Note: This is an editorial, all of this is my personal opinion, it seems some people in the comments forget what editorials are for.
It's always fun when I see lots of websites talking about how many games Linux now has on Steam, as the number itself doesn't really mean all that much. So, I have decided to do my take on it.
It's true that it's a milestone (1505 right now), but the truth of the matter is that it's just a number. It may sound like a lot, but the vast majority of the games are very niche, mobile ports and not all that many high quality AAA titles that will actually push Linux and SteamOS adoption properly.
Put any fanboy tendencies you have aside for a moment (as hard as it may be for some people, myself included), and think about what other people see. We're already massive Linux gaming fans, but not everyone is because of the lack of AAA games.
Looking at it, Windows has 6478 games right now, so while it looks like we are gaining ground, plenty of games still release without a Linux version. I don't see this gap being filled any time soon, but hopefully with the release of Steam Machines it might pick up a bit.
It has gotten better thanks to Aspyr, Feral, VP and a few others, but it simply isn't enough right now. I am eagerly awaiting the many ports still to come, as we do still have some decent games to come.
On a very positive note - what I do like to see though, is that 7 out of 10 of the highest rated games on Steam are available for Linux, now that's something that pleases me more than the overall number of games that we have available.
Long live Linux. Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
It's always fun when I see lots of websites talking about how many games Linux now has on Steam, as the number itself doesn't really mean all that much. So, I have decided to do my take on it.
It's true that it's a milestone (1505 right now), but the truth of the matter is that it's just a number. It may sound like a lot, but the vast majority of the games are very niche, mobile ports and not all that many high quality AAA titles that will actually push Linux and SteamOS adoption properly.
Put any fanboy tendencies you have aside for a moment (as hard as it may be for some people, myself included), and think about what other people see. We're already massive Linux gaming fans, but not everyone is because of the lack of AAA games.
Looking at it, Windows has 6478 games right now, so while it looks like we are gaining ground, plenty of games still release without a Linux version. I don't see this gap being filled any time soon, but hopefully with the release of Steam Machines it might pick up a bit.
It has gotten better thanks to Aspyr, Feral, VP and a few others, but it simply isn't enough right now. I am eagerly awaiting the many ports still to come, as we do still have some decent games to come.
On a very positive note - what I do like to see though, is that 7 out of 10 of the highest rated games on Steam are available for Linux, now that's something that pleases me more than the overall number of games that we have available.
Long live Linux. Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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Mountain Man Sep 22, 2015
Quoting: PeciskCan we at least change a tone? Seriously, I understand skepticism, I really do, but this is getting very tiresome. Gaming on OS X sucks...yet people play games on that platform and don't complain much.I'm with you. Two-years ago we were looking at the occasional indie release and hoping the next Humble Bundle would include Linux ports. Today we have over 1000 high-quality games literally at our finger tips, and deleting your Windows partition and gaming exclusively Linux is (finally!) a viable option.
Can at least celebrate this achievement a bit?
Is it where we would like it to be? Of course not. The ideal is parity with Windows, but that's still rather far in the future. Is it a significant step in the right direction? Certainly! And we should be celebrating this unprecedented success of our favorite platform.
And before people sneer at indie releases, remember that today's indie developers will be tomorrow's mainstream developers, so we want them to continue being successful on Linux.
4 Likes, Who?
Quoting: liamdaweEdit: To make my point some more, I often write about things others feel are important, but I don't. This is a prime example of it, and it's seeing some good discussion going. Do I need any other point?Nope you don't. And you're right that it's not a very good indication of where Linux Gaming is at. But it is a small indication of things improving for us. Others, such as the 7 out of 10 you mentioned or the 29 out of 50 mentioned by Eike are better indications.
But there's still a long way to go...
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Quoting: Mountain ManQuoting: PeciskCan we at least change a tone? Seriously, I understand skepticism, I really do, but this is getting very tiresome. Gaming on OS X sucks...yet people play games on that platform and don't complain much.I'm with you. Two-years ago we were looking at the occasional indie release and hoping the next Humble Bundle would include Linux ports. Today we have over 1000 high-quality games literally at our finger tips, and deleting your Windows partition and gaming exclusively Linux is (finally!) a viable option.
Can at least celebrate this achievement a bit?
Is it where we would like it to be? Of course not. The ideal is parity with Windows, but that's still rather far in the future. Is it a significant step in the right direction? Certainly! And we should be celebrating this unprecedented success of our favorite platform.
And before people sneer at indie releases, remember that today's indie developers will be tomorrow's mainstream developers, so we want them to continue being successful on Linux.
Sorry, but again, there isn't 1,000 quality Linux games on there, I can guarantee the actual number of quality games is well under 1,000 which is my point. I have nearly 500 of them, so I have a pretty damn good idea what I am talking about here when it comes to the quality of games that we have.
I think people here need to step back from their fanboyism of Linux games just because they have a Linux version, there's a massive quanitity of games on Steam for Linux that are just junk. This is my point, we need more good quality and big named games to improve our outlook. A number is just a number.
Look at my second to last bit the article, highly rated games are much more worthwhile than the overall amount of games we have.
1 Likes, Who?
GustyGhost Sep 22, 2015
Quoting: YoshiTheFox347Now we need some Lego games ????.
We already have one: http://store.steampowered.com/app/324790/
Quoting: GuestSteam also isn't the only way to get games. GOG is there, humble bundles, and also a whole group of other places (even if they're mostly indie). Valve hold far too much sway in the minds of the gaming masses, and while they do a good job, I don't think it's healthy for gaming.
I think it's a matter of Valve being the first to get their foot in the door. Everyone flocks to what is already established. It is telling to see GOG improving their Linux launchers and (hopefully eventually) Galaxy for Linux. Maybe the competition could pressure Valve into serving DRM-free.. or at least flag the games that already are as such.
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"It's always fun when I see lots of websites talking about how many games Linux now has on Steam"
You mean like this website right now?
You mean like this website right now?
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Quoting: Keyrock"It's always fun when I see lots of websites talking about how many games Linux now has on Steam"
You mean like this website right now?
I love people taking parts of a quote, and not taking in the point.
QuoteIt's always fun when I see lots of websites talking about how many games Linux now has on Steam, as the number itself doesn't really mean all that much.
1 Likes, Who?
Mountain Man Sep 22, 2015
Quoting: liamdaweThat's rather a matter of opinion, don't you think? I would be curious to know how you define a quality game.Quoting: Mountain ManSorry, but again, there isn't 1,000 quality Linux games on there, I can guarantee the actual number of quality games is well under 1,000 which is my point.Quoting: PeciskCan we at least change a tone? Seriously, I understand skepticism, I really do, but this is getting very tiresome. Gaming on OS X sucks...yet people play games on that platform and don't complain much.I'm with you. Two-years ago we were looking at the occasional indie release and hoping the next Humble Bundle would include Linux ports. Today we have over 1000 high-quality games literally at our finger tips, and deleting your Windows partition and gaming exclusively Linux is (finally!) a viable option.
Can at least celebrate this achievement a bit?
Is it where we would like it to be? Of course not. The ideal is parity with Windows, but that's still rather far in the future. Is it a significant step in the right direction? Certainly! And we should be celebrating this unprecedented success of our favorite platform.
And before people sneer at indie releases, remember that today's indie developers will be tomorrow's mainstream developers, so we want them to continue being successful on Linux.
2 Likes, Who?
Comandante Ñoñardo Sep 22, 2015
.. And this is why I'm gonna open another Steam account just for use it on Linux..
The videogame business on Linux is something new and is walking little by little, like baby steps..
We MUST support it.. My small contribution is to open a new steam account for use it on Linux and purchase games only when they are released on Linux.. I will do the same with GOG, greenman, Gamersgate, etc.
So?
How many quality games are on Windows?
in my opinion, most (about the 95 %) of those 6478 steam games that only runs on Windows are, indeed, junk, shovelware, crapware, abandonware.. choose the name you want.
We don't have much good quality games for Linux? Well, Let's make them!
We can open an international company, save money (a lot), and make our own AAA game exclusive for Linux. :P
The videogame business on Linux is something new and is walking little by little, like baby steps..
We MUST support it.. My small contribution is to open a new steam account for use it on Linux and purchase games only when they are released on Linux.. I will do the same with GOG, greenman, Gamersgate, etc.
Quoting: liamdaweSorry, but again, there isn't 1,000 quality Linux games on there, I can guarantee the actual number of quality games is well under 1,000 which is my point. I have nearly 500 of them, so I have a pretty damn good idea what I am talking about here when it comes to the quality of games that we have.
I think people here need to step back from their fanboyism of Linux games just because they have a Linux version, there's a massive quanitity of games on Steam for Linux that are just junk. This is my point, we need more good quality and big named games to improve our outlook. A number is just a number.
Look at my second to last bit the article, highly rated games are much more worthwhile than the overall amount of games we have.
So?
How many quality games are on Windows?
in my opinion, most (about the 95 %) of those 6478 steam games that only runs on Windows are, indeed, junk, shovelware, crapware, abandonware.. choose the name you want.
We don't have much good quality games for Linux? Well, Let's make them!
We can open an international company, save money (a lot), and make our own AAA game exclusive for Linux. :P
1 Likes, Who?
Quoting: Mountain ManQuoting: liamdaweThat's rather a matter of opinion, don't you think? I would be curious to know how you define a quality game.Quoting: Mountain ManSorry, but again, there isn't 1,000 quality Linux games on there, I can guarantee the actual number of quality games is well under 1,000 which is my point.Quoting: PeciskCan we at least change a tone? Seriously, I understand skepticism, I really do, but this is getting very tiresome. Gaming on OS X sucks...yet people play games on that platform and don't complain much.I'm with you. Two-years ago we were looking at the occasional indie release and hoping the next Humble Bundle would include Linux ports. Today we have over 1000 high-quality games literally at our finger tips, and deleting your Windows partition and gaming exclusively Linux is (finally!) a viable option.
Can at least celebrate this achievement a bit?
Is it where we would like it to be? Of course not. The ideal is parity with Windows, but that's still rather far in the future. Is it a significant step in the right direction? Certainly! And we should be celebrating this unprecedented success of our favorite platform.
And before people sneer at indie releases, remember that today's indie developers will be tomorrow's mainstream developers, so we want them to continue being successful on Linux.
Hence why it is an editorial. To everyone: If you have forgotten, an editorial is 100% my opinion, don't read it if you can't handle it ;)
2 Likes, Who?
tuxisagamer Sep 22, 2015
Well, one way to look at it is that over 20% of all Steam games now a Linux version. And that's exciting.
The fact that 7 of the 10 most popular games are on Linux is much more exciting.
The fact that 7 of the 10 most popular games are on Linux is much more exciting.
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