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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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.
Yes,i agree on that.Some brave and not on money lust companies like GOG and Cdpr needed to create API s,which not tied to anything.Yes,i think they should do it.That will be good for everyone.All we need to do is wait i guess.
Last edited by Leopard on 23 February 2017 at 11:58 pm UTC
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Its funny how Valve complained about the Windows Store being a walled garden and then make their own software an even bigger one by releasing more and more APIs and libraries to force you to use Steam.
That's why gaming in Linux, if you use Steam, is no less of a closed platform than gaming on Windows. Non-free store to play non-free games. Oh and both work best using non-free AMD and Nvidia graphics drivers. You can say that amdgpu is open, but it requires non-free binary firmware.
Last edited by t3g on 24 February 2017 at 12:21 am UTC
That's why gaming in Linux, if you use Steam, is no less of a closed platform than gaming on Windows. Non-free store to play non-free games. Oh and both work best using non-free AMD and Nvidia graphics drivers. You can say that amdgpu is open, but it requires non-free binary firmware.
Last edited by t3g on 24 February 2017 at 12:21 am UTC
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Its funny how Valve complained about the Windows Store being a walled garden and then make their own software an even bigger one by releasing more and more APIs and libraries to force you to use Steam.
That's why gaming in Linux, if you use Steam, is no less of a closed platform than gaming on Windows. Non-free store to play non-free games.
Can you look up a little bit?How it is possible to lock in which is also available on Android?Is there an Android Steam gaming client that we don't know?
Last edited by Leopard on 24 February 2017 at 12:23 am UTC
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About firmware, did anyone try to reverse engineer it for AMD GPUs? They don't lock it like Nvidia.
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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.
Wait Valve are the pioneers of linux gaming how old are you like 10 it was actually ID that pioneered triple A gaming on linux back in the day and then after that Loki then it went dead for a long time and then valve came along they did not pioneer they merely picked up from where others left off.
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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..
I would love to have EA games come to Linux but be tough sell EA would want to control the api on linux and its whether they would put the initial resources on the client. Oh yeah I agree some time ago I bought BF1 for a friend but they already had it they gave me a full refund without arguing and i spoke to actual person and not a bot. The store is not really curated in the fact they only offer games from ubisoft and Ea if they could get the same number of studios as Valve on their system they would. Always remember this is EA we are talking about the original eater of studios and destroyer of franchises.
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Pompesdesky Feb 24, 2017
Its funny how Valve complained about the Windows Store being a walled garden and then make their own software an even bigger one by releasing more and more APIs and libraries to force you to use Steam.
That's why gaming in Linux, if you use Steam, is no less of a closed platform than gaming on Windows. Non-free store to play non-free games. Oh and both work best using non-free AMD and Nvidia graphics drivers. You can say that amdgpu is open, but it requires non-free binary firmware.
I guess everyone agrees that Valve is not a charity, they're making business and are trying to bring and keep players on their store. Whether that be evil or not is up to you.
However you have to water down a little your position, for example saying "both work best using non-free AMD and Nvidia graphics drivers" when Valve is actually paying people to work on the AMD open source driver is a little harsh....
I know Valve is not an angel company, but without them I'd still be using Windows, I personaly see this as a benefit and I'm thankfull they're doing at least what they're doing for Linux ^_^
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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.
Wait Valve are the pioneers of linux gaming how old are you like 10 it was actually ID that pioneered triple A gaming on linux back in the day and then after that Loki then it went dead for a long time and then valve came along they did not pioneer they merely picked up from where others left off.
I m talking about now.Anybody who is not blind can see this fact.
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Doc Angelo Feb 24, 2017
Why do such discussions have to be taken to the extreme? Valve is not the omnipotent Linux savior, just as much as Valve did not contribute nothing to the situation we have now.
The SDK is freely available. It is not tied to Steam. It is not even tied to their own game engine.
The SDK is freely available. It is not tied to Steam. It is not even tied to their own game engine.
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Not FOSS? Not interrested, sorry.
I mean, even if I would develop a commercial game, why would I rely on 3rd party libraries that I have no control and code of? Just so that down the line in 5 years my game becomes unusable and unupdateable if said 3rd party library is no longer being made, or the company that made it bankrupt. Or I want to port to a new platform the library doesn't support...
I mean, even if I would develop a commercial game, why would I rely on 3rd party libraries that I have no control and code of? Just so that down the line in 5 years my game becomes unusable and unupdateable if said 3rd party library is no longer being made, or the company that made it bankrupt. Or I want to port to a new platform the library doesn't support...
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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.
Wait Valve are the pioneers of linux gaming how old are you like 10 it was actually ID that pioneered triple A gaming on linux back in the day and then after that Loki then it went dead for a long time and then valve came along they did not pioneer they merely picked up from where others left off.
I m talking about now.Anybody who is not blind can see this fact.
How are they pioneering they are a store front they make linux more visable sure i ll give you that one but that is to help them as much as it is to help the community.
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.
They are pioneering by making stand behind the Vulkan,their Steam and SteamOS announcement is one of the main reasons that developers are keep in mind Linux.
They're not engineering,you're right.But they're advertising it by these things.
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Wait Valve are the pioneers of linux gaming how old are you like 10 it was actually ID that pioneered triple A gaming on linux back in the day and then after that Loki then it went dead for a long time and then valve came along they did not pioneer they merely picked up from where others left off.
I m talking about now.Anybody who is not blind can see this fact.
Valve haven't really pioneered much at all. They do put money into some things and help them along, but the #1 thing they bring to the table is actually visibility - it makes developers notice GNU/Linux a bit more when they might otherwise not have done so.
I'm not saying Valve haven't done anything, because they have. I wouldn't say they've pioneered much though. Just out of interest, what do you think they've actually done that could be considered pioneering? It's probably a lot less than you're thinking.
Yes,exactly.I'm talking about visibility.You can have greatest system but if developers didn't notice you a bit;you are nothing.
They are pioneering by making stand behind the Vulkan,their Steam and SteamOS announcement is one of the main reasons that developers are keep in mind Linux.
They're not engineering,you're right.But they're advertising it by these things.
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Valve is the pioneer of Linux gaming so far,
Repeating this permanently does not make it true.
Pioneers of Linux gaming have been Loki/LGP and Humble Inc.
Valve jumped on a rolling truck - I do not call that a Pioneer.
Valve has enough power to keep that truck (actually wheel fits more) rolling,opposite of them.
That's funny that you're keeping Valve and Loki at the same category.Yeah,people just become aware with Loki,yeah yeah.We're greatful to Loki,all respects.But;seriously?!
http://www.lokigames.com/products/
Steam is great marketing platform for gamers and if it is not in a platform,you can consider it dead for gaming.Valve make it available at 2013 for Linux;at this moment if Linux gaming come to this point we can't deny their contribution.
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But i'm not saying that Valve did the engineering.Your all examples based on that.
Valve did the marketing side,which is so important.If you cannot advertise and can't make viable a platform;all of your tools means nothing.
I know AMD did the Mantle,which evolved to Vulkan but one of the strongest backers is Valve,because of aim for get rid from OpenGL and have a competitor API against Dx.
I'm so greatful to Unity,Loki etc. but eventually Valve is pushing up Linux gaming.And that Steam Audio is one of the examples of this co operation.
Unity is one of the engines who officially supported by Steam Audio.
Some people here are so simplfying Valve's contributions but they forget before 2013.Now we have 3000+ games on Steam and much more AAA games than ever.
I wish also GOG platform can contribute and support Linux like Valve but they think that is not viable.So in this condition,hating Valve is a nasty thing.Because they have a major impact on Linux gaming,while other markets don't.
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Doc Angelo Feb 25, 2017
The Linux version of the Unity editor came before Steam on Linux? Steam for Linux came out in 2013, the Unity editor is still in beta right now for Linux. Maybe you mean the export capability?
Also, they may have bought the Audio Engine *because* it supports Linux. :)
Also, they may have bought the Audio Engine *because* it supports Linux. :)
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drakkar123 Feb 28, 2017
I am not sure why there are always people that jump to the worst conclusion possible about anything to do with Valve, but Steam Audio is 100% royalty-free and they have made the source code available as well. There is a link provided to the GIT page right in the original post, or take a look here- https://github.com/ValveSoftware/steam-audio/releases
Right now they have a Unity plugin and a C API for integrating into custom engines. They are also working on Unreal Engine, FMOD and WWise support. It appears that it is NOT tied to, or dependent on, any other Steam software. I am fairly sure that their main motivation for developing it was they needed a good 3D audio library for Linux, to use with SteamVR on SteamOS, which they have been working on recently. But it is still in their best interests to make the source code freely available for wide adoption to anyone that wants to use it. But considering there are not a lot of royalty free high quality 3D audio options out there that are multi-platform, I can't see this as anything but good for anyone calling themselves a Linux gamer.
OpenAL is partly free, but for the more advanced features, Creative holds the rights on it and licenses it out, and I don't think MS will be sharing any of their crap anytime soon (thankfully). Sure, I would have preferred to see a full GPL license on Steam Audio, but I am still all for any free option, with freely available source code, especially if it provides a high quality, free alternative to other "less friendly" companies.
Right now they have a Unity plugin and a C API for integrating into custom engines. They are also working on Unreal Engine, FMOD and WWise support. It appears that it is NOT tied to, or dependent on, any other Steam software. I am fairly sure that their main motivation for developing it was they needed a good 3D audio library for Linux, to use with SteamVR on SteamOS, which they have been working on recently. But it is still in their best interests to make the source code freely available for wide adoption to anyone that wants to use it. But considering there are not a lot of royalty free high quality 3D audio options out there that are multi-platform, I can't see this as anything but good for anyone calling themselves a Linux gamer.
OpenAL is partly free, but for the more advanced features, Creative holds the rights on it and licenses it out, and I don't think MS will be sharing any of their crap anytime soon (thankfully). Sure, I would have preferred to see a full GPL license on Steam Audio, but I am still all for any free option, with freely available source code, especially if it provides a high quality, free alternative to other "less friendly" companies.
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