Here is the latest instalment of Steam's Hardware Survey, as usual we do our monthly thing and compare it and talk about it and make sure you know not to use it as a hard figure.
Linux results for August 2014
Ubuntu 14.04.1 LTS 64 bit 0.43% +0.37%
Linux Mint 17 Qiana 64 bit 0.10% +0.01%
Linux 3.10 64 bit 0.08% -0.01%
Ubuntu 14.04.1 LTS 0.06% +0.06%
Ubuntu 14.04 LTS 64 bit 0.06% -0.33%
Total: 1.06%
Last Month: 1.11%
My thoughts on it
Nothing special and not surprising really. Our back log of games is growing, but it's not enough to sway a lot of people. Hopefully with games like Borderlands coming to our platform it will strengthen the numbers just a little.
I very much look forward to seeing how Valve position SteamOS on these statistics a month after it's live. Will it be under Linux, or will they give it their own SteamOS section?
I am still highly sceptical of what traction SteamOS will gain, but I imagine it will be slow to begin with. Either that or it will be massive at the start, and then quickly settle down much lower than the initial numbers.
Things to note
A minor point: Distro-hoppers will slightly mess up the statistics, Linux users are far more likely to switch between different distributions than say a Windows user due to how many we have.
Just be aware these results will probably not be that accurate as we don't know how they do their percentage results, they could be rounding up, rounding down or truncating the percentages. So a 0.5% could actually be nearly 0.6% as it could be 0.59% but they could do no rounding and simply truncate it.
Also it won't be every Steam user (it's a survey not a full statistic), so it can be as simple as not actually showing the survey to many Linux people.
Let's face it we know they don't survey 100% of their user base, only a small fraction of it, so bear that in mind as well.
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.
Final Note: Look at it this way, Steam has around 75 million active users, 1% of 75 million is about 750,000 people. What developer wouldn't want to hook into a potential market that big? We are still under-represented in my eyes. Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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I hope they implement an opt-in/out anonymous hardware stats recording so we get a truer picture with the massive sample size of 75 million users minus the opted-out people. (Or, potentially size of 75 million opted-in users (who only have to opt-in once, but can opt-out anytime).
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Personally I would prefer an opt-out for everyone over an opt-in for a % of the userbase.
It will never happen though as privacy people would kick up a stink about it I'm sure.
It's a shame that traditional consoles can do it so easily by simple things like tracking the amount actually sold, or just releasing the number of people signing into their online services.
It will never happen though as privacy people would kick up a stink about it I'm sure.
It's a shame that traditional consoles can do it so easily by simple things like tracking the amount actually sold, or just releasing the number of people signing into their online services.
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Personally I would prefer an opt-out for everyone over an opt-in for a % of the userbase.
It will never happen though as privacy people would kick up a stink about it I'm sure.
It's a shame that traditional consoles can do it so easily by simple things like tracking the amount actually sold, or just releasing the number of people signing into their online services.
You called me, here I am, the privacy person! :D I don't want any opt-out recording of my hardware/software/whatever. Valve should mind its own business, I already mistrust Steam as it is now.
Not that being able to better estimate the nth decimal position of people using GNU/L for gaming would be of any help.
IMHO a good boost will only come once Valve releases its Steam Machines.
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oldrocker99 7 Sep 2014
1% of 75,000,000 is still a hell of a lot of users, and that's why there is a market for Linux games on Steam. As we've read on this forum, devs are satisfied with the sales they're getting on Steam. I'm not worried by the low percentages; we've always been a minority compared to the closed-source OS users.
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The overall change (-0.05%) is too small to be significant, especially since, as you pointed out, they don't poll all users.
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Let's face it we know they don't survey 100% of their user base, only a small fraction of it, so bear that in mind as well.
Not sure if you're implying that this is a potential reason for the low Linux user number.
It's perfectly fine and understandable that Valve does not survey the full user base. I guess it has been said many times already but: taking samples is absolutely valid as long as the probability to get surveyed is equal among all users, i.e. there is no systematic bias towards a platform. Yes, increasing the sample size reduces the uncertainty, but I assume Valve makes a reasonable choice concerning the sample size.
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I dual boot with windows and just happened to fill out the survey on the windows partition.
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valve absolutely have the real numbers. Do they match this survey? who knows
Total number of users for linux is not bad. Linux users/total number of users do look bad
If people put the 1/10th of the amount of money they put into proprietary programs into floss... There would be no war. You cant compete floss...
free is what is "killing" linux. (i use quotes, because it probably cant die)
Total number of users for linux is not bad. Linux users/total number of users do look bad
If people put the 1/10th of the amount of money they put into proprietary programs into floss... There would be no war. You cant compete floss...
free is what is "killing" linux. (i use quotes, because it probably cant die)
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i never see the survey except in windows, etc.
(the number is accurate, and in absolute terms it is probably growing.)
(the number is accurate, and in absolute terms it is probably growing.)
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This survey can't be accurate im logged on linux all the time and have been every day, and I neer ever see they survey except if start up steam in windows.
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Let's face it we know they don't survey 100% of their user base, only a small fraction of it, so bear that in mind as well.Not sure if you're implying that this is a potential reason for the low Linux user number.
It's perfectly fine and understandable that Valve does not survey the full user base. I guess it has been said many times already but: taking samples is absolutely valid as long as the probability to get surveyed is equal among all users, i.e. there is no systematic bias towards a platform. Yes, increasing the sample size reduces the uncertainty, but I assume Valve makes a reasonable choice concerning the sample size.
It was a statement of fact to remind people to take it with a grain of salt since it's a survey, and not a full statistic.
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Metallinatus 7 Sep 2014
SteamOS will probably just appear as another distro.... there is no sense on separating two operation systems that share the same games library on the survey.
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No one ask me. So... if it doesn't ask to everyone is not reliable.
When they survey every connection and the time playing, we will know exactly what % of steam users use linux. Probably a biased survey?
I would like to know the % of steam users on windows that had bought the os vs the linux users. I'm sure linux will win. People have windows because the games are in windows, not because they want. (or ignorance). So keep pushing linux games.
When they survey every connection and the time playing, we will know exactly what % of steam users use linux. Probably a biased survey?
I would like to know the % of steam users on windows that had bought the os vs the linux users. I'm sure linux will win. People have windows because the games are in windows, not because they want. (or ignorance). So keep pushing linux games.
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I've gotten the survey once since Steam for Linux was released, but as mentioned it's not a full statistic. We need to get some Windows users and ask how often they get surveys :)
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Steam for Linux is in its infancy. The spike in users will come when Steamboxes hit stores. That's your sales pitch to developers and studios, get in now and be a Steam OS launch title. Steam OS will not compete with Windows and Mac OS, it will compete for the users of Xbox, Playstation and Nintendo, a largely more game-loving demographic. If you're trying to sell the Linux system to developers, sell that hope, rather than tying to add a decimal to the 1% market share right now.
As for the 1% market share, I believe it. Valve keeps internal statistics on users' OSes, and I believe they show the survey to as many as they need to in order to match their internal statistics.
As for the 1% market share, I believe it. Valve keeps internal statistics on users' OSes, and I believe they show the survey to as many as they need to in order to match their internal statistics.
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i only got the survey, last friday (for the first time) and i have steam on linux since day one. i don't think these numbers are correct?
i would like to know the procentage of sales there are for linux, or how many hours played in total for each os (windows/mac/linux)
i would like to know the procentage of sales there are for linux, or how many hours played in total for each os (windows/mac/linux)
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Linux usage will go up when Steam Machines come out, and when games start being released reliably and at the same time for Steam OS. Some exclusive titles would help too.
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I know this post wasnt about steam os, but I saw liam was a bit sceptical about steam os. Or so was my interpretation about this post. And I dont think valve will fail at all with steam os.
I think the point of steam os is to create a steam "universe". U have a main machine u use for gaming or daily use. And then u got a steam box or a media box living room. And then u got your phone, steam has an app already. Then we got tablet, nvidia shield and the rumored steamboy, I see it as confirmed cause it was shown on E3. And I think it wasnt rdy to get released. I hope they wont name it steamboy tho. Its a bit, meh. And valve probably got more plans for there steam "universe".
The goal with all this is to game where ever u want when u want it, and how ever u want to game.
Using home streaming. I dont see any reason why they shouldnt do this at all. And the best thing, its u who costumize it they way u want it :).
I think steam os will be huge, or I rather call it steam "universe". And I also belive valve has just awakened the dragon called linux. It will be huge in the two upcoming years.
Ofcourse Iam only speculating, but at the same time. I dont see why they shouldnt go this way. I would love this. Game with friends, family, alone in your room, in the sofa, kitchen, bathroom and so on.
Linux has so mutch potential when it comes to gaming, and now when windows are failing more and more and more. Its the best time. Even if u dont game, linux is waaay better when it comes to freedom of choose and how u use your toaster. I dont think windows will die, I just think they have to get less greedy and sharpning up. Microsoft also need some more competision, so does mac. Its healthy.
Iam a huge fan of Open source, and to see it fighting with microsoft would be epic. I know ubuntu isnt 100% open source. But for now, its the only system I feel comfy in.
And back to valve, Steam os was delayed, and so was steamboy shortly after. Some say it was a fraud, I still belive it will be released along or shortly after steam os is out. Sadly its not valve whos behinde it.
http://www.steamboymachine.com/
I think the point of steam os is to create a steam "universe". U have a main machine u use for gaming or daily use. And then u got a steam box or a media box living room. And then u got your phone, steam has an app already. Then we got tablet, nvidia shield and the rumored steamboy, I see it as confirmed cause it was shown on E3. And I think it wasnt rdy to get released. I hope they wont name it steamboy tho. Its a bit, meh. And valve probably got more plans for there steam "universe".
The goal with all this is to game where ever u want when u want it, and how ever u want to game.
Using home streaming. I dont see any reason why they shouldnt do this at all. And the best thing, its u who costumize it they way u want it :).
I think steam os will be huge, or I rather call it steam "universe". And I also belive valve has just awakened the dragon called linux. It will be huge in the two upcoming years.
Ofcourse Iam only speculating, but at the same time. I dont see why they shouldnt go this way. I would love this. Game with friends, family, alone in your room, in the sofa, kitchen, bathroom and so on.
Linux has so mutch potential when it comes to gaming, and now when windows are failing more and more and more. Its the best time. Even if u dont game, linux is waaay better when it comes to freedom of choose and how u use your toaster. I dont think windows will die, I just think they have to get less greedy and sharpning up. Microsoft also need some more competision, so does mac. Its healthy.
Iam a huge fan of Open source, and to see it fighting with microsoft would be epic. I know ubuntu isnt 100% open source. But for now, its the only system I feel comfy in.
And back to valve, Steam os was delayed, and so was steamboy shortly after. Some say it was a fraud, I still belive it will be released along or shortly after steam os is out. Sadly its not valve whos behinde it.
http://www.steamboymachine.com/
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*sigh* lets stop arguing about these percentage figures. Besides all the things already mentioned, Steam is a fast growing platform, so most likely there are just more new Windows users than there are new Linux users thus driving the percentage down. However that doesn't mean that there are less Linux users.
The total number of steam users is also not all that interesting, as there are so many F2P accounts on it (especially under windows). The only figure that would matter is the revenue created by Linux users, but Valve isn't publishing that figure.
The total number of steam users is also not all that interesting, as there are so many F2P accounts on it (especially under windows). The only figure that would matter is the revenue created by Linux users, but Valve isn't publishing that figure.
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