Another month, and another Steam Hardware Survey.
First of all, here's the overall market share:
Linux overall for March
0.85% - 0.06%
Ubuntu 15.10 64 bit 0.19% 0.00%
Ubuntu 14.04.4 LTS 64 bit 0.17% +0.17%
Linux Mint 17.3 Rosa 64 bit 0.09% 0.00%
Linux 64 bit 0.08% - 0.01%
Onto my usual point: At face value you might assume Linux use is just dropping. It's likely that growth in general has just outpaced Linux growth. So don't be too sad about it.
As for Distribution popularity, Ubuntu still remains top dog.
Linux by itself
Ubuntu 15.10 64 bit 20.20% +0.83%
Ubuntu 14.04.4 LTS 64 bit 17.78% +17.78%
Linux Mint 17.3 Rosa 64 bit 9.84% +0.12%
Linux 64 bit 8.74% -0.46%
Other 43.44% -1.13%
You know me by now. I don't think these statistics are really to be trusted. One of the main problems is that we have no idea how they are sampling the data, and we don't know how we are supposed to read it.
SteamOS and Steam Big Picture do not get the survey yet either. That's a chunk of people we already know that aren't even counted.
So basically, business as usual, we are doing fine. Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
First of all, here's the overall market share:
Linux overall for March
0.85% - 0.06%
Ubuntu 15.10 64 bit 0.19% 0.00%
Ubuntu 14.04.4 LTS 64 bit 0.17% +0.17%
Linux Mint 17.3 Rosa 64 bit 0.09% 0.00%
Linux 64 bit 0.08% - 0.01%
Onto my usual point: At face value you might assume Linux use is just dropping. It's likely that growth in general has just outpaced Linux growth. So don't be too sad about it.
As for Distribution popularity, Ubuntu still remains top dog.
Linux by itself
Ubuntu 15.10 64 bit 20.20% +0.83%
Ubuntu 14.04.4 LTS 64 bit 17.78% +17.78%
Linux Mint 17.3 Rosa 64 bit 9.84% +0.12%
Linux 64 bit 8.74% -0.46%
Other 43.44% -1.13%
You know me by now. I don't think these statistics are really to be trusted. One of the main problems is that we have no idea how they are sampling the data, and we don't know how we are supposed to read it.
SteamOS and Steam Big Picture do not get the survey yet either. That's a chunk of people we already know that aren't even counted.
So basically, business as usual, we are doing fine. Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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Some you may have missed, popular articles from the last month:
The comments on this article are closed.
The numbers are so steady and tendency so consistent that I don't think there's much reason to doubt the numbers that much any more. Had they been very untrustworthy the variations from month to month would have been a lot greater.
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Quoting: GuestQuoting: seveni don't know anyone who uses steamOs, i honestly think not alot of people use it
Most everyone who buys a Steam Machine?
How many do you know who's done that?
... Exactly.
Last edited by Beamboom on 2 April 2016 at 3:16 pm UTC
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Mountain Man Apr 2, 2016
Quoting: PeciskMust be spring or something, you are way too optimistic for Linux gamer.It's the summer of Linux!
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Mountain Man Apr 2, 2016
Quoting: BeamboomThe numbers are so steady and tendency so consistent that I don't think there's much reason to doubt the numbers that much any more. Had they been very untrustworthy the variations from month to month would have been a lot greater.All that means is that the survey methodology is apparently consistent and not that the numbers are necessarily accurate.
Last edited by Mountain Man on 2 April 2016 at 3:26 pm UTC
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Let's face it, every statistical indicator tells us that Linux gaming is practically non-existant, with percentages so low to be almost considered just noise.
If games are still published with (seldom good) Linux support, it's only because Valve, which is now terrified by the Windows-XBox convergence, is pouring big dollars to convince the publishers to do so.
And this is hardly surprising, given the fact that there are zero-nada-null-zilch reasons for a PC gamer to not use Windows.
Games (the very few that have Linux support) perform worse 90% of the times, no modding tools, no recording/streaming tools, no community tools, very limited hardware/configuration support for controllers, lots of games don't even work on AMD cards ffs! .... etc.
Given the grim situation, I would say 0.85% is a surprisingly high value.
If games are still published with (seldom good) Linux support, it's only because Valve, which is now terrified by the Windows-XBox convergence, is pouring big dollars to convince the publishers to do so.
And this is hardly surprising, given the fact that there are zero-nada-null-zilch reasons for a PC gamer to not use Windows.
Games (the very few that have Linux support) perform worse 90% of the times, no modding tools, no recording/streaming tools, no community tools, very limited hardware/configuration support for controllers, lots of games don't even work on AMD cards ffs! .... etc.
Given the grim situation, I would say 0.85% is a surprisingly high value.
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For the first time ever, I finally saw the Steam survey pop up while in Ubuntu.
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whitewolfguy Apr 2, 2016
Quoting: barottoAnd this is hardly surprising, given the fact that there are zero-nada-null-zilch reasons for a PC gamer to not use Windows.
Given the grim situation, I would say 0.85% is a surprisingly high value.
There are many reasons for a regular user to use Linux (stability, security, better update system, more customization options, the O.S. is free and you do not need to resort to piracy, ...) therefore it would be great to take all these advantages to PC gamers, the Linux devantagens cited by you, not are because Windows is better as a S.O. , but because manufacturers/developers of games still do not give due attention to Linux. And the monopoly of Microsft is good for PC gamers? And with all the current disadvantages Linux still has almost 1% of the players of Steam, imagine if support for Linux was equal to Windows? As this percentage would go up?
Last edited by whitewolfguy on 2 April 2016 at 6:59 pm UTC
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Quoting: barottoLet's face it, every statistical indicator tells us that Linux gaming is practically non-existant, with percentages so low to be almost considered just noise.
If games are still published with (seldom good) Linux support, it's only because Valve, which is now terrified by the Windows-XBox convergence, is pouring big dollars to convince the publishers to do so.
And this is hardly surprising, given the fact that there are zero-nada-null-zilch reasons for a PC gamer to not use Windows.
Games (the very few that have Linux support) perform worse 90% of the times, no modding tools, no recording/streaming tools, no community tools, very limited hardware/configuration support for controllers, lots of games don't even work on AMD cards ffs! .... etc.
Given the grim situation, I would say 0.85% is a surprisingly high value.
Fact you throw everything in one bag despite each case being different - controllers are very well supported on Linux, OBS says hello regarding streaming and recording, no community tools? What, do we need some special Skype version to be considered? Lot of games don't even work on AMD cards properly even on Windows platform.
But sure, be that "Linux is doomed" guy. It is cheap, and false, but you knew already that anyway.
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Something else to think about is that Linux gamers might also be switching to playing solely on big picture/steamOS at a higher ratio than non-Linux gamers. Which excludes them from the survey.
At first glance you might think that the percentage should still stay the same because some windows users are doing the same thing. However, I'd imagine that Linux users would have a much larger percentage of people interested in steamOS than the general steam population. Even if it's just for testing purposes. So you would expect that our relative percentage in steams survey would drop as more people would be missing the survey due to SteamOS.
Last edited by stss on 2 April 2016 at 5:12 pm UTC
At first glance you might think that the percentage should still stay the same because some windows users are doing the same thing. However, I'd imagine that Linux users would have a much larger percentage of people interested in steamOS than the general steam population. Even if it's just for testing purposes. So you would expect that our relative percentage in steams survey would drop as more people would be missing the survey due to SteamOS.
Last edited by stss on 2 April 2016 at 5:12 pm UTC
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Quoting: GuestLinux is still largely unknown and when it is known it's often thought of as something too hard and horrible to use. Even many "geeks" have this outdated attitude about Linux.
And also there's certain doom and gloom and disbelief because of years of broken promises...and it is somewhat self-fulfilling prophecy at this point.
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GustyGhost Apr 2, 2016
2016, Steam survey reports <1% Linux use: "OMG guys, this survey isn't accurate! It's all flawed!"
2020, Steam survey reports ~5% Linux use: "Wow, look how many of us there are! These numbers are accurate!"
2020, Steam survey reports ~5% Linux use: "Wow, look how many of us there are! These numbers are accurate!"
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Quoting: Mountain ManQuoting: BeamboomThe numbers are so steady and tendency so consistent that I don't think there's much reason to doubt the numbers that much any more. Had they been very untrustworthy the variations from month to month would have been a lot greater.All that means is that the survey methodology is apparently consistent and not that the numbers are necessarily accurate.
In theory that is a straw to cling to. But in practise, we know it's not the same ones picked out each month so the selection varies. That much we do know - and from that we also know that the mass of the selection is large enough for the numbers to be as consistent as they are. And why on earth would they have a methodology that would favour one of the platforms at the expense of the others - especially considering Valves investment in Linux. Just why, what can possibly the motivation be behind that. We all see it doesn't make sense.
Bite the sour grape folks, and let go of the straws: We are tiny today. It's just how it is. Let's just take it from there and look forth.
Last edited by Beamboom on 2 April 2016 at 8:12 pm UTC
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ElectricPrism Apr 2, 2016
Quoting: AnxiousInfusion2016, Steam survey reports <1% Linux use: "OMG guys, this survey isn't accurate! It's all flawed!"
2020, Steam survey reports ~5% Linux use: "Wow, look how many of us there are! These numbers are accurate!"
Holy whack unstatistical statistics batman!
Unix usage has gone through the roof!
Serious question: How does one play games on Linux?
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I'm not a statistics guy, but that smells like a bug:
Ubuntu 15.10 64 bit 0.19% 0.00%
Ubuntu 14.04.4 LTS 64 bit 0.17% +0.17%
Linux Mint 17.3 Rosa 64 bit 0.09% 0.00%
Linux 64 bit 0.08% - 0.01%
Ubuntu 15.10 64 bit 20.20% +0.83%
Ubuntu 14.04.4 LTS 64 bit 17.78% +17.78%
Linux Mint 17.3 Rosa 64 bit 9.84% +0.12%
Linux 64 bit 8.74% -0.46%
0.19*100 = 19.00 =~ 20.20%
0.17*100= 17.00 =~ 17.78
0.08*100= 8.00 =~ 8.74
Sooooo.... they corrected it in April, and wont say a word ;-)
Ubuntu 15.10 64 bit 0.19% 0.00%
Ubuntu 14.04.4 LTS 64 bit 0.17% +0.17%
Linux Mint 17.3 Rosa 64 bit 0.09% 0.00%
Linux 64 bit 0.08% - 0.01%
Ubuntu 15.10 64 bit 20.20% +0.83%
Ubuntu 14.04.4 LTS 64 bit 17.78% +17.78%
Linux Mint 17.3 Rosa 64 bit 9.84% +0.12%
Linux 64 bit 8.74% -0.46%
0.19*100 = 19.00 =~ 20.20%
0.17*100= 17.00 =~ 17.78
0.08*100= 8.00 =~ 8.74
Sooooo.... they corrected it in April, and wont say a word ;-)
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We already know these HARDWARE surveys are flawed in more ways than one, especially when it comes to the SOFTWARE statistics it reports.
So, why do we care, again?
So, why do we care, again?
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Just want to point some things out.
Truth, Valve is only interested in Linux to make sure it's game delivery system stays viable and nothing messes with their model. Once Microsoft backed off on their closed garden Valve relaxed it's efforts to push for Linux gaming as there wasn't a need but keep it around just to be sure....
Falsity, Linux isn't a viable game platform. Anything can be a viable gaming platform if even 10 years ago you thought mobile gaming would be this big you're ahead of the curve by a long shot.
Truth, Linux gaming has some serious issues... All gaming has issues otherwise games would just poof into existence by toddlers.
Falsity, Our percentage is 100% accurate... No it's not but probably at least in the ball park, I would grant .5% on a survey in a heart beat but I doubt it's anything over a percent off at any given time. Its model needs serious work.
Last edited by Xzyl on 3 April 2016 at 3:36 pm UTC
Truth, Valve is only interested in Linux to make sure it's game delivery system stays viable and nothing messes with their model. Once Microsoft backed off on their closed garden Valve relaxed it's efforts to push for Linux gaming as there wasn't a need but keep it around just to be sure....
Falsity, Linux isn't a viable game platform. Anything can be a viable gaming platform if even 10 years ago you thought mobile gaming would be this big you're ahead of the curve by a long shot.
Truth, Linux gaming has some serious issues... All gaming has issues otherwise games would just poof into existence by toddlers.
Falsity, Our percentage is 100% accurate... No it's not but probably at least in the ball park, I would grant .5% on a survey in a heart beat but I doubt it's anything over a percent off at any given time. Its model needs serious work.
Last edited by Xzyl on 3 April 2016 at 3:36 pm UTC
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Crazy Penguin Apr 3, 2016
Quoting: GuestWouldn't be so sure. I played around with it for almost two weeks before I replaced it with a regular Linux Distribution. Most people I know with Steam Machines have done the same, and replaced it as well after a few days. It has to many flaws.Quoting: seveni don't know anyone who uses steamOs, i honestly think not alot of people use itMost everyone who buys a Steam Machine?
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Crazy Penguin Apr 3, 2016
Quoting: whitewolfguyDoes SteamOs add a percentage to this data?No, as far I know they are still not counted. So hopefully there are few millions SteamOS User which haven't been counted yet :)
Quoting: whitewolfguyWine counts as Windows. Which version depends on how you have configured Wine. You can see as which Window version it counts in the survey data which Steam shows you before you send the survey.Quoting: Comandante oardoA lot of people is using Steam on Linux via WINe, How the statistics of the Steam Hardware Survey recognize those accounts?.. As Windows XP users? As Others?Good question, I also have this doubt.
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Quoting: BeamboomQuoting: GuestQuoting: seveni don't know anyone who uses steamOs, i honestly think not alot of people use it
Most everyone who buys a Steam Machine?
How many do you know who's done that?
... Exactly.
I bought an i3 Alienware Steam Machine and I run SteamOS 2.0 Brewmaster on it in full desktop mode with the main Debian repos added.
I actually like the machine quite a bit. Tiny, runs super quiet, hibernate/resume is fast and reliable. It's a nice little gaming+desktop Debian mini PC. It easily has enough horsepower to run just about all my games well, except for the larger more AAA graphics titles - which I still run on my main Ubuntu PC.
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I actually have SteamOS on my Steam Machine, and I don't plan and changing that to a normal distribution any time soon. I find everything about it more convenient when gaming from the sofa, or doing co-op with the girlfriend.
It has issues yes, but what system doesn't?
It has issues yes, but what system doesn't?
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