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As usual, the wider media and people who like to generate clicky headlines like to claim Steam Machines are dead in the water. The truth is though, that it's not quite so simple.
First up is a nicely presented video from The Linux Gamer that's worth a watch:
Now onto my current thoughts on the matter.
Valve have recently hired new people to work on Mesa directly, which are our open source graphics drivers. We've already seen quite a bit of work done on Mesa thanks to Valve, like increased performance, supporting higher OpenGL versions and Vulkan support and this is set to continue.
Valve also only a few days ago released SteamVR in Beta for Linux, so in future a Steam Machine should work out of the box with the Vive headset.
Valve aren't stupid. They aren't about to stop developing Steam Machines. They are clearly still heavily invested in Linux to actually pay people to make our open source graphics drivers better. I imagine their business folks are keeping a very close eye on movements inside Microsoft for how their Windows Store will progress. That is still a very real threat to Steam, especially if more developers choose to release their games on it. In reality, any store is a threat to Valve, but one tied directly to the biggest operating system around in terms of use, Valve would be idiotic to move away from SteamOS and run off into the sunset with Microsoft.
Last year we saw the largest number of AAA/bigger budget games released on Linux, ever. We had Rocket League, Total War: WARHAMMER, XCOM 2, Tomb Raider, Deus Ex: Mankind Divided, Mad Max and so on. That's only some of the major releases quickly off the top of my head, but we had tons of other high quality game releases last year too.
This year has already started extremely well for us with Civilization VI and HITMAN both already out and with DiRT Rally to follow soon. We then also have Torment: Tides of Numenera, Sudden Strike 4, Dungeons 3, Cossacks 3, Total War: SHOGUN 2 (not yet confirmed, but it looks likely) and probably many others.
Aside from games, we also have Vulkan which will see much greater traction this year. Vulkan will help to level out the performance difference for Linux vs Windows in terms of game performance. We've already seen what it can do for some games, but in time Vulkan should do better and better as developers learn more about the ins and outs of the newer API and the big games engines incorporate better support overall.
Part of the problem was that expectation was just too high, but I've always maintained that Steam Machines were never going to be an overnight success. The odds were heavily stacked against them, and yet they have still given Linux gaming plenty of wins with tons more games, better drivers, more users and so on. For those wondering about my "more users" comment, remember that the Steam Hardware Survey percentage for operating system use is a ratio, so even when the percentage drops the overall user count is probably higher due to Steam's constant growth in terms of overall user-base.
As for SteamOS itself, it will be a constant evolution that goes hand in hand with all the work Valve is doing on the Steam store directly. All the improvements they do to Steam do directly benefit SteamOS. Things like better searching tools, better recommendations, requiring developers to use proper in-game screenshots, the constant and ever improving Steam Controller (and proper config support for more gamepads) and so on. These are just some examples of things that perhaps people aren't thinking about in relation to SteamOS and Steam Machines.
Simply put, Steam Machines are not dead. Not selling like hot cakes, sure, but Valve are putting in a lot of effort behind the scenes that the wider media don't bother to look into. Why would they though? Since that wouldn't generate great headlines. Bad news sells, sad, but true.
Right now, I see SteamOS and Steam Machines as being on a temporary hiatus while Valve helps to sort out some of the inner workings to make sure future games actually work well. Progress has been good on that and I'm pretty damn happy with the way things are going right now and you should be too.
What are your current thoughts? Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
First up is a nicely presented video from The Linux Gamer that's worth a watch:
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Now onto my current thoughts on the matter.
Valve have recently hired new people to work on Mesa directly, which are our open source graphics drivers. We've already seen quite a bit of work done on Mesa thanks to Valve, like increased performance, supporting higher OpenGL versions and Vulkan support and this is set to continue.
Valve also only a few days ago released SteamVR in Beta for Linux, so in future a Steam Machine should work out of the box with the Vive headset.
Valve aren't stupid. They aren't about to stop developing Steam Machines. They are clearly still heavily invested in Linux to actually pay people to make our open source graphics drivers better. I imagine their business folks are keeping a very close eye on movements inside Microsoft for how their Windows Store will progress. That is still a very real threat to Steam, especially if more developers choose to release their games on it. In reality, any store is a threat to Valve, but one tied directly to the biggest operating system around in terms of use, Valve would be idiotic to move away from SteamOS and run off into the sunset with Microsoft.
Last year we saw the largest number of AAA/bigger budget games released on Linux, ever. We had Rocket League, Total War: WARHAMMER, XCOM 2, Tomb Raider, Deus Ex: Mankind Divided, Mad Max and so on. That's only some of the major releases quickly off the top of my head, but we had tons of other high quality game releases last year too.
This year has already started extremely well for us with Civilization VI and HITMAN both already out and with DiRT Rally to follow soon. We then also have Torment: Tides of Numenera, Sudden Strike 4, Dungeons 3, Cossacks 3, Total War: SHOGUN 2 (not yet confirmed, but it looks likely) and probably many others.
Aside from games, we also have Vulkan which will see much greater traction this year. Vulkan will help to level out the performance difference for Linux vs Windows in terms of game performance. We've already seen what it can do for some games, but in time Vulkan should do better and better as developers learn more about the ins and outs of the newer API and the big games engines incorporate better support overall.
Part of the problem was that expectation was just too high, but I've always maintained that Steam Machines were never going to be an overnight success. The odds were heavily stacked against them, and yet they have still given Linux gaming plenty of wins with tons more games, better drivers, more users and so on. For those wondering about my "more users" comment, remember that the Steam Hardware Survey percentage for operating system use is a ratio, so even when the percentage drops the overall user count is probably higher due to Steam's constant growth in terms of overall user-base.
As for SteamOS itself, it will be a constant evolution that goes hand in hand with all the work Valve is doing on the Steam store directly. All the improvements they do to Steam do directly benefit SteamOS. Things like better searching tools, better recommendations, requiring developers to use proper in-game screenshots, the constant and ever improving Steam Controller (and proper config support for more gamepads) and so on. These are just some examples of things that perhaps people aren't thinking about in relation to SteamOS and Steam Machines.
Simply put, Steam Machines are not dead. Not selling like hot cakes, sure, but Valve are putting in a lot of effort behind the scenes that the wider media don't bother to look into. Why would they though? Since that wouldn't generate great headlines. Bad news sells, sad, but true.
Right now, I see SteamOS and Steam Machines as being on a temporary hiatus while Valve helps to sort out some of the inner workings to make sure future games actually work well. Progress has been good on that and I'm pretty damn happy with the way things are going right now and you should be too.
What are your current thoughts? Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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The comments on this article are closed.
What is the actual version of the steam controller? My version is 1001.
My thoughts: Valve takes good money for the controller and everything else. I do not think they risk the farm. Thus steam machines can grow slowly or not. If Steam Machines would spread, it would be great for us, of course. Something must come as well.
They should improve the quality of the controller in my opinion. Hardware and Software. Also they need a collection of really well-supported games. Everything has to grow. But everything is on a good path. I think that on the basis of Steam Machines in a few years a Vive VR box for under 1000 dollars is possible. The Vive must also be significantly cheaper for this. With the many games that will be available before then, Steam Machines will be a strong offer.
Last edited by 1xok on 26 February 2017 at 11:16 pm UTC
My thoughts: Valve takes good money for the controller and everything else. I do not think they risk the farm. Thus steam machines can grow slowly or not. If Steam Machines would spread, it would be great for us, of course. Something must come as well.
They should improve the quality of the controller in my opinion. Hardware and Software. Also they need a collection of really well-supported games. Everything has to grow. But everything is on a good path. I think that on the basis of Steam Machines in a few years a Vive VR box for under 1000 dollars is possible. The Vive must also be significantly cheaper for this. With the many games that will be available before then, Steam Machines will be a strong offer.
Last edited by 1xok on 26 February 2017 at 11:16 pm UTC
1 Likes, Who?
In order for SteamOS to succeed there has to be a clear advantage for the consumer. The primary concerns for main stream gamers are games (quality and quantity), performance and price. Steam Machines were launched at essentially the same price as Windows based machines with equivalent specs, provided a smaller library of games with no platform specific exclusives and performed worse. Why would anybody (I'm talking mainstream gamers here) use it?
I don't think Valve will offer SteamOS exclusives, so that's off the table. Vulkan is making strides but we're a ways away from outperforming Windows based games. Optimization would help, and we see some great performance from Valve games, but most publishers don't have an incentive to optimize Linux games. In terms of the library, Valve could encourage Linux / Mac versions by offering a discount to publishers for sales on those platforms, but Valve has proven reluctant on that front.
So what's gonna change to make SteamOS a viable platform?
PS - Valve should be worried. I see on the latest fast track build of Windows that there is now an option to restrict all software to Windows Store items alone.
I don't think Valve will offer SteamOS exclusives, so that's off the table. Vulkan is making strides but we're a ways away from outperforming Windows based games. Optimization would help, and we see some great performance from Valve games, but most publishers don't have an incentive to optimize Linux games. In terms of the library, Valve could encourage Linux / Mac versions by offering a discount to publishers for sales on those platforms, but Valve has proven reluctant on that front.
So what's gonna change to make SteamOS a viable platform?
PS - Valve should be worried. I see on the latest fast track build of Windows that there is now an option to restrict all software to Windows Store items alone.
5 Likes, Who?
Quoting: STiATActually, you mentioning Android is a big hit. Since Android will be using Vulkan, that's a much higher threat to Microsoft than Valve or Steam could ever be. People develop for Android, they have to. The only question is - will Google really tackle the client/desktop OS market? I still doubt it... there are better ways to accomplish that.
We don't need to rely Google for tackling desktop OS.All we need is Vulkan and Unity on Android and we have both.
Android has a huge share on mobile side.Vr headsets are relatively cheap there when compared to Htc Vive.
And this is the milestone.Since Android sales and Android compatible Vr devices are selling better or reachable when compared to PC Vr headsets;Android way is the most likely way for developers to quick cash.So Android runs on Vulkan (7.0 or higher versions) and this devs will need to use Vulkan and most likely Unity.This will be the start of getting used to Vulkan.Why Valve announced the Steam Audio and make it available on Android too?From this cause;Vr on Android which will force developers to use Vulkan.
Vulkan has a great advantage nobody can't see.Android.Android will be the start of using Vulkan habit and this will lead them to contribute Vulkan development which will likely speed up Vulkan development.All we can do is waiting.Just keep waiting.
2 Likes, Who?
I still think Valve is waiting for Vulkan to become more accepted and used before making another push with Steam Machines. But of course the development around Mesa recently has shown Valve sees the potential in development in this area as well.
Watch for the "Star Citizen (and/or squadron 42) plus Steam Machine & VR bundle" with the Vive in 2019/2020.
Watch for the "Star Citizen (and/or squadron 42) plus Steam Machine & VR bundle" with the Vive in 2019/2020.
2 Likes, Who?
Quoting: GrazenSo what's gonna change to make SteamOS a viable platform?
I think it is more interesting for the market in the long term, because Microsoft is out then. In the moment the manufacturers are dependent on Valve and Microsoft. They also have to pay license fees to Microsoft. But I do not know, maybe they do not care.
But I think that SteamOS will push the others in the long run down. Just as Android has done it with iOS.
Last edited by 1xok on 26 February 2017 at 11:21 pm UTC
1 Likes, Who?
In an ideal world developers would be using Vulkan instead of DX12, but even if developers choose DX12 the porting process from DX12 -> Vulkan will be much easier than DX9/DX11 -> OGL. Plus instead of seeing something like 70% the performance compared to Windows, it'll be much closer if not equal the performance.
1 Likes, Who?
Steam machines are dead in the water simply because most people didn't care enough when Steam created their wall and nobody will if Microsoft do. It's not enough to offer an alternative, especially one that offers a sub-par experience for their demographic. Sadly even if SteamOS performed better than Windows for gaming it still wouldn't make a blind bit of difference. Given history, Linux fans of all people should appreciate that point. Steam Machines need to be an "OMG I have to have that" product before anyone will care enough to buy one.
Sorry to be so negative but I don't do the whole blind faith thing.
Last edited by Duckeenie on 26 February 2017 at 11:49 pm UTC
Sorry to be so negative but I don't do the whole blind faith thing.
Last edited by Duckeenie on 26 February 2017 at 11:49 pm UTC
2 Likes, Who?
Since getting a steam controller i have been using big picture mode almost exclusively. In fact it kind of brought the whole idea together. I toyed with the idea of a SteamOS install but i don't think there is any benefit to this unless your using it exclusively for gaming only and on more relaxed, less desktop orientated setup.. well, until larger gaming monitor arrive perhaps.
SteamOS is a nice vehicle and stable platform for developers to base their ports on. I haven't seen many SteamOs benchmarks but where they are it seems to pull 5 -10 fps more on titles and play smoother, but that's probably their compositor at work vs DE's that don't fully undirect or have poor undirect rules.
SteamOS is a nice vehicle and stable platform for developers to base their ports on. I haven't seen many SteamOs benchmarks but where they are it seems to pull 5 -10 fps more on titles and play smoother, but that's probably their compositor at work vs DE's that don't fully undirect or have poor undirect rules.
0 Likes
Quoting: DuckeenieSteam machines are dead in the water simply because most people didn't care enough when Steam created their wall and nobody will if Microsoft do. It's not enough to offer an alternative, especially one that offers a sub-par experience for their demographic. Sadly even if Steam Machines we're better than Windows for gaming it still wouldn't make a blind bit of difference, given history, Linux fans of all people should appreciate that point. Steam Machines need to be an "OMG I have to have that" product before anyone will care enough to buy one.
Sorry to be so negative but I don't do the whole blind faith thing.
First wave of Steam Machines done their job well.I don't think Valve didn't expect them to sale much.It was a sign from Valve,like "I'm so serious"(please not Joker why so serious comments :D ) about this Linux thing.
They did their job of raise their eyebrows and take a look at this by developers and manufacturers side.
If it won't came out,i doubt if we can get this much more quality drivers when compared to old shitty Linux drivers.I know drivers are still an issue but it's way better than before.
So yeah,Steam Machines are dead but they did their job.Sometimes you must lose for a future win and Valve is most likely did the maths before we do.
I'm saying again,it is impossible to expect Linux and SteamOS be succesfull within 3 years against Microsoft and it is working order.
1 Likes, Who?
Mountain Man Feb 27, 2017
The real question we should be asking is the one we can't answer: Is Valve happy with the current success of Linux/SteamOS/Steam Machines? Because that's what really matters. Is everything going according to plan, and just how far is Valve willing to push this experiment? I have no idea. I hope they're in it for the long-haul, because I'd hate to see commercial gaming on Linux abandoned and have to return to Windows (shudder) or turn to console gaming exclusively.
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