.01% 0.00%
"openSUSE 12.2 (x86_64)" 64 bit 0.01% -0.01%
Debian GNU/Linux 7.0 (wheezy) 0.00% -0.01%
"Gentoo Base System release 2.2" 64 bit 0.00% -0.01%
This Month: 1.56%
Last Month: 1.69%
So we lose another 0.13%, this is after a loss the previous month as well (see our post on last month here).
Well I was hoping we would see a rise this month but nope, another fall.
Could this be the sign of a continued trend across this year or will some high profile Valve launches like Left 4 Dead 2, DOTA2, Counter Strike:GO lift up our share? I seriously hope this doesn't continue as it won't paint a pretty picture for developers looking to Steam for Linux viability for ports.
What I really hope though is that people aren't looking too much into the survey, especially developers, the results are from a random set of users and as with all surveys it will only be a small % of users that will be asked so it could actually be missing out a vast amount of Linux users.
Update: As pointed out, you should allow for a margin of error on the Steam stats since they could be rounding up, rounding down or truncating the total stats to make it smaller.
Lastly Linux users typically shy away from any form of DRM, so you can bet there is a large bunch of Linux users who just simply refuse to use Steam. Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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The comments on this article are closed.
Quoting: Cheesenessyour arguments don't seem to recognise the broader implications that combining Wine usage figures with native Linux usage figures would have for the industry's perception of Linux as a viable gaming platform.
Ok, I'm done trying to reason. It's just not getting through. So let's try this.
You obviously don't like wine, well neither do I. I don't want to have to use it, but it's not like we have any choice at the moment until more native releases come out. So, having the number of people running the OS is what matters, NOT what they're resorting to in order to get games to work. If the industry's perception of linux is that there aren't that many of us, and in fact our numbers are dropping as the article says, then things will only get worse.
All I have ever said, and this isn't some insane idea as you folks keep trying to make it out as: if I'm using linux as my OS, my OS should be reported as linux. Anything else, and that's where you start screwing with the numbers. You're so stuck on the minutea of this, and yet tell me I can't see the broader picture... *sigh* Can't see the forest for the trees, and complains I'm not seeing the whole tree.
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Quoting: AnonymousOk, I'm done trying to reason. It's just not getting through. So let's try this.
You are changing exactly what with you strategy here?
Quoting: AnonymousYou obviously don't like wine, well neither do I.
Who says we don't like Wine? This has nothing to do with having an aversion with any particular piece of software.
Quoting: AnonymousI don't want to have to use it, but it's not like we have any choice at the moment until more native releases come out.
Again, we were not criticizing you for that, even if I personally disagree with the notion.
Quoting: AnonymousSo, having the number of people running the OS is what matters, NOT what they're resorting to in order to get games to work.
No, what matters is the potential market that developers can reach by supporting Linux. If it is already being catered to by Wine then the developers behind the game being played through Wine have no real motivation to support the actual platform Wine is running on any more than they already do by releasing Windows binaries. If that counts as Linux for Steam, why not for them?
Quoting: AnonymousIf the industry's perception of linux is that there aren't that many of us, and in fact our numbers are dropping as the article says, then things will only get worse.
Doing tricks to inflate the numbers is not going help though. Does it really matter who's buying Windows software and running it on Linux? The numbers are only useful for showing developers the size of the actual Linux market. If you are not happy with the size of that market fine, but trying to artificially inflate the numbers is not going to help matters, or help Valve's case that there is an actual native Linux market to be catered to.
Such numbers are not entirely useless though, which is why it would be interesting to see a Wine category added to the survey. That being said, I would suspect it would probably be quite a bit smaller than you may imagine.
Quoting: AnonymousAll I have ever said, and this isn't some insane idea as you folks keep trying to make it out as: if I'm using linux as my OS, my OS should be reported as linux.
Even when you are using Windows? Because that is what Wine is, a Windows environment. Good, bad, that is what it is. It is not the same as running a game on Linux with the Linux version of Steam.
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Cheeseness May 9, 2013
Quoting: AnonymousAll I have ever said, and this isn't some insane idea as you folks keep trying to make it out as: if I'm using linux as my OS, my OS should be reported as linux.So, you would also say that when I'm using UAE, I should (in general) count as a Linux user rather than an Amiga user?
When I run Windows software in Wine, I'm a Windows user. That's the market I exist in whilst running that stuff, and very little else is relevant.
Also, you know that the the Steam survey is about Steam usage, not OS usage, right?
Edit: Yes, the type of information you're talking about is potentially interesting (as I've previously said), but mixing it in with the current Linux usage stats wouldn't be a good idea, and the Steam survey may not be the best place for that sort of data anyway.
Quoting: AnonymousYou obviously don't like wine, well neither do I.Actually, what I don't like is people putting words in my mouth. I have nothing but awe and admiration for the accomplishments and feats that the Wine developers have achieved.
Quoting: AnonymousCan't see the forest for the trees, and complains I'm not seeing the whole tree.Since I never complained, I can only assume that you're reading what you want to read rather than what's there :(
Your attitude here is inappropriate, IMO. Attacking the rationality and character of others just because they have a different perspective on what you're saying is pretty poor behaviour.
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That is a nice discussion and all, however the Anonymous guy was basing the whole point of why there should be a wine static is a bit well wrong. After all what the user wants is the developer should look at not what the user is using now. If that was case, Steam for Linux would have never been made as there wasn't a way to accurately verify who is using Linux and what for. Even the current way is not that accurate. However there is other things that drive the developers to support a platform, and one of those are the petitions or groups that people make to campaign for a port to another OS. So instead of arguing with a couple of guys who are managing a Linux gaming site, if someone wants a game on Linux, they should just petition it. Who knows if enough people are vocal about it and the company is looking for an alternative or expansion, a Linux version may be suggested as an Alternative.
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Quoting: Another Anonymous UserThat is a nice discussion and all, however the Anonymous guy was basing the whole point of why there should be a wine static is a bit well wrong.The only thing wrong is that you think I was saying there should be one.
I swear, either you're all doing this on purpose or this site attracts people with no reading comprehension.
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Quoting: AnonymousI swear, either you're all doing this on purpose or this site attracts people with no reading comprehension.
"Which is more likely: that the irrevocable laws of the universe have been broken, or that you are somehow mistaken in thinking them so?" - Penumbra: Requiem.
Somehow that comment reminded me of the quote. ;)
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I find playing games on linux is a complete waste of time. The ports are always buggy, sound and graphic issues are guaranteed. Even tried my steam games that are supposedly linux compatible, but no luck again (even a simple game like Goo wouldn't load up properly). So now I use linux because it stops me playing games and wasting my time, seriously stay away from any linux distro if you want to play decent games. Don't blame linux though, blame windows and the lazy developers who either can't be bothered to port or do a piss poor job if they do..
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Cheeseness May 21, 2013
Quoting: Hayward...seriously stay away from any linux distro if you want to play decent games. Don't blame linux though, blame windows and the lazy developers who either can't be bothered to port or do a piss poor job if they do..
But if you stay away, you won't find (as you haven't) those developers who do do decent ports. Is it possible that your steady stream of negative experiences might be caused by something at your end? The number of us who have been having positive Linux gaming experiences should hopefully be cause for at least considering that things might not be as bad as you seem to think.
By the way, World of Goo has run solidly for me in Linux since it became available for Linux in early 2009 ^_^
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I have a more academic question - what actually attracted you to this website? I am not asking to try and dispute your complaint by this, but I am genuinely curious why someone would go onto a website that honestly believes in Linux games just so you can try and write them off. You are entitled to express that opinion, but I am a bit at a loss why you bothered to be here in the first place.
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Quoting: HamishI have a more academic question - what actually attracted you to this website? I am not asking to try and dispute your complaint by this, but I am genuinely curious why someone would go onto a website that honestly believes in Linux games just so you can try and write them off. You are entitled to express that opinion, but I am a bit at a loss why you bothered to be here in the first place.Its going to either be a user who got frustrated or a troll...
Either way World of Goo is one of the games that I have truly never had a problem with.
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