It seems that the big Steam update, which rolled out on December 12th disabled support for the Steam Web Browser for 32-bit distributions. Steam also no longer supports 32-bit Linux distributions.
The change wasn't listed explicitly in the client update notes, but the official Steam Knowledge Base Article has been updated to clearly list that 32-bit Linux distributions are no longer supported:
Users running on 32-bit Linux distributions will see "The Steam Browser is disabled" message when they try to access the Steam Store, overlay web browser, achievement pages or other Steam functions that open a web browser through the client, and will have to use a standalone browser to access these features now.
Other features that do not depend on the built-in browser (like Steam friends, game invites and at least part of big picture mode) are unaffected by the change.
Since the vast majority of GOL users seem to be running a 64-bit distribution on their gaming machine, most will not experience the difference, but here's the reminder for the two remaining users.
However, since all the missing functionality (aside from using the browser in the overlay) can be mitigated by logging into your Steam account in a regular desktop browser, the lack of the feature is limited to an annoyance (hopefully Valve will think about simply allowing launching games from the store) and hopefully this is a sign of a true 64-bit Steam client for Linux.
Note: Article cleaned up for publishing by liamdawe. Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
The change wasn't listed explicitly in the client update notes, but the official Steam Knowledge Base Article has been updated to clearly list that 32-bit Linux distributions are no longer supported:
QuoteLinux
32-bit Linux distributions are also no longer supported. Please install a 64-bit Linux distribution to make use of the Steam browser.
Users running on 32-bit Linux distributions will see "The Steam Browser is disabled" message when they try to access the Steam Store, overlay web browser, achievement pages or other Steam functions that open a web browser through the client, and will have to use a standalone browser to access these features now.
Other features that do not depend on the built-in browser (like Steam friends, game invites and at least part of big picture mode) are unaffected by the change.
Since the vast majority of GOL users seem to be running a 64-bit distribution on their gaming machine, most will not experience the difference, but here's the reminder for the two remaining users.
However, since all the missing functionality (aside from using the browser in the overlay) can be mitigated by logging into your Steam account in a regular desktop browser, the lack of the feature is limited to an annoyance (hopefully Valve will think about simply allowing launching games from the store) and hopefully this is a sign of a true 64-bit Steam client for Linux.
Note: Article cleaned up for publishing by liamdawe. Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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But.. the steam client is 32-bit. It uses 32-bit flash for videos. It relies on 32-bit libraries to run on a 64-bit system, but it doesn't work properly on a 32-bit system? By design?
I'm not complaining. It's just fucking weird.
This.
make the client fully 64bit also!
all games should be 64bit anyway nowadays.. valve can force devs to make 64bit versions only i guess.
There shouldn't be any 32bit systems left in the world anywhere outsides of a museum. 64bit operating systems aren't exactly a new thing. How old does a computer need to be not to be able to run one? oO
I do think 32bit's been outdated for a long time now, but it raises the question as customers: will we forever be able to play those games we paid for?
I am often left wondering, if Steam suddenly ceases to work on my system, for any reason, what would happen?
The moment after, it's the Steam sales and I empty my wallet on even more games...
Last edited by Aimela on 15 December 2016 at 9:35 pm UTC
Also, as this was so far my first GOL article, thank you liam for publishing it and everything for commenting!
Developing PC games in 32bit is bad planning if you ask me, first and foremost you're already limiting the ram usage in your game and secondly you're using an over a decade old technology.
I see a bunch of laptops everyday (97% Windows) and in the majority of cases they're 64bit. The only 32bit ones I see are either Windows XP or Vista with a Core-Duo/DDR2 era CPU.
Last edited by Avehicle7887 on 16 December 2016 at 1:24 am UTC
:(
You can talk about "phasing out", but the thing is, we are not talking here about open source software development or something. We are talking about a commercial platform on which you can buy, and theoretically own, a game without having downloaded it yet. So if I buy a game using a 32-bit computer, and then they make changes such that I can no longer download it with/to my 32-bit computer, that is something approaching fraud. If I buy a game, either they have to find some way I can take delivery of that game or they owe me my money back.
And laptops are generally shorter-lived than desktops. My laptop is quite new and certainly 64-bit. But my desktop is fairly old and 32-bit, and I do still play games on it--indeed, it will play games my laptop will not; better graphics card I believe.
Games can continue to be sold as 32-bit, but it has to be advertised that it only runs under the compatibility-mode client (which people may not opt to install). This will encourage developers to go 64-bit only, but not forcing them to do so.
By doing this, everybody wins. Valve starts doing something to phase x86 out. People with x86-only hardware can keep using Steam, albeit a minimal version (which is probably more suited to older hardware anyway). People who want to play their old 32-bit games still have the option, but have to install the compatibility build (which integrates nicely with the 64-bit build if both are installed). People who want x86 to die can keep their system clean and free of x86 Steam components!
Well, I still have my old (And main) laptop around, and I can play some old or minimalistic games on it, if I want to. The other day, I used it at a counter strike LAN party. While it wasn't great (CS is not my favourite game), It worked pretty well.
I am glad most of these old games do not require DRM, AFAIK. And you can also use steamCMD to download them.
I hope they phase out the 32 bits client in favour of a 64 bits one, but nothing prevents them from shipping a 32 bits client with reduced functionality as well.
On the other hand I might just be talking a whole lot of nosh, in which case just grab another coffee and be happy :-)
Edit: Chromium not Chrome.
Last edited by FredO on 16 December 2016 at 9:37 am UTC
Last I read they used a custom build of Chromium which is open source anyway.
Coffee you just reminded me, I have the filter pot on!