Back in August 2018, Valve announced their new Steam Play feature with the Proton software in the Linux Steam client to play Windows-only Steam games on Linux. A little note about what platform is counted for sales.
When we spoke to Valve originally back then (shown in an update to our original article), we asked about how the sales would show up for developers and this was the response:
Hey Liam, the normal algorithm is in effect, so if at the end of the two weeks you have more playtime on Linux, it'll be a Linux sale. Proton counts as Linux.
It seems that there might be some issues where it's not correctly counted, so it shows up as a normal Windows sale as a user noted on Reddit. Since reaching out to Valve, developer Pierre-Loup Griffais has released this quick and simple statement on Twitter for all to read:
That doesn't seem like intended behavior, we'll look into it. At this early stage, the team's focus is still on compatibility and performance, so it might take a little bit.
As with anything new and in constant development there's going to be teething issues. Hopefully this hasn't been too widespread though if true.
Update 19/02/20: I've now had this verified by a developer whose game I purchased on Linux, then played entirely on Linux and I know a few others who did the same and the developer told me all show up as Windows sales.
Update #2: See a clear statement from Valve in this latest article.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
Quoting: EikeWell, Linux as a whole certainly isn't going anywhere and it seems at least Valve is committed to supporting the Steam store on Linux for many years to come. Even if they end up perhaps phasing out Proton one day, the work they've already helped push forwards has been invaluable to a lot of open source projects.Quoting: jensI admit, I could be wrong by a few years ;). Though I honestly think this is our best bet to break the current chicken and egg situation.
Unfortunately, I don't have a better one.
I just fear neither "No Tux, no bux" nor Proton worked out or will work out.
Quoting: Liam DaweWell, Linux as a whole certainly isn't going anywhere and it seems at least Valve is committed to supporting the Steam store on Linux for many years to come. Even if they end up perhaps phasing out Proton one day, the work they've already helped push forwards has been invaluable to a lot of open source projects.
Sure, I appreciate what they are doing!
Not working out was meant in the way jens was hoping for: Rising Linux Steam user numbers by a significant amount.
Quoting: EikeYeah I get that :)Quoting: Liam DaweWell, Linux as a whole certainly isn't going anywhere and it seems at least Valve is committed to supporting the Steam store on Linux for many years to come. Even if they end up perhaps phasing out Proton one day, the work they've already helped push forwards has been invaluable to a lot of open source projects.
Sure, I appreciate what they are doing!
Not working out was meant in the way jens was hoping for: Rising Linux Steam user numbers by a significant amount.
For the Linux share to rise, there needs to be a lot more happening outside of our own control and Valve's. Alone, they're just not enough to push it. We need more bigger hardware vendors to offer it, advertise it and so on.
Quoting: Liam DaweFor the Linux share to rise, there needs to be a lot more happening outside of our own control and Valve's. Alone, they're just not enough to push it. We need more bigger hardware vendors to offer it, advertise it and so on.As far as I can see, most Linux gamers today are people who were already using (or at least were familiar with) Linux. There are quite a few who use Linux for work or/and at home, but game on consoles, or don't really game at all. Most of the growth is form this pool.
Windows gamers is a much larger group, but also considerably harder to tap into.
Proton encourages Linux purchases +1
Proton enables gaming +5 (Tons games we will never see a port for)
And you read what Pierre said "At this early stage...". That makes me so pleased. There is a time and place for every points that have been made in Proton discussion. Right now Linux is gaining foothold, small as it may be.
Quoting: EikeQuoting: jensI admit, I could be wrong by a few years ;). Though I honestly think this is our best bet to break the current chicken and egg situation.
Unfortunately, I don't have a better one.
I just fear neither "No Tux, no bux" nor Proton worked out or will work out.
I have to admit that I'm not fully convinced either. I guess it would already be a miracle if Linux establishes the 2% again. That said I'm still consider it a miracle that I played GTA V from start to finish on Linux last year, so miracles do seem to happen occasionally ;)
Quoting: EikeTrouble is, it already is one year later and our percentage didn't budge.There are many reasons why:
1. Proton isn't complete
1.1 It lacks anti cheat support which hinders many popular games from working.
1.2 It still is undergoing development (VK3D), further optimization and bug fixes
2. Other platforms are also improving. Windows now has Xbox Game Pass and soon it will also have XCloud. That is a compelling proposition for gamers to stay on or use Windows.
3. Linux needs marketing, it has little to no marketing.
4. Other platforms are preinstalled on PC that people buy
It isn't now you should be judging Proton harshly. You should when anti cheat support has landed and VK3D progresses as much as DXVK has.
Last edited by Linuxwarper on 12 February 2020 at 11:55 pm UTC
Comandante Ñoñardo Feb 13, 2020
Quoting: Linuxwarper2. Other platforms are also improving. Windows now has Xbox Game Pass and soon it will also have XCloud. That is a compelling proposition for gamers to stay on or use Windows.
XGP is the main reason why I have a PC with Windows 10...
(A legit Windows by the way, not a pirated Windows like everyone else)
200AR$ plus taxes (about 3.5U$D) per month is a damn good gaming deal...
Valve should have a subscription system like this.
Quoting: LinuxwarperIt isn't now you should be judging Proton harshly.
I understand that it's the rescue for some (many) Linux gamers. I fear that it's hindering Linux native ports (while others think it's the possibility for Linux gaming to lift off to get more native ports on the long run). It's an astonishing piece of software for sure. So, mixed bag for me.
What I mainly wanted to say is that I don't feel it will succeed in lifting off Linux gaming, unfortunately.
Last edited by Eike on 13 February 2020 at 1:05 pm UTC
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