It seems Valve/HTC are the latest company to release something with Linux support listed right up to release, and then remove mentions of it. This time it's the Vive VR device.
This image was sent in by a user to show the difference:
I noticed it too, and it's a little weird of Valve/HTC to do something like this. More so on Valve's side, since it's their store and they would have been well aware of the status of SteamOS/Linux support.
On March 1st a Valve employee stated this:
Yet Linux/SteamOS was still listed.
A shame, as HTC originally said Linux would have support.
I've searched around, and couldn't find anything more recent on this. So it looks like it's another thing Linux/SteamOS is being left out on for now.
They also recently added VR icons for the Oculus Rift, and SteamVR:
Hopefully it won't take too long before it gains official Linux/SteamOS support. It's just really sad to see Linux left out like this, but I'm not too fussed personally as I still don't see VR being a major thing yet as others do. In a few generations when the technology has progressed some more and prices come down, I will be much more interested.
What's more sad is others like this person did pre-order it, and they don't seem too happy.
The issue here is again: Clear communication, and the complete lack of it. Also, don't pre-order. Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
This image was sent in by a user to show the difference:
I noticed it too, and it's a little weird of Valve/HTC to do something like this. More so on Valve's side, since it's their store and they would have been well aware of the status of SteamOS/Linux support.
On March 1st a Valve employee stated this:
QuoteWe are working on it but it's not ready yet.
Yet Linux/SteamOS was still listed.
A shame, as HTC originally said Linux would have support.
I've searched around, and couldn't find anything more recent on this. So it looks like it's another thing Linux/SteamOS is being left out on for now.
They also recently added VR icons for the Oculus Rift, and SteamVR:
Hopefully it won't take too long before it gains official Linux/SteamOS support. It's just really sad to see Linux left out like this, but I'm not too fussed personally as I still don't see VR being a major thing yet as others do. In a few generations when the technology has progressed some more and prices come down, I will be much more interested.
What's more sad is others like this person did pre-order it, and they don't seem too happy.
The issue here is again: Clear communication, and the complete lack of it. Also, don't pre-order. Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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It was very obvious it won't arrive with release, due of lack of infrastructure around VR in Linux - neither OR or Vive gave any hints that it is coming any time soon, while rushing their Windows releases out.
I think due of price range we can relax quite a bit - unless VR drops to 400 USD, it really won't impact viability of SteamOS at this point. However I would like to see support delivered as soon as possible - otherwise this looks like bait and switch, which is in fact illegal in many places on Earth.
I think due of price range we can relax quite a bit - unless VR drops to 400 USD, it really won't impact viability of SteamOS at this point. However I would like to see support delivered as soon as possible - otherwise this looks like bait and switch, which is in fact illegal in many places on Earth.
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Well, screw pre-orders then.This, along with many other things that don't work on Linux, go to my do-not-care-about-it section. If you cannot use it, why bother?
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Arfff, i was expecting that, not surprised to be honest.
I hope this will be a short gap...
I hope this will be a short gap...
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Anyone care to get technical response from HTC what's holding up Vive release on Linux? Lack of resources? Drivers (admittedly, they might for AMDGPU driver to be properly released and tested)? Something else?
I suspect it is most likely all major resources being thrown at doing Windows release ASAP, and Linux version being held up due of AMD driver situation and overall testing.
It is still wrong to not to say straight up front that Linux support won't arrive at release. They knew that most likely for some time now.
I suspect it is most likely all major resources being thrown at doing Windows release ASAP, and Linux version being held up due of AMD driver situation and overall testing.
It is still wrong to not to say straight up front that Linux support won't arrive at release. They knew that most likely for some time now.
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Kimyrielle Apr 5, 2016
A bit strange coming from the gaming company that's pushing Linux harder than any other. But it makes a -little- bit of sense from a business perspective not to wait. After all, the Rift already launched, and in business it's usually not a good idea to let your competition beat you to the market if you can help it. Being first on market is a tremendous advantage and if you leave the Rift alone there for too long they will scoop up market shares that will be very hard to gain back.
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Anyone care to get technical response from HTC what's holding up Vive release on Linux? Lack of resources? Drivers (admittedly, they might for AMDGPU driver to be properly released and tested)? Something else?
I suspect it is most likely all major resources being thrown at doing Windows release ASAP, and Linux version being held up due of AMD driver situation and overall testing.
It is still wrong to not to say straight up front that Linux support won't arrive at release. They knew that most likely for some time now.
If Valve were a person they would turn up a week late to their mom's funeral.
They just can't keep deadlines.
Never ever.
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A bit strange coming from the gaming company that's pushing Linux harder than any other. But it makes a -little- bit of sense from a business perspective not to wait. After all, the Rift already launched, and in business it's usually not a good idea to let your competition beat you to the market if you can help it. Being first on market is a tremendous advantage and if you leave the Rift alone there for too long they will scoop up market shares that will be very hard to gain back.
It would be very stupid for HTC to held up Windows release just because of Linux. HTC is cash strapped, they are banking a lot with Vive VR - and frankly I hope they will get bigger market share but Facebook spares no expense at advertising shit out of OR, despite being inferior product - still it doesn't justify their poorly managed communication with Linux community - again. This is just bad, and companies should understand it just creates quite a bad start with community.
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Anyone care to get technical response from HTC what's holding up Vive release on Linux? Lack of resources? Drivers (admittedly, they might for AMDGPU driver to be properly released and tested)? Something else?
I suspect it is most likely all major resources being thrown at doing Windows release ASAP, and Linux version being held up due of AMD driver situation and overall testing.
It is still wrong to not to say straight up front that Linux support won't arrive at release. They knew that most likely for some time now.
If Valve were a person they would turn up a week late to their mom's funeral.
They just can't keep deadlines.
Never ever.
It is not, however, Valve project. It is HTC. And Valve did provide OpenVR libraries for Linux.
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Poor show, Valve.
Here's hoping they get their shit together at some point.
Here's hoping they get their shit together at some point.
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mulletdeath Apr 5, 2016
Getting treated like we don't even exist again, what else is new? I don't even want VR but here we have yet more evidence than not even Valve really believes in our platform. Makes me so salty.
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I pre-ordered an HTC Vive on the first day that was possible. I've been using GNU/Linux only since 1997, and I have no plans to move to Windows. I don't see a reason not to expect support in the near future; it won't be long. Just think of where we were five years ago. Now we have 2,000+ games on Steam, and official support for a modern virtual reality headset on the horizon. I don't mind having to wait a couple of months for support. A bit more communication from Valve's side would be welcome, of course. This is my second pre-order, by the way. The first was The Talos Principle. I didn't regret that and I don't expect to regret pre-ordering an HTC Vive. Patience, grasshoppers. :)
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They are working on the drivers right now: https://steamdb.info/depot/250823/history/
I admit I have pre-ordered the Vive instantly (waiting for VR since Oculus occured) and even bought a Windows license and installed Windows on a spare ssd (I imagine that knowing to have the herpes virus feels the same as having Windows installed), but I don't know if I wouldn't sell the device if there won't be linux support (drivers as well as plugins for Unreal Engine 4 or at least Unity 5) until 2017.
VR is much too exciting for me to not explore the possibilities (not just for games).
Last edited by gehneo on 5 April 2016 at 11:20 pm UTC
I admit I have pre-ordered the Vive instantly (waiting for VR since Oculus occured) and even bought a Windows license and installed Windows on a spare ssd (I imagine that knowing to have the herpes virus feels the same as having Windows installed), but I don't know if I wouldn't sell the device if there won't be linux support (drivers as well as plugins for Unreal Engine 4 or at least Unity 5) until 2017.
VR is much too exciting for me to not explore the possibilities (not just for games).
Last edited by gehneo on 5 April 2016 at 11:20 pm UTC
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This was expected. Valve released the VR performance test app for Windows only, so it was obvious that they are behind when it comes to SteamOS.
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GustyGhost Apr 5, 2016
So first Ashes of the Singularity sweeps all evidence of Linux promises under the rug and now this. Somebody should compile an official List of Shame for projects which silently removed Linux support.
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They released these things all wrong...Bad enough we got scammed of day one Linux support. I dont see how you can market a product to support all platforms, trick everyone into buying into a pre-order thinking it's going to work when it releases, and then only support one OS on release. I bet there are a ton of very pissed off people right now. Also that lack of supported games is just sad. ALSO....you can see it's another monopoly between Vive and Oculus...they couldn't just make one VR plugin for all headsets?? now we have to be limited to games that only support your desired headset...
Fail. I was really hoping to purchase one of these, and i am glad i didn't pre-order.
These devs really need to come out and start explaining things.
Fail. I was really hoping to purchase one of these, and i am glad i didn't pre-order.
These devs really need to come out and start explaining things.
1 Likes, Who?
They released these things all wrong...Bad enough we got scammed of day one Linux support. I dont see how you can market a product to support all platforms, trick everyone into buying into a pre-order thinking it's going to work when it releases, and then only support one OS on release. I bet there are a ton of very pissed off people right now. Also that lack of supported games is just sad. ALSO....you can see it's another monopoly between Vive and Oculus...they couldn't just make one VR plugin for all headsets?? now we have to be limited to games that only support your desired headset...
Fail. I was really hoping to purchase one of these, and i am glad i didn't pre-order.
These devs really need to come out and start explaining things.
Well it first depends on what the icons tell. Just because it has an Oculus icon does not maybe mean it wont be playable with Vive just that it won't have all the Vive features and that would be understandable.
Vive got motion cameras and support for actually seeing body movements done by the player, and motion controls to well see accurate motion done with the controls. Oculus does not, but because of that is also cheaper but will lack certain feature set that Vive contains. Also Oculus was developed before Vive and they started with their Oculus SDK and that's what most game's targeted before SteamVR even was a thing.
So before everyone got the sand in the vaginas itching hold on and lets see what the icons actually tell us. About the Linux support i'm actually surprised that everyone else is surprised that it didn't get Linux support on the first day, thought that it was given that it would take more time since HTC really rushed it just to compete with Oculus on launch dates and not leave the maket for the first months just for Oculus to hold of and wait for Linux/Mac support.
Last edited by Commander on 6 April 2016 at 6:36 am UTC
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I'm not surprised. Windows is still the primary Steam platform when dealing with the VR rat race, Linux/Mac is not a priority particularly when the other competitors are not competing in that space.
Linux/SteamOS seems to be on a slow boil, it appears that Valve do not plan on making a big splash and encouraging/forcing users over. They want users to make the decision in their own time, eventually Linux/SteamOS will reach a tipping point for that particular user and they'll switch.
Linux/SteamOS seems to be on a slow boil, it appears that Valve do not plan on making a big splash and encouraging/forcing users over. They want users to make the decision in their own time, eventually Linux/SteamOS will reach a tipping point for that particular user and they'll switch.
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