Valve have ripped the lid off their latest project named 'Steam Audio', an SDK of advanced audio tools that will support Linux.
What is it exactly?
Steam Audio delivers a full-featured audio solution that integrates environment and listener simulation. HRTF significantly improves immersion in VR; physics-based sound propagation completes aural immersion by consistently recreating how sound interacts with the virtual environment.
It's currently in Beta and it will support Windows (32 bit and 64 bit), Linux (32 bit and 64 bit), macOS, and Android (ARMv-7).
It already supports Unity 5.2+ and they are working on integration with Unreal Engine 4 right now.
Epic Games will have a demo of Steam Audio in Unreal Engine at GDC next week. I'm pretty keen to hear more about it!
You can see the website for it, the github and the Steam hub. You can also see more info and some examples on this news post on Steam.
It is slightly worrying though, that this could end up being yet another reason for games to be tied to Steam unable to go on other platforms. Will be interesting to see what happens here, as lock-in isn't healthy for anyone. However, since it will run on Android, it sounds like it might be portable enough.
To be clear, it doesn't look like it is locked to Steam, at all. I do hope Valve keep it this way and it's great they released it for free like this. Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
What is it exactly?
Steam Audio delivers a full-featured audio solution that integrates environment and listener simulation. HRTF significantly improves immersion in VR; physics-based sound propagation completes aural immersion by consistently recreating how sound interacts with the virtual environment.
It's currently in Beta and it will support Windows (32 bit and 64 bit), Linux (32 bit and 64 bit), macOS, and Android (ARMv-7).
It already supports Unity 5.2+ and they are working on integration with Unreal Engine 4 right now.
Epic Games will have a demo of Steam Audio in Unreal Engine at GDC next week. I'm pretty keen to hear more about it!
You can see the website for it, the github and the Steam hub. You can also see more info and some examples on this news post on Steam.
It is slightly worrying though, that this could end up being yet another reason for games to be tied to Steam unable to go on other platforms. Will be interesting to see what happens here, as lock-in isn't healthy for anyone. However, since it will run on Android, it sounds like it might be portable enough.
To be clear, it doesn't look like it is locked to Steam, at all. I do hope Valve keep it this way and it's great they released it for free like this. Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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I doubt this will create lock in. It will probably be a check box in options menus that will be greyed out if you're not on Steam, much like Dolby Surround or EAX have been for years.
2 Likes, Who?
Will it work as an independent library in the actual games, or it's tied to Steam?
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Will it work as an independent library in the actual games, or it's tied to Steam?
It's an independent library.
6 Likes, Who?
I have been out of audio progression since I've been using smartphones and portable speakers. Even for desktop I just use a portable lol...
Headphones just kill me.
Headphones just kill me.
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Yeah, I don't trust Valve not to turn it into another lock-in. So far they failed on that front with various stuff already (Steamworks, SteamVR, controller API and so on).
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I dislike anyone trying to make games reliant on closed source libraries. Even if it's an independent lib for now, I'm sure Valve will want it tied into Steam as well. I have similar problems with SteamWorks too. Guess it'd be ok as optional, but I'd rather them pushing something FOSS.
They can't just make it FOSS because they haven't developed it themselves in the first place.
https://www.impulsonic.com/
E: Actually, no, they do own it apparently - Valve acquired that company a month ago. That still kind of explains the license isn't completely sorted out yet.
I am still not aware of any case when Valve would provide something for free and without strings attached only to change it later. Steamworks and everything else have been a clear deal right off the bat.
Last edited by Teal on 23 February 2017 at 9:20 pm UTC
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At this point is anyone surprised valve is locking in features, lots of people white knight valve but they do a lot of shady shite. I wont parrot Jim Sterling but he is not wrong about valve they are not a plucky indie company they are multi billion dollar corporation.
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I don't think that will create a lock in.I think that is developed for especially SteamOS and also SteamMachines.Also it's helpful for Linux.
Microsoft is providing Dolby Atmos for Win10 and XboxOne.That's the counter for that i guess.
Last edited by Leopard on 23 February 2017 at 10:38 pm UTC
Microsoft is providing Dolby Atmos for Win10 and XboxOne.That's the counter for that i guess.
Last edited by Leopard on 23 February 2017 at 10:38 pm UTC
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I don't think that will create a lock in.I think that is developed for especially SteamOS and also SteamMachines.Also it's helpful for Linux.
Microsoft is providing Dolby Atmos for Win10 and XboxOne.That's the counter for that i guess.
I can't see them open sourcing it though well either company really, but aside from Steam what choices do you genuinely have on Linux basically GOG and Ichio neither of which have the same range. Hell even on windows Origin and Uplay are hardly alternatives in terms of library. Of course depends of the type of game you mostly play and are into if you mainly go for indie games then there are options if you like more mainstream titles its Steam or Steam.
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I don't think that will create a lock in.I think that is developed for especially SteamOS and also SteamMachines.Also it's helpful for Linux.
Microsoft is providing Dolby Atmos for Win10 and XboxOne.That's the counter for that i guess.
I can't see them open sourcing it though well either company really, but aside from Steam what choices do you genuinely have on Linux basically GOG and Ichio neither of which have the same range. Hell even on windows Origin and Uplay are hardly alternatives in terms of library. Of course depends of the type of game you mostly play and are into if you mainly go for indie games then there are options if you like more mainstream titles its Steam or Steam.
If Valve is never do that thing,GOG or Itch will do it?Probably no,never actually.
So beside of that lockdown worries,that is nothing to worry about.If they're uncomfortable for that solution,they can develop a similar solution and make it open source.But they won't do that,everyone knows that.
Let's face it,Steam is the leader of Windows and Linux.Origin is hardly keeping it there by two or three Origin only games.BF1,Fifa and some other stuff.So why complaining about that Foss or not thing,enjoy it while you can.
Last edited by Leopard on 24 February 2017 at 12:09 am UTC
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Being a leader makes concerns of lock-in only stronger. Leaders which lock out competition become monopolists.
3 Likes, Who?
Being a leader makes concerns of lock-in only stronger. Leaders which lock out competition become monopolists.
Then tell your beloved GOG to make some improvements.I would love to see that to,i want Witcher3 on Linux,Witcher 1 and Card Game and Adventure one too,which they support Mac and Windows.(except Witcher 3). Oh also i want to see client which is available for Mac and Windows.
You're all but talking,Gog does nothing.So if you can't accept this fact,there is no point of talking.
Valve is the pioneer of Linux gaming so far,so why not Gog take a step in this world?Ohh,wait.You're right.We're not profitable.That's not Valve thinks anyway.Thank you Valve.
4 Likes, Who?
Then tell your beloved GOG to make some improvements.
Improvements to what? We are talking about development libraries, not about stores. But Valve happen to provide libraries which are tied to their store. That's a problem, and it's problem that Valve cause. Pioneer or not, lock-in is a crooked practice.
Last edited by Shmerl on 23 February 2017 at 11:35 pm UTC
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Then tell your beloved GOG to make some improvements.
Improvements to what? We are talking about development libraries, not about stores. But Valve happens to provide libraries which are tied to their store. That's a problem, and it's problem that Valve cause.
That's unclear for now.As you can see,it supports Android too which i can't relate this with the lock-in?Is there any chance that Valve try to lock-in on Android?
You know that,so many games on Android is developing by Unity these days.So that will not cause a lock in,because they're providing for Unity basically for Android.
1 Likes, Who?
Well, if this won't be tied to Steam - good. I'd prefer it to be FOSS nevertheless. But I wasn't talking about this particular case, rather about other examples of already existing lock-in.
Last edited by Shmerl on 23 February 2017 at 11:40 pm UTC
Last edited by Shmerl on 23 February 2017 at 11:40 pm UTC
1 Likes, Who?
Well, if this won't be tied to Steam - good. I'd prefer it to be FOSS nevertheless. But I wasn't talking about this particular case, but about other examples of already existing lock-in.
Are you talking about Drm?Actually it's not Steam caused problem,which is not a problem for me.Simply developers try to protect their works with drm(which is natural),Steam is not implementing that Drm s.They want it that way.And that's why Steam became so huge over years.They provided a safe zone for them.
If there is any willing developers to release Drm free versions,Gog or Itch.io s doors are fully open for them.Even they can do their own sales via their web sites.No one is forcing them to "Put your game on Steam,dammit" way.That's their choice and i think we need to respect that.
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No, I'm talking about libraries which are tied to Steam. I already referenced them above. Controller API, SteamVR, Steamworks and so on. Using them prevents developers from releasing their games outside of Steam.
Last edited by Shmerl on 23 February 2017 at 11:48 pm UTC
Last edited by Shmerl on 23 February 2017 at 11:48 pm UTC
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Comandante Ñoñardo Feb 23, 2017
Hell even on windows Origin and Uplay are hardly alternatives in terms of library. Of course depends of the type of game you mostly play and are into if you mainly go for indie games then there are options if you like more mainstream titles its Steam or Steam.
Well... Indeed Origin has an small library, but is very well curated and it has a feature that make it far superior than Steam in terms of service; Origin Access... Valve MUST take note on that..
I think Feral must have a chat with EA.
About the SDK.
The idea of the audio occlusion is interesting..
0 Likes
I doubt this will create lock in. It will probably be a check box in options menus that will be greyed out if you're not on Steam, much like Dolby Surround or EAX have been for years.
Then how it is supporting Android?There is no Steam gaming client on Android.That basically support for Unity engine.And that called co operation if you ask me.Since Android supports Vulkan and Unity is one of the earlier adopters of Vulkan,that is not so much Steam related but engine related.
Last edited by Leopard on 24 February 2017 at 12:02 am UTC
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