Every month Valve put out their hardware survey, inside it shows off the market-share of operating systems and Linux has continued to decline.
For September 2017, Linux was at 0.60%. This is far from where Linux market-share on Steam was some time ago, although it has never been all that high anyway.
Here's a chart provided to me by EndeavourAccuracy (thanks!), which shows the unfortunate trend:
There could be many reasons for this, all of which I've probably mentioned before at some point. The one thing I would like to stress though, is that market-share declining doesn't necessarily mean less people. The amount of people using Linux for gaming on Steam, might actually be increasing, just not as quickly as Windows so it gets swallowed up. We know for a fact Steam is constantly growing and perhaps in markets where Linux isn't popular pushing the Linux share down. However, the opposite could obviously be true too.
I don't claim to have any answers on it. All we can do is speculate, since we know nothing about how Valve actually pick the systems that get selected for a survey. We know nothing about the numbers behind the percentages, or well, anything really.
We do need to take into account people who dual-boot, which isn't going to be a small number. Even our own limited survey shows about 31.78% of people also use Windows.
Obviously it's not good to see this trend, but as long as Linux games sell enough for a developer to be happy, that's the main point. Going by the last time I spoke to multiple developers about sales of their Linux games, most games mentioned in that article were selling well above the current percentage of Linux gamers as tracked by Steam.
I highly doubt Feral Interactive would also be announcing another Linux port, if the real amount of Linux gamers was declining either, since the types of titles they port would likely need a lot of sales to be worth it, yet they have two new titles currently being teased for Linux.
What are your thoughts on this?
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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Because there are less and less games for Linux.
Valve is not pushing SteomOS like it used to; maybe they abandoned SteamOS idea?
What it means is, game publishers have no incentive to make Linux ports anymore.
I suspect bribery.
Valve is not pushing SteomOS like it used to; maybe they abandoned SteamOS idea?
What it means is, game publishers have no incentive to make Linux ports anymore.
I suspect bribery.
0 Likes
it's a bit sad thing.. but for me, computer is mostly for other things than gaming.. and for the work that I do, Linux is way superior system, so that is why I am using it.. having games on it is just a plus.
maybe that has something to do with it for other people too.. I don't know, maybe gamers more are familiar in Windows environment, it usually comes with computer preinstalled, and if you are mostly just gaming, why would you bother to install Linux? I mean, you just launch Steam, and choose game and go.. it's same on both platforms.
.b
maybe that has something to do with it for other people too.. I don't know, maybe gamers more are familiar in Windows environment, it usually comes with computer preinstalled, and if you are mostly just gaming, why would you bother to install Linux? I mean, you just launch Steam, and choose game and go.. it's same on both platforms.
.b
2 Likes, Who?
Luke_Nukem 3 Oct 2017
Eh... What a crock. They need to provide hard stats for actual concurrent users at peak and off peak, not the survey.
I hardly ever use Steam anymore, GOG is where I spend my $$ these days.
I hardly ever use Steam anymore, GOG is where I spend my $$ these days.
0 Likes
Duke Takeshi 3 Oct 2017
Hm, I guess the main question is if this trend will make linux gamedevs and porters to do less linux games in the future, and currently I don't see this trend, as liam already pointed out. What I really hope for in the next years is a good streaming service for games, which would make it possible to play windows games on linux without having to have a dual boot.
What I also always wonder is why the game devs themselves don't like to play their own games on linux. The proportion of linux users in programming is much higher than for the average user. So why don't the people who actually program the game say 'hey, I'm using linux anyway to program this engine, why not making it possible to run it on this machine?'.
What I also always wonder is why the game devs themselves don't like to play their own games on linux. The proportion of linux users in programming is much higher than for the average user. So why don't the people who actually program the game say 'hey, I'm using linux anyway to program this engine, why not making it possible to run it on this machine?'.
0 Likes
I honestly think the numbers of linux users are actually growing, but slower than those of Windows users.
Most likely due to Steam getting momentum in the Chinese market - which is afaik mostly Windows.
That would also explain the totally weird growth in Windows 7!
Most likely due to Steam getting momentum in the Chinese market - which is afaik mostly Windows.
That would also explain the totally weird growth in Windows 7!
0 Likes
I bought a GPD WIN to run linux. As it comes pre-installed with windows (you need it to downgrade the BIOS to be able to use features like OTG which is not at all supported on windows), I gave it a try. Even installed steam.
My conclusion: even with a disconnected system like the gpd win it managed to fuck up the steam settings on my steam machine (I lost every steam controller setting that I did not export).
To install gta IV I had to jump through more hoops than wine on linux.
To install gta SA I even had to jump through even more hoops.
Then this constant nagging of that I have to activate it, and when I try that it says I need to buy a license...
I forgot what an easy life it is, living in a GNU world.
I do feel sorry that I even considered trying steam. But fortunately I did not get to participate in the steam hardware survey. If it did I would be rather sour, as I have not participated ever since I started using steam native on linux.
Anyway: off with that crap. I can't believe windows can actually be functional to some people.
My conclusion: even with a disconnected system like the gpd win it managed to fuck up the steam settings on my steam machine (I lost every steam controller setting that I did not export).
To install gta IV I had to jump through more hoops than wine on linux.
To install gta SA I even had to jump through even more hoops.
Then this constant nagging of that I have to activate it, and when I try that it says I need to buy a license...
I forgot what an easy life it is, living in a GNU world.
I do feel sorry that I even considered trying steam. But fortunately I did not get to participate in the steam hardware survey. If it did I would be rather sour, as I have not participated ever since I started using steam native on linux.
Anyway: off with that crap. I can't believe windows can actually be functional to some people.
0 Likes
Linux Steam from the beginning when it was still in beta. It runs almost 24/7.
Since then I've got exactly one Survey.
Valves Surveys are just wrong.
Sry Google translated :P
Last edited by andy155 on 3 Oct 2017 at 9:29 am UTC
Since then I've got exactly one Survey.
Valves Surveys are just wrong.
Sry Google translated :P
Last edited by andy155 on 3 Oct 2017 at 9:29 am UTC
1 Likes, Who?
Kuduzkehpan 3 Oct 2017
İ get survey 2 times in my whole 5 years old steam usage. But also i got twice in windows in a month.
İ have windows 7 only on my pc atm. There arent any old good days left. Many windows games ruined it self win10 and dx12 are just bullshitting gaming industury. Old windows has security stability issues. They need to work on porting games to linux İf valve and corps alike want linux as a gamig platform. We have cryengine eu4 unity unigine 4A vulkan qt openal opengl sdl and much more everything to strike back and conquer desktop world. Valve and alike plz start porting games. Unite other porting companies in the name of linux love. This is what we need. Then all will fall apart and will make our rise shining much more. Lets prepare for the mighty holy battle unite revolutionaries of linux its time to bring battle to them.
Last edited by Kuduzkehpan on 3 Oct 2017 at 9:22 am UTC
İ have windows 7 only on my pc atm. There arent any old good days left. Many windows games ruined it self win10 and dx12 are just bullshitting gaming industury. Old windows has security stability issues. They need to work on porting games to linux İf valve and corps alike want linux as a gamig platform. We have cryengine eu4 unity unigine 4A vulkan qt openal opengl sdl and much more everything to strike back and conquer desktop world. Valve and alike plz start porting games. Unite other porting companies in the name of linux love. This is what we need. Then all will fall apart and will make our rise shining much more. Lets prepare for the mighty holy battle unite revolutionaries of linux its time to bring battle to them.
Last edited by Kuduzkehpan on 3 Oct 2017 at 9:22 am UTC
3 Likes, Who?
A Linux exclusive AAA game with super amazing graphics and gameplay is the only thing that can revert this trend...
You see.. Most PC gamers install an illegal windows distro just for to play (legally or illegally) the game of the moment..
If there is an Ultra AAA game and is Linux exclusive, they will come to Linux just for to play this game.
Not even that will revert this unless folks can buy some branded Steam Machine that is available in their area for a reasonable price. Maybe a very minor portion will dual-boot but the majority will simply not bother.
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I just decided to open Steam on my Linux work machine and lo and behold, I get a survey! Even though I run Steam almost all the time on my home machine, but I seldom get surveys.
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The number of people using GNU/Linux as their Desktop OS is increasing. This is what netmarketshare and StatCounter both clearly show.
Also there have been insane improvements to the the prerequisites to gaming on GNU/Linux: the graphics stacks have gotten way better and there are a lot of cross platform engines (like Unity for example).
The absolute amount of games we have on GNU/Linux already surpasses any console that I am aware of. It is not all AAA games but quite a few of them.
Gaming on GNU/Linux has never been more valid than it is today.
Also there have been insane improvements to the the prerequisites to gaming on GNU/Linux: the graphics stacks have gotten way better and there are a lot of cross platform engines (like Unity for example).
The absolute amount of games we have on GNU/Linux already surpasses any console that I am aware of. It is not all AAA games but quite a few of them.
Gaming on GNU/Linux has never been more valid than it is today.
6 Likes, Who?
I don't even have windows installed (And I don't want to install) so for me it's easy I just play games that are available on my platform. The hardware survey isn't accurate, I had it once in 2 years period.
0 Likes
Mountain Man 3 Oct 2017
[quote=Dunc]
Those of us who were already vested in Linux are thrilled with the improved game support we've seen over the past several years, but Valve has done an exceptionally poor job making the argument that anybody else should prefer Linux as a gaming platform.
... it's interesting that on the one hand we have the Netmarketshare story (even if it's not quite as earth-shattering as it first seemed), and on the other we have this. I think it just reflects the poor state of the Linux gaming market. Overall we're on the rise, but gaming is still difficult.I've mentioned it before, but the choice is basically, "Do I use Windows and have access to all the games, or use Linux and have access to only a small fraction of them?" For anybody who wants to play games on the PC, Linux simply doesn't look like a viable option compared to Windows.
Those of us who were already vested in Linux are thrilled with the improved game support we've seen over the past several years, but Valve has done an exceptionally poor job making the argument that anybody else should prefer Linux as a gaming platform.
3 Likes, Who?
elbuglione 3 Oct 2017
We need HL3 Exclusive for Linux... then, ONLY then, the market share will change.
1 Likes, Who?
Mountain Man 3 Oct 2017
A Linux exclusive AAA game with super amazing graphics and gameplay is the only thing that can revert this trend...They might come, but will they stay? That's the important question.
You see.. Most PC gamers install an illegal windows distro just for to play (legally or illegally) the game of the moment..
If there is an Ultra AAA game and is Linux exclusive, they will come to Linux just for to play this game.
1 Likes, Who?
A Linux exclusive AAA game with super amazing graphics and gameplay is the only thing that can revert this trend...No one ever will burn his cash to develop Linux exclusive AAA title.
You see.. Most PC gamers install an illegal windows distro just for to play (legally or illegally) the game of the moment..
If there is an Ultra AAA game and is Linux exclusive, they will come to Linux just for to play this game.
Do you ever imagine what's to spend nearly $50 mln to develop AAA game for 400k consumers on the market? Even if you sell $60 per copy each 2nd gamer in the market, you will gain $12 mln back.
No, it's nonsense. Nobody will burn a few dozens millions of US dollars. And Steam will never allow there Linux exclusive title in foreseeble future.
I admit, there are tiny chance, to develop a multiplatfor AAA title and make this title Linux exclusive for a limited time (alpha, beta test, 30..60 or even 365 days after release).
Like people were pushed to buy a console to play GTA V after release instead getting the game immediatly on Windows PC.
2 Likes, Who?
Head start of gaming titles on Linux (not on consoles, Mac or Windows) could do better job without burning cash to develop AAA games for small group of customers.A Linux exclusive AAA game with super amazing graphics and gameplay is the only thing that can revert this trend...They might come, but will they stay? That's the important question.
You see.. Most PC gamers install an illegal windows distro just for to play (legally or illegally) the game of the moment..
If there is an Ultra AAA game and is Linux exclusive, they will come to Linux just for to play this game.
0 Likes
appetrosyan 3 Oct 2017
Because there are less and less games for Linux.
Valve is not pushing SteomOS like it used to; maybe they abandoned SteamOS idea?
What it means is, game publishers have no incentive to make Linux ports anymore.
I suspect bribery.
I don't think Valve know what they want.
When they fist pitched the SteamOS idea, it wasn't quite clear why it was a competitive console. I mean, if it has a variety of PC hardware, it'll perform as well as a PC, but cost as much as a PC would, without any guarantee of a hassle free experience. It's not a superior console, but an Inferior Gaming rig.
Making matters worse, Wine is completely independent. The team has had more experience with running games, there's more of them, and the developers don't need to do Jack. Valve could have been in a far better place right now, if instead of porting source to Linux, they've said:
"Well, let's create a native client that runs wine for most programs and if a game is reported to run well, gives it a badge 'SteamOS compatible'."
That way, you have all the "Officially supported" games we have now from day one. Many new releases will be available right on, and with some tweaking, run as well as on Windows. And also since you know, that it's using a wrapper (currently almost everything uses SDL anyway), you won't be bombarding the poor devs with crap comments, you tweak the Wine settings to get the best you can. This is what we're good at - tinkering, and they completely ignore that.
And in all fairness, Carmack was right.
Linux is unsuitable for business. Maybe as a development environment, but not as a target. But if I were to push for games on Linux, I'd focus on such projects as Wine
0 Likes
And what about the linux game sales on GOG?
They aren't public, so there is no data to evaluate. Humble Bundle have public stats. Steam for the reference have no sales stats either. Their survey is not sales data.
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My experience, without checking any data, is that i have access to more and more good Linux games, every month is better than the previous.
So, when a data says Linux is going down in %, i wonder if i'm blind, or if the data translates its information into something else.
I do think China has its part, based on the so many chinese comments and request for translation i'm seeing poping everywhere (just like "Linux +1"), but only a part. Maybe it's only because the total amount is growing massively, and Linux is growing in raw number, but not in global %. Maybe the Steam Survey is biased (i almost never get surveyed,b ut i did last week).
According to developers i have contact with, they are all happy to support Linux, for politic reasons very often, and they at worst don't lose money, at best of course it's completely worthy.
So... i don't know, i am only a random Linux user, and i don't see myself going back to Windows again, never. Just to think about it, brrr... My computer's life is honestly easier since i'm not dual-booting anymore (it was with WinXP then Win7).
So, when a data says Linux is going down in %, i wonder if i'm blind, or if the data translates its information into something else.
I do think China has its part, based on the so many chinese comments and request for translation i'm seeing poping everywhere (just like "Linux +1"), but only a part. Maybe it's only because the total amount is growing massively, and Linux is growing in raw number, but not in global %. Maybe the Steam Survey is biased (i almost never get surveyed,b ut i did last week).
According to developers i have contact with, they are all happy to support Linux, for politic reasons very often, and they at worst don't lose money, at best of course it's completely worthy.
So... i don't know, i am only a random Linux user, and i don't see myself going back to Windows again, never. Just to think about it, brrr... My computer's life is honestly easier since i'm not dual-booting anymore (it was with WinXP then Win7).
1 Likes, Who?
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