SteamOS updated, Valve drops AMDGPU-PRO for Mesa

Wow, nice to see that they didn't abandon SteamOS

Quoting: Leopard

Quoting: MohandevirI'm really curious to see what the desktop landscape will look like in 5 to 10 years from now.

For sure Win10S and Surface devices is the way of the future in Microsoft's mind. They are really stubborn about the Windows Store and the lock down that comes with it, but what's in it for us PC Gamers? Streaming devices for Xbox Scorpio? Is this what they are thinking? Is this Microsoft's vision of the post traditional desktop era?

If that's the case, Valve needs SteamOS more than ever.

Let me explain MS moves from my point of view.

1-) MS Store is an important figure to get things right for Xbox and Windows Mobile.

MS Store games are growing day-by-day and usually they have Play Anywhere feature. This means you can play your purchased games on Windows and Xbox. So that is not killing Xbox ; instead strenghtening that.

Let's think. You bought bunch of games when you're on Windows and after years you decided to become a console ( couch) player. If you choose Sony's Playstation you will start with zero games. But if you choose Xbox , you can immediately start enjoying your pre purchased games on Xbox.

That is for killing PS.

2-) Mobile side. Last year ; MS announced that Windows Phones will be able run x86 apps in the future. You can see that ; Whatsapp , Telegram , Vlc and other kind of stuff is moving into MS Store.

Plan is ; " we couldn't get attention for WP's from developers ; so if our phones can benefit from x86 apps there will be no need for another WP port effort. "

MS Store is a key element for rising of WP. In the mobile area ; rising = app variety and number. If they come head to head with Android and Ios at app basis ; rise will begin.

3-) Developer side. You know that all stuff about Linux subsystem in Windows.

Linux is better for developing languages and tools side than Windows. So they're moving to Linux. MS saw that and they offer developers to Linux based tools. Actually , there is no need for further explaining.

Just look at that Stackoverflow Developer Survey 2017.

https://insights.stackoverflow.com/survey/2017

Look at the Technology sections ; Most Loved, Dreaded, and Wanted Platforms chart. That will tell so much thing.

4-) But you are probably asking ; how is this a threat for Steam? People invested for Steam so much ; they can't move to other store.

Answer is ; GOG Connect.

People are mostly deciding by their previous investments. And that causes a little lockdown - an example : Apple Store. People are so much invested to Apple Store , the thought of buying everything again on Windows is simply freaking them and they continue to use Apple ecosystem.Even if you are developing something for Apple Store , you must sent it to store via a Mac.- on Steam . But Steam is platform agnostic ; so you can move to another platform without buying your games again ; thanks to Steam Play. Ms Store is providing that cross play for only MS based solutions.

So why is the answer is GOG Connect. GOG saw that ; if we want people attraction , we must lighten their burden of previous purchases. So they invented it. If you are binding your Steam account to GOG , you can get free GOG versions of selected titles. GOG 's library is not that much big so they can offer limited games.

MS has the power for doing that GOG Connect solution on a much bigger basis. When MS Store was big enough to get provide much desired games to players with zero pay ; gamers will move to their store automaticially. That is at least 2-3 years job but it will eventually come to this.

That effort will kill the Steam.

5-) If all of that i wrote at previous happen ; that will mean that market was succesful and MS can enjoy with market incomes.

So what is the fifth step? Free Windows for everyone. Because that market incomes can afford that OS development.

What an apocalyptic scenario! Is this the day we'll see Half Life 3 as a SteamOS exclusive? Lol!

I don't get all that stuff about GOG connect but it's still 125 millions + accounts worth of games that M$ has to "buy back"... Not an easy task. GOG would probably hit the wall much faster than that if every users were converting to GOG connect. Kill Steam... Think not. Hurt it. For sure.

Edit: This said, your idea has credit and I can easliy see Microsoft doing that for some select titles that are backed by Microsoft in some ways. Else, I fear the "price" would be way too high, even for M$. On top of that, all the modders work that is not permitted on Windows store (unless it changed lately) will permit Steam to survive... on SteamOS/Linux.


Last edited by Mohandevir on 23 May 2017 at 6:15 pm UTC

I see some confusion in here, people insisting about SteamOS being still in beta after years of development and keep waiting and wanting for that elusive stable release.
Well, SteamOS has a beta branch indeed (it always had) but it also had two stable releases already.
First one, SteamOS 1.0 Alchemist (based on Debian Wheezy) was released on 13 December 2013, and the current one SteamOS 2.0 Brewmaster (based on Debian Jessie) last updated on 30 November 2016.

And yes, it has a beta branch that was updated yesterday, update mentioned in this article.

Edit: typo


Last edited by dubigrasu on 23 May 2017 at 6:47 pm UTC

Quoting: Whitewolfe80

Quoting: ghemAwesome news <3
I sense an AMD APU based Steam Machine in a not so distant future

Aww thats cute you think Steam machines are still a thing

Dell still has Steammamchines under their Alienware brand, and also with AMD GPU since sometime last year I think. I never heard of any using a AMD based steammachine from Alienware though and until this new update is released it wouldnt make much sense, but after maybe.

Quoting: Mohandevir

Quoting: Leopard

Quoting: MohandevirI'm really curious to see what the desktop landscape will look like in 5 to 10 years from now.

For sure Win10S and Surface devices is the way of the future in Microsoft's mind. They are really stubborn about the Windows Store and the lock down that comes with it, but what's in it for us PC Gamers? Streaming devices for Xbox Scorpio? Is this what they are thinking? Is this Microsoft's vision of the post traditional desktop era?

If that's the case, Valve needs SteamOS more than ever.

Let me explain MS moves from my point of view.

1-) MS Store is an important figure to get things right for Xbox and Windows Mobile.

MS Store games are growing day-by-day and usually they have Play Anywhere feature. This means you can play your purchased games on Windows and Xbox. So that is not killing Xbox ; instead strenghtening that.

Let's think. You bought bunch of games when you're on Windows and after years you decided to become a console ( couch) player. If you choose Sony's Playstation you will start with zero games. But if you choose Xbox , you can immediately start enjoying your pre purchased games on Xbox.

That is for killing PS.

2-) Mobile side. Last year ; MS announced that Windows Phones will be able run x86 apps in the future. You can see that ; Whatsapp , Telegram , Vlc and other kind of stuff is moving into MS Store.

Plan is ; " we couldn't get attention for WP's from developers ; so if our phones can benefit from x86 apps there will be no need for another WP port effort. "

MS Store is a key element for rising of WP. In the mobile area ; rising = app variety and number. If they come head to head with Android and Ios at app basis ; rise will begin.

3-) Developer side. You know that all stuff about Linux subsystem in Windows.

Linux is better for developing languages and tools side than Windows. So they're moving to Linux. MS saw that and they offer developers to Linux based tools. Actually , there is no need for further explaining.

Just look at that Stackoverflow Developer Survey 2017.

https://insights.stackoverflow.com/survey/2017

Look at the Technology sections ; Most Loved, Dreaded, and Wanted Platforms chart. That will tell so much thing.

4-) But you are probably asking ; how is this a threat for Steam? People invested for Steam so much ; they can't move to other store.

Answer is ; GOG Connect.

People are mostly deciding by their previous investments. And that causes a little lockdown - an example : Apple Store. People are so much invested to Apple Store , the thought of buying everything again on Windows is simply freaking them and they continue to use Apple ecosystem.Even if you are developing something for Apple Store , you must sent it to store via a Mac.- on Steam . But Steam is platform agnostic ; so you can move to another platform without buying your games again ; thanks to Steam Play. Ms Store is providing that cross play for only MS based solutions.

So why is the answer is GOG Connect. GOG saw that ; if we want people attraction , we must lighten their burden of previous purchases. So they invented it. If you are binding your Steam account to GOG , you can get free GOG versions of selected titles. GOG 's library is not that much big so they can offer limited games.

MS has the power for doing that GOG Connect solution on a much bigger basis. When MS Store was big enough to get provide much desired games to players with zero pay ; gamers will move to their store automaticially. That is at least 2-3 years job but it will eventually come to this.

That effort will kill the Steam.

5-) If all of that i wrote at previous happen ; that will mean that market was succesful and MS can enjoy with market incomes.

So what is the fifth step? Free Windows for everyone. Because that market incomes can afford that OS development.

What an apocalyptic scenario! Is this the day we'll see Half Life 3 as a SteamOS exclusive? Lol!

I don't get all that stuff about GOG connect but it's still 125 millions + accounts worth of games that M$ has to "buy back"... Not an easy task. GOG would probably hit the wall much faster than that if every users were converting to GOG connect. Kill Steam... Think not. Hurt it. For sure.

Edit: This said, your idea has credit and I can easliy see Microsoft doing that for some select titles that are backed by Microsoft in some ways. Else, I fear the "price" would be way too high, even for M$. On top of that, all the modders work that is not permitted on Windows store (unless it changed lately) will permit Steam to survive... on SteamOS/Linux.

Latest movements are: Entering the Microsft Store is much more easier than before and porting Windows games to Xbox is easier than ever before.

That GOG Connect like "price" will be crucial but that is calling business and they're willing to accept some risks.

Funny that you mentioned about modders. One thing for sure ; players themselves are maintaining long life to a game via mods ( Skyrim for example) and that is a great strentgh. I agree and even Gaben agree that to.

Because of that, he was telling that modders should be paid. He simply wants to modding will be a job ; exclusive to Steam. Because in that situation ; that is not so different that Nexus Mods.

Community is a great side of Steam and Gaben knows that.

Quoting: LeopardMS Store games are growing day-by-day and usually they have Play Anywhere feature. This means you can play your purchased games on Windows and Xbox. So that is not killing Xbox ; instead strenghtening that.

Let's think. You bought bunch of games when you're on Windows and after years you decided to become a console ( couch) player. If you choose Sony's Playstation you will start with zero games. But if you choose Xbox , you can immediately start enjoying your pre purchased games on Xbox.

The UWP idea is pretty enticing, and honestly it's a pro-consumer move. I have an Xbox One (got it for free when my wife purchased a Surface Pro 4), and considered getting a few games from the Microsoft Store for that option. They're only going to add more games to their catalog.

Quoting: LeopardMS has the power for doing that GOG Connect solution on a much bigger basis. When MS Store was big enough to get provide much desired games to players with zero pay ; gamers will move to their store automaticially. That is at least 2-3 years job but it will eventually come to this.

I think you're really onto something here. The option to play my entire Steam library either on my PC or on my Xbox is something that Valve wouldn't be able to match unless Linux gaming really takes off. As a PC gamer, that's a really enticing option. However, as a FOSS-Linux-free-speech-philosopher, that's terrifying. Hopefully, in the time it would take to achieve this, Valve (and other AAA devs) begin to see the proverbial light.

On a side note, while I know that SteamOS is based on Debian, I'd actually be curious how well a Solus based SteamOS would work. The core of the Solus philosophy is a solid desktop experience based on performance, that could only translate positively for SteamOS.

Quoting: johndoe86x

Quoting: LeopardMS Store games are growing day-by-day and usually they have Play Anywhere feature. This means you can play your purchased games on Windows and Xbox. So that is not killing Xbox ; instead strenghtening that.

Let's think. You bought bunch of games when you're on Windows and after years you decided to become a console ( couch) player. If you choose Sony's Playstation you will start with zero games. But if you choose Xbox , you can immediately start enjoying your pre purchased games on Xbox.

The UWP idea is pretty enticing, and honestly it's a pro-consumer move. I have an Xbox One (got it for free when my wife purchased a Surface Pro 4), and considered getting a few games from the Microsoft Store for that option. They're only going to add more games to their catalog.

Quoting: LeopardMS has the power for doing that GOG Connect solution on a much bigger basis. When MS Store was big enough to get provide much desired games to players with zero pay ; gamers will move to their store automaticially. That is at least 2-3 years job but it will eventually come to this.

I think you're really onto something here. The option to play my entire Steam library either on my PC or on my Xbox is something that Valve wouldn't be able to match unless Linux gaming really takes off. As a PC gamer, that's a really enticing option. However, as a FOSS-Linux-free-speech-philosopher, that's terrifying. Hopefully, in the time it would take to achieve this, Valve (and other AAA devs) begin to see the proverbial light.

On a side note, while I know that SteamOS is based on Debian, I'd actually be curious how well a Solus based SteamOS would work. The core of the Solus philosophy is a solid desktop experience based on performance, that could only translate positively for SteamOS.

You are the perfect example of what I was referring too... Xbox + Surface ecosystem where Microsoft controls every aspects from hardware to software. It seems to be Microsoft's long term goal.

Will we ever find a Windows Store version of say Dota2? Microsoft may create Steam exclusives on it's own. :)

Edit: Will gamers still be prone to transfer to the Windows Store when they realize that they still need Steam for games that will never make it to the Windows store? Personnally I wouldn't be ready to give up my older titles that I still play to this day.

Let's wait and see, the upcoming battle promises to be really interresting.


Last edited by Mohandevir on 23 May 2017 at 7:55 pm UTC

Quoting: Mohandevir

Quoting: johndoe86x

Quoting: LeopardMS Store games are growing day-by-day and usually they have Play Anywhere feature. This means you can play your purchased games on Windows and Xbox. So that is not killing Xbox ; instead strenghtening that.

Let's think. You bought bunch of games when you're on Windows and after years you decided to become a console ( couch) player. If you choose Sony's Playstation you will start with zero games. But if you choose Xbox , you can immediately start enjoying your pre purchased games on Xbox.

The UWP idea is pretty enticing, and honestly it's a pro-consumer move. I have an Xbox One (got it for free when my wife purchased a Surface Pro 4), and considered getting a few games from the Microsoft Store for that option. They're only going to add more games to their catalog.

Quoting: LeopardMS has the power for doing that GOG Connect solution on a much bigger basis. When MS Store was big enough to get provide much desired games to players with zero pay ; gamers will move to their store automaticially. That is at least 2-3 years job but it will eventually come to this.

I think you're really onto something here. The option to play my entire Steam library either on my PC or on my Xbox is something that Valve wouldn't be able to match unless Linux gaming really takes off. As a PC gamer, that's a really enticing option. However, as a FOSS-Linux-free-speech-philosopher, that's terrifying. Hopefully, in the time it would take to achieve this, Valve (and other AAA devs) begin to see the proverbial light.

On a side note, while I know that SteamOS is based on Debian, I'd actually be curious how well a Solus based SteamOS would work. The core of the Solus philosophy is a solid desktop experience based on performance, that could only translate positively for SteamOS.

You are the perfect example of what I was referring too... Xbox + Surface ecosystem where Microsoft controls every aspects from hardware to software. It seems to be Microsoft's long term goal.

Will we ever find a Windows Store version of say Dota2? Microsoft may create Steam exclusives on it's own. :)

Edit: Will gamers still be prone to transfer to the Windows Store when they realize that they still need Steam for games that will never make it to the Windows store? Personnally I wouldn't be ready to give up my older titles that I still play to this day.

Let's wait and see, the upcoming battle promises to be really interresting.

Actually we're all depending on Gaben's attitude. I spoke based on " he will never cut a deal with MS" guess.

If MS approaches him like a solution like that ; Windows 10S is our future and this will not let anything outside of our store and Steam is a piece of software that needs to be installed outside of store. So what're you saying that Steam in Windows Store? If you're saying no ; then you can't sell games anymore on Windows.

If Gaben says yes to that , you can consider that Linux gaming will be dead. But this also means that MS will get their share from Gaben , because they exist on store and it has a price.

We're all depending on Gaben's attitude.

QuoteYou are the perfect example of what I was referring too... Xbox + Surface ecosystem where Microsoft controls every aspects from hardware to software. It seems to be Microsoft's long term goal.

Sounds similar :D apple ecosystem?

Quoting: Redface

Quoting: Whitewolfe80

Quoting: ghemAwesome news <3
I sense an AMD APU based Steam Machine in a not so distant future

Aww thats cute you think Steam machines are still a thing

Dell still has Steammamchines under their Alienware brand, and also with AMD GPU since sometime last year I think. I never heard of any using a AMD based steammachine from Alienware though and until this new update is released it wouldnt make much sense, but after maybe.

Yeah but they are not marketing them nobody is they have been seen as a massive flop so they have not bother updating the hardware.