SteamVR support for Linux looks like it's getting close

The problem with VR is that most of the games are just "tests" and "minigames". I'm not buying a 900€ gadget if i cannot play big games like Rocket League, Skyrim/Fallout, Tomb Raider, XCOM... That's the thing.

Thing is, games have to be made for VR and not just ported over. It is true that VR currently lacks a "traditional" AAA-like title, but they are being worked on. Still they won't be directly comparable to what we are used to, and shouldn't. It is a paradigm shift, so developers have to re-learn what works and what doesn't, hence the tests and minigames. I think sooner rather than later we will see a "Super Mario 64"-like game changer that paves the way for how to do VR games right, and make it more than gimmick. The price right now is an issue though, I agree, but it's no different than the first PCs, laptops, mobile phones, etc.

Lastly, the thing that makes the biggest difference with VR for me, is the sense of scale (and height). No other medium have given me that, and it is really effective.

Mmm, VR is one of the few things that keeps a windows install running on my setup. Would be nice to get it going on linux.

Although for those not allready bought in, I think its better to wait. The next iteration of VR hardware is probably not that far out. If they can put something out with higher resolution it will make VR gaming sooooo much better.

There are already a few native titles in Linux that have VR support, just need the SteamVR parts in place. I have 18 in my 'VR' selection on Steam that also have an install button. I think that's up from 6 or so a few months back when I counted, and I haven't really bought that many new VR games, they are just doing ports.

Granted that may not mean they'll work under VR under Linux and just the 2d version does. But that's still not terribly bad, and since most things are written in Unity, it's a good chance most are just waiting for SteamVR to work in Linux.

The problem with VR is that most of the games are just "tests" and "minigames". I'm not buying a 900€ gadget if i cannot play big games like Rocket League, Skyrim/Fallout, Tomb Raider, XCOM... That's the thing.

Thing is, games have to be made for VR and not just ported over. It is true that VR currently lacks a "traditional" AAA-like title, but they are being worked on. Still they won't be directly comparable to what we are used to, and shouldn't. It is a paradigm shift, so developers have to re-learn what works and what doesn't, hence the tests and minigames. I think sooner rather than later we will see a "Super Mario 64"-like game changer that paves the way for how to do VR games right, and make it more than gimmick. The price right now is an issue though, I agree, but it's no different than the first PCs, laptops, mobile phones, etc.

Lastly, the thing that makes the biggest difference with VR for me, is the sense of scale (and height). No other medium have given me that, and it is really effective.

While made for VR certainly has the chance to be even better, ports can be great. Right now with the small VR userbase ports are the only way you're ever going to get the production quality that a budget of hundreds of millions (or even just millions) of dollars enables. You only get big releases right now by someone like Oculus funding it because they don't mind blowing of the money to boost the platform. I think ports have their place and I wish there were much more of them.


Last edited by badber on 15 Jan 2017 at 11:26 am UTC

Question to you who are on the fence or don't care about VR. Have you tried it? I'm not talking about using a phone, but true VR with positional tracking. It really is a transformative experience, that reminds me of the early days of accelerated 3D graphics (GL-Quake) in difference. The moment when you forget that you have a helmet on and where you are is certainly unique. It is still a very young field, and personally I need a break after 20-40 min. "inside", but the potential is huge, and true immersive VR is something I think everyone should try atleast once. If you're still not sold on it after that, fair enough, but my personal experience is that everyone who tried it, even the sceptical ones, were truly impressed.

That said, my Oculus DK2 has been sitting in the box since the company backed out of Linux support, as I won't install Windows on my PC even for VR, and Oculus has lost me as a customer. The Vive is the better experience currently of the two anyway, and the one I'd want to invest in, especially now. Not that I can afford it (and a new PC) right now, but I still believe in VR as a medium, and a next-gen helmet hopefully comming out next year I'd definitely save up for.

Well, for my part, I more or less follow a "wait and see approach". I do not have unlimited funds, and this hardware is expensive; plus, we're among the first generations of hardware, no real hand tracking, and such. If I had a lot of money, why not? But I am afraid I would underuse it anyway (I do not play that much anymore).
Now, give me a full VR system like we have in Science Fiction (SAO, Matrix, etc), and I am sold, regardless of the price ;)

Plus, games are still getting the hang of the new input methods (sadly, movement is the worst part for now). This is beta hardware and beta software. It will probably get better in a few years :)

Edit: To properly answer the question, I only tried A google cardboard, and a microsoft HoloLens, so my experience with them is not exactly stellar, even though I almost backed up the oculus rift kickstarter, though I didn't, because of the not very explicit Linux support (I can't remember exactly).


Last edited by MayeulC on 15 Jan 2017 at 10:25 pm UTC

I still think with the current state of technology, it would have been wiser to reinvent VR in arcades and take the consumer-pricing out of the picture.

Plus, I want to be Roy. :)
View video on youtube.com

I still think with the current state of technology, it would have been wiser to reinvent VR in arcades and take the consumer-pricing out of the picture.

They are doing this already, VR arcades are sprouting here!

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/nov/11/virtual-reality-firms-make-play-for-mainstream-with-video-arcades

I still think with the current state of technology, it would have been wiser to reinvent VR in arcades and take the consumer-pricing out of the picture.

They'd have to reinvent arcades first. I haven't seen one in a couple of decades.

They'd have to reinvent arcades first. I haven't seen one in a couple of decades.

https://www.heise.de/ct/ausgabe/2015-26-Ein-Besuch-im-Virtual-Reality-Center-The-Void-3015429.html
http://www.onlyvr.de/vr-arcade/134-immersive-deck-in-berlin
http://www.holocafe.de/
http://www.vrnerds.de/vroom-neue-vr-arcade-halle-im-ruhrgebiet/

They'd have to reinvent arcades first. I haven't seen one in a couple of decades.

https://www.heise.de/ct/ausgabe/2015-26-Ein-Besuch-im-Virtual-Reality-Center-The-Void-3015429.html
http://www.onlyvr.de/vr-arcade/134-immersive-deck-in-berlin
http://www.holocafe.de/
http://www.vrnerds.de/vroom-neue-vr-arcade-halle-im-ruhrgebiet/

Well I'm not German. Arcades never were that popular around here. I'm sure there are some, but I wouldn't know where to look for them.

Well I'm not German. Arcades never were that popular around here. I'm sure there are some, but I wouldn't know where to look for them.

Me neither, but it seems they are coming back. VR arcade does sound like lots of fun, you wouldn't have to care for hardware and software, ... Like with exit games or paintball. Let's see.

I have to admit VR might be a good fit for arcades if the hardware is robust enough to take the punishment.

A VR arcade just opened recently around the corner from where I live. I haven't checked it out though :)


Last edited by drmoth on 16 Jan 2017 at 10:19 pm UTC