Here's something awesome to see, the Valve demo of the HTC Vive on Linux was using Kubuntu, and we have some pictures.
Thanks to Daniel Blair for the pics.
As mentioned before, SteamVR on Linux will use Vulkan and not OpenGL. This is probably one of the main things that held up SteamVR/HTC Vive support on Linux.
I'm really pleased it was shown off, as it now means Linux will stop missing out on this new hardware. It's one less barrier for people wanting to game on Linux.
What's interesting is that they didn't use SteamOS for the demo, what are your thoughts as to why they used Kubuntu?
I imagine it's due to Kubuntu being a more desktop-friendly OS just to "get it done" until support is properly ready in SteamOS. As for Kubuntu itself, probably just developer-choice.
No word yet on when the VR support for Linux will be officially released. Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
Thanks to Daniel Blair for the pics.
As mentioned before, SteamVR on Linux will use Vulkan and not OpenGL. This is probably one of the main things that held up SteamVR/HTC Vive support on Linux.
I'm really pleased it was shown off, as it now means Linux will stop missing out on this new hardware. It's one less barrier for people wanting to game on Linux.
What's interesting is that they didn't use SteamOS for the demo, what are your thoughts as to why they used Kubuntu?
I imagine it's due to Kubuntu being a more desktop-friendly OS just to "get it done" until support is properly ready in SteamOS. As for Kubuntu itself, probably just developer-choice.
No word yet on when the VR support for Linux will be officially released. Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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Obviously it is developer machine, so he just demoed tech. It would be cool to prepare Steam Machine, but it is unnecessary bling and PR when all you want to show is working VR on Linux.
So in nutshell SteamVR on Linux will support games supporting both SteamVR and Vulkan. I think it is fair decision to move forward considering performance requirements.
So in nutshell SteamVR on Linux will support games supporting both SteamVR and Vulkan. I think it is fair decision to move forward considering performance requirements.
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QuoteI imagine it's due to Kubuntu being a more desktop-friendly OS just to "get it done" until support is properly ready in SteamOS. As for Kubuntu itself, probably just developer-choice.I imagine it's due to Kubuntu being a more desktop-friendly OS just to "get it done" until support is properly ready in SteamOS. As for Kubuntu itself, probably just developer-choice.My thought exactly. Not too much to read into this: SteamOS isn't for the desktop, Ubuntu and Debian are, and then Kubuntu is probably just the personal preference of the dev that owns this machine/made the demo work.
On the whole, I'm not terribly excited about VR, it doesn't do much for me. But hey, if it's out there and people want it, it's a good thing to have it available on our favourite open/free platform!
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Quoting: lvlarkQuoteI imagine it's due to Kubuntu being a more desktop-friendly OS just to "get it done" until support is properly ready in SteamOS. As for Kubuntu itself, probably just developer-choice.I imagine it's due to Kubuntu being a more desktop-friendly OS just to "get it done" until support is properly ready in SteamOS. As for Kubuntu itself, probably just developer-choice.My thought exactly. Not too much to read into this: SteamOS isn't for the desktop, Ubuntu and Debian are, and then Kubuntu is probably just the personal preference of the dev that owns this machine/made the demo work.
On the whole, I'm not terribly excited about VR, it doesn't do much for me. But hey, if it's out there and people want it, it's a good thing to have it available on our favourite open/free platform!
Not excited yet about VR too, it should have broader support (Valve seems to really want to work on that), but I like that implies push for Vulkan API on SteamOS and Linux from Valve part - which I fully support. So if we are wondering why Vulkan API has been actually that quickly and well supported on Linux (Nvidia binary driver, AMD binary driver, AMD open source community driver, Intel open source driver)...now we know that Valve is banking hard on Vulkan API.
If this means more games ported with good or even performance comparing to Windows...it will be very welcome side effect from me.
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Why isn't it up to the developers if they want to use opengl or vulkan in their games?
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Quoting: grenadecxWhy isn't it up to the developers if they want to use opengl or vulkan in their games?
It still is. Just to support VR developers will have to port to Vulkan. As 99% games use engine who has Vulkan support planned - along with VR support - I doubt that will be big problem.
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GoLBuzzkill Oct 14, 2016
QuoteWhat's interesting is that they didn't use SteamOS for the demo, what are your thoughts as to why they used Kubuntu?
I imagine it's due to Kubuntu being a more desktop-friendly OS just to "get it done" until support is properly ready in SteamOS. As for Kubuntu itself, probably just developer-choice.
NOPE! Its easy, SteamOS is piece of shit even its own creator, Valve, wont use it; lets just be honest.
Quoting: grenadecxWhy isn't it up to the developers if they want to use opengl or vulkan in their games?
First, if it is up to developers they will always pick D3D and PSGL/GNM/GNMX. Second, state of OGL performance and support on Linux is terrible (in Mesa and AMD drivers), for VR you need performance, so they are hoping that forcing Vulkan will save them.
Last edited by GoLBuzzkill on 14 October 2016 at 10:39 am UTC
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Quotehelp-up SteamVR/HTC Vive support on Linux.Do you mean held up?
Last edited by BOYSSSSS on 14 October 2016 at 10:39 am UTC
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Quoting: PeciskIt still is. Just to support VR developers will have to port to Vulkan. As 99% games use engine who has Vulkan support planned - along with VR support - I doubt that will be big problem.
Still that's kinda a bummer. While I love Vulkan, OpenGL works with VR on Windows...someone that wants to port that over to Linux shouldn't need to convert it to Vulkan in my opinion. What is it that makes VR only work with Vulkan on Linux?
Quoting: GoLBuzzkillFirst, if it is up to developers they will always pick D3D and PSGL/GNM/GNMX. Second, state of OGL performance and support on Linux is terrible (in Mesa and AMD drivers), for VR you need performance, so they are hoping that forcing Vulkan will save them.
Terrible? It's more or less the same state as OGL on Windows.
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Valve actually embraces the usage of linux desktops, SteamOS is just their solution for people who want to be always on the couch and have plug and play experience... It's no surprise that they used a normal distro :)
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