[Update: We have new information see here.]
In a move that's not exactly surprising, Valve has quietly removed the Steam Machine section from Steam.
Previously on Steam, if you hovered over the Hardware category there was a Steam Machines link in the drop-down, which is now gone while the links to the Steam Controller, Steam Link and Vive remain. In fact, the entire Hardware page on Steam is now gone and anyone using the link (http://store.steampowered.com/hardware/) is redirected to a basic search page. Looking back on it and doing a bit of quick research, it seems the change came this month.
I'm not surprised they did this, since currently no one is announcing new machines and the whole Steam Machine idea from Valve never really gained any steam. While it didn't really do the big splash many were hoping, it has done quite a lot of good for Linux gaming overall. As a result of the initial push from Valve, many developers and game engines have moved into doing regular Linux support. This is important, because many of the barriers involved in getting games on Linux have been removed.
We know for a fact that porting companies like Aspyr Media (original interview) and Feral Interactive (original interview) started doing Linux versions thanks to SteamOS and Steam Machines, with them both still continuing the effort. It's also likely what pushed GOG to support Linux on their store too, since they didn't want to miss out on the possibility of more Linux gamers to buy games.
Realistically and looking back on it all, the time just wasn't right. There were long delays, not enough "big" games to make people truly interested in the platform (especially when the likes of The Witcher 3 was confirmed and then never happened—still hurts) and various other reasons.
We now have over four thousand Linux games on Steam, with more releasing every day. Of course, that's just a number and there's a fair amount of rubbish, but that's only natural to see. The good news, is that we get a lot of decent games arrive on Linux too and there's no signs of it slowing down.
It will be interesting to see if Valve do another SteamOS/Steam Machine push, with SteamOS still seeing updates this year it's entirely possible. Either way, Valve has done a lot of good and continues to do so. They're not a perfect company, not all their ideas work out and that's fine.
Linux gaming still faces an uphill battle—a large one at that. Thankfully, no one company "owns" Linux and so it can essentially go on forever, keep improving and gradually get better over a long time. We will still be here no matter what, we love Linux and we have so many good games already we don't know what to play half the time.
Thanks for the tip, kreativt. Article text was updated to be clearer after publishing.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
Nevertheless Mar 30, 2018
Quoting: etonbearsQuoting: NeverthelessLinux wasn't ready at the time Valve announced Steam Machines and SteamOS. It stll isn't quite ready. AMD drivers need time, VR needs time, Vulkan still needs time.
I don't know why Valve came out with it prematurely, but I guess something had to be done at that time, to push Linux development and to slow down Microsoft closing down Windows. Microsoft is doing so now. They are clearly pushing UWP and Windows S-Mode and show the tendency to want to abandon Win32, which Steam needs to exist on Windows. According to his latest statements, at least G. Newell seems to see it that way. So in my opinion abandoning Linux would be an idiotic thing to do by Valve, and the only question is how they plan to push it, and when they think the time is right!
The main driver for Valve has always been the potential for a future Windows to only allow Microsoft signed applications to run, and for Midcosoft to only sign applications that are sold through, and conform to the policies of, the windows store ( copying the Apple iOS model ).
Almost all of the WIN32 API remains in Windows 10, and will continue to exist. WIN32 and COM are the key, lowest level, building blocks for all of Microsoft's other APIs, including UWP. The real issue isn't technical ( Valve could easily produce a UWP Steam Client ), but a matter of commercial control, as they would not get a signed UWP version of the Steam Client without agreeing to give Microsoft a percentage of any revenue gained through it.
As soon as MS restrict Windows 10+ to running only signed applications from the Windows store, Steam for Windows is toast, probably along with GOG, Humble and anyone else that acts as a store-front for Windows applications.
Right! At first it will be "just" S-Mode. Meaning you have to deactivate it to be able to play your Steam, GOG, homebrew games. Windows gamers with game libraries at Steam / GOG / elsewhere will do that. New users will not so easily, because they will be told it's unsafe. That way Microsoft won't have to force people away from Steam. They just cut new user supply to Steam and others.
That's what S-Mode is designed for in my opinion. If Microsoft had only safety in Mind they could have designed a sandbox mode for Win32.
- Streamer (legally or not)? Kodi box is cheaper.
- PC gamers? Most of them build their own rig; more powerful and more value for money.
- Console gamers? Exclusive (or timed exclusive) is a key here. I'm remember GoL readers totally disagree with me when I suggest CDPR should sell their game on GOG exclusively.
- "PC as truck" (like late Steve Jobs comment about post-pc era.)? There are more old-school advanced "truck" called laptop.
- People who want try Linux?
- Steam Machine as "benchmark standard device" (like iPhone, one spec hardware) for developers? It requires locking- down/out the device. The problem is Linux is GPL-open. (And that's why Google currently experimenting Fuchsia)
Nevertheless Mar 30, 2018
Quoting: tonRI'm not surprise that Steam Machine may discontinued. Here is very simple question, who is the Valve's target customers for Steam Machine?
- Streamer (legally or not)? Kodi box is cheaper.
- PC gamers? Most of them build their own rig; more powerful and more value for money.
- Console gamers? Exclusive (or timed exclusive) is a key here. I'm remember GoL readers totally disagree with me when I suggest CDPR should sell their game on GOG exclusively.
- "PC as truck" (like late Steve Jobs comment about post-pc era.)? There are more old-school advanced "truck" called laptop.
- People who want try Linux?
- Steam Machine as "benchmark standard device" (like iPhone, one spec hardware) for developers? It requires locking- down/out the device. The problem is Linux is GPL-open. (And that's why Google currently experimenting Fuchsia)
I don't think it ever was a device species at all. I don't know what Valve thought of it when they released it, but for me it was a Linux PC with a controller for the living room. That concept is not dead, nor are the Steam Machines sold. Nothing has failed here, because nothing gets abandoned. Owners of a Steam Machine still have got a Linux PC for the living room and 4000+ games to play.
Quoting: NeverthelessI don't think it ever was a device species at all. I don't know what Valve thought of it when they released it, but for me it was a Linux PC with a controller for the living room. That concept is not dead, nor are the Steam Machines sold. Nothing has failed here, because nothing gets abandoned. Owners of a Steam Machine still have got a Linux PC for the living room and 4000+ games to play.That's my question. What was/is in Valve's people mind when they launched Steam Machine? To promoted Linux? For fun?
I never said failed. Yes, Valve is still making money, Steam Machine or not, but every businesses in this world wanted to maximizing profit to even every single cent. So I'm very curious about the reason of Steam Machine existance.
Nevertheless Mar 31, 2018
Quoting: tonRQuoting: NeverthelessI don't think it ever was a device species at all. I don't know what Valve thought of it when they released it, but for me it was a Linux PC with a controller for the living room. That concept is not dead, nor are the Steam Machines sold. Nothing has failed here, because nothing gets abandoned. Owners of a Steam Machine still have got a Linux PC for the living room and 4000+ games to play.That's my question. What was/is in Valve's people mind when they launched Steam Machine? To promoted Linux? For fun?
I never said failed. Yes, Valve is still making money, Steam Machine or not, but every businesses in this world wanted to maximizing profit to even every single cent. So I'm very curious about the reason of Steam Machine existance.
No you didn't say that! I was not suggesting you did! And you're right, it's an interesting question. Maybe it was tactics, maybe it was bringing an idea to life, one that wouldn't be harmed even if its (this) implementation was not successful. I don't know..
Quoting: KimyrielleOn the positive end: While a few years ago it seemed that the PC vs consoles war would eventually be won by consoles, this is no longer the case.
actually that is bad for us, in the past, valve could disguise an pc as an console to put linux in the market.
now the gamers will play on "pc" only and by pc, they mean windows
Quoting: KnucksThe idea never took off because the steam machine prices was ridiculous for a decent machine. When the established consoles was cheaper than the steam machines, it was doomed to fail. Still hoping Valve are secretly making there own machine using all AMD components.Not the only reason, by far. There was a lack of polish and features (multimedia stuff etc) compared to other consoles. There was not nearly enough marketing push. With the state of drivers and dependence on OpenGL, games tended to be slower.
The price, polish & features, and marketing are under Valve's control if it makes its own. The graphics issues are improving at good speed but are still the big question mark frankly--and it's not just graphics drivers and Vulkan. What's the situation with Wayland?
nope, that was what the media thought during the tablet era, then people realized that tablets werent as usefull as they thought, so the tablet market is almost dead now, and pcs are growing again.
" PC and console sales are stagnating, "
consoles are, pc get replaced less often because the software arent using all the hardware capabilities as in the past.
" As soon as MS restrict Windows 10+ to running only signed applications"
why would they do that?
security? no one care about that otherwise they would use linux.
the ones who care use anti virus and think they are safe.
to make more profit?
they dont need to shoot then selfes in the foot, even if they are dumb enough to try that, their stake holders arent that dumb.
MS will not shoot then selfes in the foot, if that is our only hope, we should just give up, not gonna happen.
" *Local gaming DRMFREE.
You buy it once, You own it forever.. or until the media used as storage of the install files is lost or is broken."
lol what? gog already distribute games with local gaming drm free.
you can do as many downloads of it as you need, and as many backup copies as well, since it is... DRM FREE.
when you move to a new hardware you just need to grab your copies with you.
"Windows 10 S(tupid) mode is testing the waters for a lock-out; "
nope it was an atempt to compete with the price of chromebooks.
"New users will not so easily, because they will be told it's unsafe."
new users are told how to use their computer by old users, so they arent so stupid.
people pirated a lot of things in the past, they didnt thought "it is unsafe and illegal, i shouldnt do that" they thought "my friends did the same and nothing bad has happened so far".
people will not fall by that MS bait unless they live in an cave.
" Owners of a Steam Machine still have got a Linux PC for the living room and 4000+ games to play. "
except that if you go to steam foruns you will see that many of then instaled windows on it
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