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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The comments on this article are closed.
Quoting: ShmerlNo, 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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Quoting: t3gIts 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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Quoting: LeopardQuoting: ShmerlBeing 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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Quoting: Comandante ÑoñardoQuoting: Whitewolfe80Hell 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
Quoting: t3gIts 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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Quoting: Whitewolfe80Quoting: LeopardQuoting: ShmerlBeing 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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