SteamOS, the Valve-made Linux distribution that was originally for the failed Steam Machine initiative has gradually vanished into the sidelines but it seems it won't be forever.
A while ago, we did see indications that Valve would work on SteamOS 3.0 "Clockwerk" back in 2018 but they've still been very quiet on it since apart from a few minor package updates to SteamOS 2 "Brewmaster".
Valve have been extremely active on other fronts though of course. As a quick bit of history: for Linux they put out Steam Play Proton, the ACO shader compiler for AMD, this new Steam Linux Runtime container system, the micro-compositor Gamescope and there's more with people working on all sorts under contract for Valve to improve Linux.
Still, SteamOS though, what are Valve going to do with it? Sounds like when they go back to it eventually, it might not be Debian-based. In a GitHub issue on the SteamOS page about it "languishing", another user replied with an email from Valve developer Pierre-Loup A. Griffais:
Yes, definitely lots of work still going on. Right now the focus is on core technology itself rather than distributing it, but we intend to get back to that in the future. I wouldn't expect much more movement on Debian-based Brewmaster at this point, however.
"Debian-based Brewmaster"—huh? Speculation here, but that sounds like they might be looking at a different base for whatever SteamOS 3.0 turns into.
One day then, we can clearly expect to see some movement on SteamOS once Valve get all the pieces of the Linux gaming puzzle into a state where they're truly happy with properly pushing it again. Perhaps, this will be after we finally find out what the heck Steam Cloud Gaming(#1, #2) turns out to be? Whenever we find out, we will of course let you know.
Thanks for the tag, mdeguzis.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
Some you may have missed, popular articles from the last month:
The comments on this article are closed.
BrazilianGamer Mar 27, 2020
Quoting: slaapliedjeQuoting: BrazilianGamerThe crap thing about that is Ubuntu trying to move away from Debian packages, and instead to adopt their own Snap package management. I get that Ubuntu wants to try to make themselves special, but all that does is make them less stable, and less wanted. So many developers in the past have made excuses not to support Linux because of all the variations, but for years it has basically been Debian+RPM based systems. Any of the other distributions have people smart enough to convert packages from deb/rpm. But then Red Hat comes out with Flatpak, that everyone adopts... except Ubuntu, who decides to push snap...Quoting: WorMzyQuoting: BrazilianGamerDebian is the market standard.
What market are you talking about? Red Hat is the industry standard and has been for a long time. IBM didn't buy them for no good reason. :P
If you read my comment again, you'll see I was talking about applications. Not hegemony in servers. In servers there's no doubt Red hat wins in a landslide. But still, when companies or individuals think about creating any application, the first distro they know they have to support is Ubuntu or any other debian based distros in general. Simply because they are the most used therefore, popular and of course, there's a bigger chance of revenue if it is a paid software or just to have a bigger userbase.
Sorry, rant over. We will see how much the next few Ubuntu releases screw the pooch.
That's the good and bad of Linux. Fragmentation. It's always been that way and I don't see it changing in the short term. It's good for freedom of choice but not good for developers. That's why devs rather launch a game for Mac than for Linux. Maybe I'm a little biased here because I've always used Debian based distros, just Ubuntu actually. But, let's see how it plays out. May it is for the good of Linux gaming as a whole.
Last edited by BrazilianGamer on 27 March 2020 at 3:20 am UTC
0 Likes
Quoting: GuestQuoting: WorMzyQuoting: rustybroomhandleI think Arch-based would be the sensible option here. Arch-derived distros just seem way more stable and upgrade-fubar-proof than debian-derived ones.Really? Debian is the gold standard for stability. The problem is that people want a stable OS with a "bleeding edge" graphics stack, and that's where the house of cards falls over.
Arch can provide the bleeding edge, but it requires that YOU (the end user) know what you're doing.
There are 2 vastly different things when we talk about "stability":
1) Stability in terms of software not crashing/freezing/bugging.
2) Stability in terms of software libraries/APIs/frameworks/software in general remaining the same (= stable) in order for app/game developers to know what to target for and not need to care about fixing incompatibilities with future upstream versions.
Debian is stable in terms of (2), not always in terms of (1). But people often seem to confuse the 2 and use them interchangeably in forums and discussions.
Arch derived distros are definitely stable in terms of (1). Following upstream means getting fixes for bugs and problems sooner. Yes it does break stuff that should work with earlier versions and it does require by devs to not rest on their laurels and support/maintain their code, but it is better than freezing the whole software base for 2 years just to make sure lazy devs can write their code and work without them having to modify it in the future.
Still, i don't know how feasible it would be for Valve to rebase SteamOS on something like Arch. Arch does not shy away from breaking compatibility with older versions of packages, it blindly follows upstream (as it should, being a mainly desktop oriented distro). Still, this will require SteamOS devs to learn to adopt to upstream changes faster while developing their own things. I don't believe the additional burden should be too much, it is not like they are changing everything every month. It would requires SteamOS to do constant updates though, as Arch philosophy is "update soon, update often", and this would be tiring for more casual users, even if it was trouble free and polished by Valve people.
I think the best solution would be for Valve to take pacman (a really good package manager) from Arch and create their own distro from the ground up. Since SteamOS should be a gaming oriented OS, it does not need a full blown Linux distro with all those packages and bloat. They can keep it small and simple, and control the rate at which they update their software. It should not be too much work, making a distro is not really that hard especially if that distro is use case specific.
Well GamerOS the arch based steamOS distro proves its very easy to port the packages to an arch base. GamerOS so far has been rock stable and with tweaks enabling 4k resolution and more games working out of the box then with proton alone its alot better then the current SteamOS. And using an Arch base has enabled way better performance. He even built in tools to install some programs like kodi Mediacenter and spotify.
1 Likes, Who?
slaapliedje Mar 27, 2020
Quoting: BrazilianGamerQuoting: slaapliedjeQuoting: BrazilianGamerThe crap thing about that is Ubuntu trying to move away from Debian packages, and instead to adopt their own Snap package management. I get that Ubuntu wants to try to make themselves special, but all that does is make them less stable, and less wanted. So many developers in the past have made excuses not to support Linux because of all the variations, but for years it has basically been Debian+RPM based systems. Any of the other distributions have people smart enough to convert packages from deb/rpm. But then Red Hat comes out with Flatpak, that everyone adopts... except Ubuntu, who decides to push snap...Quoting: WorMzyQuoting: BrazilianGamerDebian is the market standard.
What market are you talking about? Red Hat is the industry standard and has been for a long time. IBM didn't buy them for no good reason. :P
If you read my comment again, you'll see I was talking about applications. Not hegemony in servers. In servers there's no doubt Red hat wins in a landslide. But still, when companies or individuals think about creating any application, the first distro they know they have to support is Ubuntu or any other debian based distros in general. Simply because they are the most used therefore, popular and of course, there's a bigger chance of revenue if it is a paid software or just to have a bigger userbase.
Sorry, rant over. We will see how much the next few Ubuntu releases screw the pooch.
That's the good and bad of Linux. Fragmentation. It's always been that way and I don't see it changing in the short term. It's good for freedom of choice but not good for developers. That's why devs rather launch a game for Mac than for Linux. Maybe I'm a little biased here because I've always used Debian based distros, just Ubuntu actually. But, let's see how it plays out. May it is for the good of Linux gaming as a whole.
Yeah, and Ubuntu is trying to fragment it even more...
Quoting: FredrikQuoting: GuestQuoting: WorMzyQuoting: rustybroomhandleI think Arch-based would be the sensible option here. Arch-derived distros just seem way more stable and upgrade-fubar-proof than debian-derived ones.Really? Debian is the gold standard for stability. The problem is that people want a stable OS with a "bleeding edge" graphics stack, and that's where the house of cards falls over.
Arch can provide the bleeding edge, but it requires that YOU (the end user) know what you're doing.
There are 2 vastly different things when we talk about "stability":
1) Stability in terms of software not crashing/freezing/bugging.
2) Stability in terms of software libraries/APIs/frameworks/software in general remaining the same (= stable) in order for app/game developers to know what to target for and not need to care about fixing incompatibilities with future upstream versions.
Debian is stable in terms of (2), not always in terms of (1). But people often seem to confuse the 2 and use them interchangeably in forums and discussions.
Arch derived distros are definitely stable in terms of (1). Following upstream means getting fixes for bugs and problems sooner. Yes it does break stuff that should work with earlier versions and it does require by devs to not rest on their laurels and support/maintain their code, but it is better than freezing the whole software base for 2 years just to make sure lazy devs can write their code and work without them having to modify it in the future.
Still, i don't know how feasible it would be for Valve to rebase SteamOS on something like Arch. Arch does not shy away from breaking compatibility with older versions of packages, it blindly follows upstream (as it should, being a mainly desktop oriented distro). Still, this will require SteamOS devs to learn to adopt to upstream changes faster while developing their own things. I don't believe the additional burden should be too much, it is not like they are changing everything every month. It would requires SteamOS to do constant updates though, as Arch philosophy is "update soon, update often", and this would be tiring for more casual users, even if it was trouble free and polished by Valve people.
I think the best solution would be for Valve to take pacman (a really good package manager) from Arch and create their own distro from the ground up. Since SteamOS should be a gaming oriented OS, it does not need a full blown Linux distro with all those packages and bloat. They can keep it small and simple, and control the rate at which they update their software. It should not be too much work, making a distro is not really that hard especially if that distro is use case specific.
Well GamerOS the arch based steamOS distro proves its very easy to port the packages to an arch base. GamerOS so far has been rock stable and with tweaks enabling 4k resolution and more games working out of the box then with proton alone its alot better then the current SteamOS. And using an Arch base has enabled way better performance. He even built in tools to install some programs like kodi Mediacenter and spotify.
Arch (and any rolling distribution) would be much more difficult from a support position though. It's the same reason why people don't use Arch in the enterprise, sure it'd be great to have all the new things, but we want stability over new features there. The same would be if you're a company that is going to be supporting a 'console' operating system. It's also why historically open source operating systems have been locked down before becoming production consoles. Guess we'll see if the Atari VCS actually comes out and is fully Linux based, and how open it is... most of the little videos they've released basically just show it running Windows...
0 Likes
Quoting: slaapliedjeArch (and any rolling distribution) would be much more difficult from a support position though. It's the same reason why people don't use Arch in the enterprise, sure it'd be great to have all the new things, but we want stability over new features there. The same would be if you're a company that is going to be supporting a 'console' operating system. It's also why historically open source operating systems have been locked down before becoming production consoles.
While GamerOS is technically based on Arch, it does not use pacman. GamerOS uses an independent image based atomic update system similar to ChromeOS or other embedded systems. We test each image before pushing it out and every install is bit-for-bit the same. The result is bleeding edge combined with stability. It is not a desktop distro, but essentially a locked-down OS purpose-built for couch gaming.
Yes, the underlying libraries included in the OS will change, but Steam games are supposed to use the Steam runtime. You can't keep things pinned down forever, SteamOS proves that. SteamOS is "stable" but has terrible game compatibility these days since new games come out and even old games get updated. Proton has lots of problems on SteamOS and recent versions of emulators can't even be compiled for it anymore. The argument for "stable" really doesn't hold up.
GamerOS includes a growing list of work arounds for any games that do end up having issues.
I am quite confident that GamerOS has the best out of the box game compatibility of any Linux distro by far and it will only get better.
3 Likes, Who?
Quoting: alkazarYou can't keep things pinned down forever, SteamOS proves that. SteamOS is "stable" but has terrible game compatibility these days since new games come out and even old games get updated. Proton has lots of problems on SteamOS and recent versions of emulators can't even be compiled for it anymore. The argument for "stable" really doesn't hold up.
Sure, just that SteamOS is not a "stable" distro by far, but rather a practically abandoned distro.
During the time that it used to be active and updated periodically, it used to be a good champion of stability and performance combined. And that was a good time to bring SteamOS in a discussion about stability vs bleeding edge or whatever.
But now? Kernel 4.19 + Mesa 18? That is not stable, that's ancient crap lying in a heap of garbage level of "stable" (of course, talking about gaming here).
Is a wonder that some Proton games (or newer cards) still work with that.
What I mean is, if we want to discuss the advantages/disadvantages of a stable distro, SteamoS is unfortunately no longer relevant. Is just a distro that we used to know (ahem).
2 Likes, Who?
PC Gamer just have (unfornatualy) more than one video game digital distribution service, they have others e.g. Ubisofts "UPlay" or EA "Origins". And thats the real issue to solve and develope "Gaming on Linux".
If Ubisoft or EA or other Big Player will developing "Games for Linux", then we don´t have to answer the question "Which is better for Gaming: Arch or Ubuntu or Debian?".
If Ubisoft or EA or other Big Player will developing "Games for Linux", then we don´t have to answer the question "Which is better for Gaming: Arch or Ubuntu or Debian?".
0 Likes
Mohandevir Mar 29, 2020
Quoting: alkazarSteamOS is "stable" but has terrible game compatibility these days since new games come out and even old games get updated. Proton has lots of problems on SteamOS and recent versions of emulators can't even be compiled for it anymore.
Quoting: dubigrasuSteamoS is unfortunately no longer relevant. Is just a distro that we used to know (ahem).
Makes me wonder why Valve didn't yet decide to call it a day, like they did with the Steam Machines, and pull the plug on the SteamOS Brewmaster page (or at least remove the download links) and wait for "Clockwerk" (whatever that will mean) to make a comeback.
In the meantime, GamerOS is doing an awesome job!
Last edited by Mohandevir on 29 March 2020 at 8:24 pm UTC
1 Likes, Who?
slaapliedje Mar 31, 2020
Quoting: MohandevirTheir priorities switched to getting the Index out. I mean Debian is already well on their way into getting version 11 out, and SteamOS is sitting at 9 if I recall. 10+backports gives you a really great and stable operating system, with newer packages. It is the fiest version of Debian that I actually have just stuck with stable and not gone with Testing or unstable. Though on my personal desktop I am still an update whore and like seeing 50 new updates a day, haha.Quoting: alkazarSteamOS is "stable" but has terrible game compatibility these days since new games come out and even old games get updated. Proton has lots of problems on SteamOS and recent versions of emulators can't even be compiled for it anymore.
Quoting: dubigrasuSteamoS is unfortunately no longer relevant. Is just a distro that we used to know (ahem).
Makes me wonder why Valve didn't yet decide to call it a day, like they did with the Steam Machines, and pull the plug on the SteamOS Brewmaster page (or at least remove the download links) and wait for "Clockwerk" (whatever that will mean) to make a comeback.
In the meantime, GamerOS is doing an awesome job!
2 Likes, Who?
Mohandevir Mar 31, 2020
Quoting: slaapliedjeTheir priorities switched to getting the Index out. I mean Debian is already well on their way into getting version 11 out, and SteamOS is sitting at 9 if I recall. 10+backports gives you a really great and stable operating system, with newer packages.
No doubt, but it seems quite clear that whatever SteamOS 3.0 will be, it won't be pure Debian based. To some extent, they could even decide to include all the critical SteamOS' components (Gamescope they now call it?) into the Steam client and let the user decide if and on which distro he wants to install them. All of that with a tick box.
0 Likes
slaapliedje Mar 31, 2020
Quoting: MohandevirIt isn't clear at all, and why shift everything around and try and base it off something else?Quoting: slaapliedjeTheir priorities switched to getting the Index out. I mean Debian is already well on their way into getting version 11 out, and SteamOS is sitting at 9 if I recall. 10+backports gives you a really great and stable operating system, with newer packages.
No doubt, but it seems quite clear that whatever SteamOS 3.0 will be, it won't be pure Debian based. To some extent, they could even decide to include all the critical SteamOS' components (Gamescope they now call it?) into the Steam client and let the user decide if and on which distro he wants to install them. All of that with a tick box.
Don't they already let the user decide what distro and people just install that distro's steam package?
I mean I don't run SteamOS because I have no need for it. I run Steam off my desktop and have Steam Links, or even now. Raspberry Pi4 for playing on my big screen. Problem is so many games in my library don't play correctly with a controller, so I end up spending most big tv time playing on the PS4.
0 Likes
Mohandevir Mar 31, 2020
Quoting: slaapliedje... why shift everything around and try and base it off something else?
You should ask that to PL Griffais or TTimo, but that's what their comments are pointing at:
QuoteI wouldn't expect much more movement on Debian-based Brewmaster at this point
Why specify "Debian-based" if it's not relevant and is not an important aspect?
This and a comment from PL Griffais on Twitter, during the Ubuntu 32bit debacle, which I can't find anymore, about the future of Steamos... Something along the lines: "We are looking for our options, but we are tired of working with Debian tooling."
Quoting: slaapliedjeProblem is so many games in my library don't play correctly with a controller, so I end up spending most big tv time playing on the PS4.
I must be getting old... Sitting in front of my desk to play games is something I don't like anymore... I long for my couch. From the day I put my hands on my Steam Controller, K+M and gaming in chairs have lost all appeal to me; when a game requires K+M, I just don't play it, more often than not. This and the fact that I have a lot of tearing issues with my Nvidia GPUs that makes me switch to the SteamOS-Compositor (SteamOS' BPM DE) where I get an awesome experience with or without VSync (no full composition pipeline that causes micro stuttering required). But I still prefer Steam to any console because it's not hardware locked.
Have fun however you wish to play, no matter the Linux distro that you wish to use. :)
Last edited by Mohandevir on 31 March 2020 at 8:31 pm UTC
0 Likes
slaapliedje Mar 31, 2020
Quoting: MohandevirI remember the Debian tooling comment, but if I recall it was by one guy, and someone else had followed up with them not liking how the packaging tooling was, but that it was fixed/better in newer versions.Quoting: slaapliedje... why shift everything around and try and base it off something else?
You should ask that to PL Griffais or TTimo, but that's what their comments are pointing at:
QuoteI wouldn't expect much more movement on Debian-based Brewmaster at this point
Why specify "Debian-based" if it's not relevant and is not an important aspect?
This and a comment from PL Griffais on Twitter, during the Ubuntu 32bit debacle, which I can't find anymore, about the future of Steamos... Something along the lines: "We are looking for our options, but we are tired of working with Debian tooling."
Quoting: slaapliedjeProblem is so many games in my library don't play correctly with a controller, so I end up spending most big tv time playing on the PS4.
I must be getting old... Sitting in front of my desk to play games is something I don't like anymore... I long for my couch. From the day I put my hands on my Steam Controller, K+M and gaming in chairs have lost all appeal to me; when a game requires K+M, I just don't play it, more often than not. This and the fact that I have a lot of tearing issues with my Nvidia GPUs that makes me switch to the SteamOS-Compositor (SteamOS' BPM DE) where I get an awesome experience with or without VSync (no full composition pipeline that causes micro stuttering required). But I still prefer Steam to any console because it's not hardware locked.
Have fun however you wish to play, no matter the Linux distro that you wish to use. :)
SteamOS already went through a transition of maybe being Ubuntu based, but went with Debian for licensing reasons, or at some point that is what we were told. Makes sense to me, Debian is a great all around base for things and is easy enough to swap out the parts you need newer versions of.
It is too bad the Steam Controller doesn't get more support from developers than it does. I love mine so much, I bought 3 of them.
0 Likes
Patreon
PayPal
See more from me