Steam For Linux Has Its First Birthday Today!

AAA titles on Linux.

More details on the streaming option for Windows games.  Was hoping to finally be able to kick Windows to the curve, but now it seems I will have to keep a second tower around just for the older games.

I celebrated it by purchasing Metro Last Light :D

I look at my extensive and expanding list of games and still can't quite believe it! It seemed such a long time coming, with all the rumours and now we're on the verge, with the SteamOS announcement, of an avalanche of (even more) great games :D

AAA titles on Linux.

Another big one is coming: Project cars !


http://www.wmdportal.com/projectnews/project-cars-races-to-next-gen/

Now I know steam machines will be able to compete with consoles :D

Still refusing to use it, and probably always will.

It's ironic, because they demonstrated all the disadvantages of DRM to me themselves: When I wanted to register an old retail copy of Half-Life 1 I always got the message that the serial number wouldn't be valid. When buying a second copy (because I really wanted to play that game again) this time I got the message that the key already had been registered, though the seller clearly (and believably) stated that the game was never played at all. In both cases the support staff was unwilling to transfer the keys to my account, so I have two copies now which I'm not able to play because of Steams DRM system. Great.

Being dependent on the good-will of Valve if they allow me to play a game is just unacceptable. Mix that with the fact that you don't _buy_ games, but only subscribe to the platform (where you can spend an unlimited amount of money, but will loose everything if you cancel the subscription) makes me wonder why anyone is willing to accept those terms...

*ranting end*

Still refusing to use it, and probably always will.

It's ironic, because they demonstrated all the disadvantages of DRM to me themselves: When I wanted to register an old retail copy of Half-Life 1 I always got the message that the serial number wouldn't be valid. When buying a second copy (because I really wanted to play that game again) this time I got the message that the key already had been registered, though the seller clearly (and believably) stated that the game was never played at all. In both cases the support staff was unwilling to transfer the keys to my account, so I have two copies now which I'm not able to play because of Steams DRM system. Great.

Something is off about that comment, since I have a retail opened box copy of Counter Strike: Source that I picked up for about $0.10 at a yard sale, I tried the serial and low and behold it registered to my Steam account.

Well I was a HUGE supporter because it meant more Games and AAA titles. I racked up over 100 games before my brain kicked in and asked why I can't download a stand-alone version like Desura offers. And now with all the confusion with the SteamOS being a totally new flavor for devs to support, questions concerning whether those titles made for SteamOS will even arrive for regular distros have popped up.

I made a harsh comment on reddit about Steam when my brain wasn't in gear and I'm sure I was assaulted about it (I never checked) but I don't really care since I'm probably the only member there who actually uses Linux full time. I have a vested interest in Linux because I have no fall-back platform like they probably do. So I actually care if somebody is trying to step on our backs and use us. I care about Linux, but I can't say the same about Steam anymore at least until everything is crystal clear. So i won't be buying anymore games there and have been asking devs if they have stand-alone versions I can buy direct.

Obviously this is my personal opinion and preference.

I still refuse to use it too.

I don't like DRM.

And now with all the confusion with the SteamOS being a totally new flavor for devs to support, questions concerning whether those titles made for SteamOS will even arrive for regular distros have popped up.

Valve has said quite clearly that SteamOS titles will work completely on normal linux distros.

I think my thoughts on Steam have been made quite clear here already: I do not use it, and do not plan to.

My gaming world really opened up more with the Humble Indie Bundles than anything else - and while I do have more games purchased over the past few months than I can currently play, something which was unthinkable a few years ago, I really do not know if Steam's arrival can take any of the credit for it.

Obviously since I am not using Steam I will not receive any direct benefits from Valve's work, but there are claims by some that Steam alone is the champion of the Linux gaming industry, and that even those who do not use it will feel the effects. Well, for me the industry was growing long before Valve showed up, and almost all of the games I am playing and have purchased recently seemingly arrived on our platform independent of Valve's efforts.

So for me the past year has been great in terms of games, but not due to Valve.

I respect everybody´s opinion, if you don´t like DRM so look for other alternatives, I use Steam and for me it´s the best digital distribution platform for the PC, DRM is not a problem in my point of view and Valve made a great push on Linux gaming, we have better graphic drivers now and they attracted more developers, I have a lot of reasons to celebrate!

Obviously Steam isn't perfect, but I think its contributions are enough to celebrate. Everyone agrees that Canonical has done a lot of good in promoting Linux (it was my gateway distro), but that doesn't stop everyone from looking over there shoulders nervously when Shuttleworth talks of new features; especially when concerning companies like Amazon.

I remember Steam being much more of a pain a few years back. It's true it locks you in to a degree, but it's a comfortable vehicle, that conveniently sorts your games and updates them. And thanks to the humble store I can get most games DRM-free with a steam key attached anyway.

They've already said Steam OS games will be Linux games and the hardware and software will be open. There's still DRM, but it's a step in the right direction. In fact, compared to the other consoles, one may consider it more of a leap.

And on that note, happy birthday, Linux client! I'm gonna celebrate with some Super Meat Boy :D

I think my thoughts on Steam have been made quite clear here already: I do not use it, and do not plan to.

My gaming world really opened up more with the Humble Indie Bundles than anything else - and while I do have more games purchased over the past few months than I can currently play, something which was unthinkable a few years ago, I really do not know if Steam's arrival can take any of the credit for it.

Obviously since I am not using Steam I will not receive any direct benefits from Valve's work, but there are claims by some that Steam alone is the champion of the Linux gaming industry, and that even those who do not use it will feel the effects. Well, for me the industry was growing long before Valve showed up, and almost all of the games I am playing and have purchased recently seemingly arrived on our platform independent of Valve's efforts.

So for me the past year has been great in terms of games, but not due to Valve.

You use the open source drivers right?

I think my thoughts on Steam have been made quite clear here already: I do not use it, and do not plan to.

My gaming world really opened up more with the Humble Indie Bundles than anything else - and while I do have more games purchased over the past few months than I can currently play, something which was unthinkable a few years ago, I really do not know if Steam's arrival can take any of the credit for it.

Obviously since I am not using Steam I will not receive any direct benefits from Valve's work, but there are claims by some that Steam alone is the champion of the Linux gaming industry, and that even those who do not use it will feel the effects. Well, for me the industry was growing long before Valve showed up, and almost all of the games I am playing and have purchased recently seemingly arrived on our platform independent of Valve's efforts.

So for me the past year has been great in terms of games, but not due to Valve.

You use the open source drivers right?

Yes he does.

Mix that with the fact that you don't _buy_ games, but only subscribe to the platform (where you can spend an unlimited amount of money, but will loose everything if you cancel the subscription) makes me wonder why anyone is willing to accept those terms...

The only thing I have to say is that this debate is a part of a much bigger picture. We buy a lot of things that we don't own, but yes I understand that we basically rent games from steam. But unless you're being stupid, you'll always have access to those games (praying Valve doesn't shut down).

Happy Linux Birthday Steam! 

I wish I could use it. AMD/ATI support for my Radeon 4250 is awful and can't even run the desktop environment without artifacts let alone a game.

Happy Birthday Steam for Linux

That means Steam for Linux turns 1 the same day I turn 21 :P

Probably will throw even more money in Steam in coming years :-)