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In a move that might help boost Linux gaming numbers, it seems Google are still moving forward with their plan to get Steam running properly native on Chrome OS during 2021. This is something we've talked about before, and again and now it appears to be moving a bit quicker.

The new report comes from Chrome Unboxed, who noticed some interesting commits landing talking about project Borealis, which appears to be the code name for this huge project which includes running Steam. I should note though, that Borealis isn't just about Steam but appears to be some wider Linux push for Chrome OS to get more working on it. Last we heard, Borealis itself was based on Ubuntu too. From the new info uncovered, what's been found even mentions a "Soft Launch":

I'd bump these a bit; we'll want them in place for at least a few months into Soft Launch, which is currently slated for no earlier than Q2/Q3 2021. I set Borealis.Stability to 2021-10-01 for this reason.

With more Chromebooks coming out through 2021 that will feature more powerful processors both from Intel and AMD (not ARM), backed up by more powerful graphics - this will open them up to some more gaming.

The question is: why is that relevant to Linux and Linux gaming overall? Well, Chromebooks run Chrome OS which is…Linux under the Google branded hood. The version of Steam they will get is the Linux version, so they will be adding directly to the numbers of Linux users already on Steam. Don't underestimate what that could do.

Once we hear any more on it we will let you know.

Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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22 comments
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benjamimgois Jan 11, 2021
This is great indeed... with official chromeOS support Linux numbers might just got a significant bump.
Comandante Ñoñardo Jan 11, 2021
Hmmm...
The codename Project Borealis make me think in HL3...
Purple Library Guy Jan 11, 2021
The way they're doing things sounds silly to me, but that aside this does seem like it could be significantly good news . . . unless, as Nanobang says, they pull a fast one of some sort.
Xaero_Vincent Jan 11, 2021
Keep in mind that games running inside the Borealis VM on Chrome OS will likely be using Virgil 3D and as of now there is no Vulkan support.

Linux gaming without Vulkan (and DXVK) and a virtualized GPU for OpenGL and WineD3D on-top on integrated graphics doesn't sound great for gaming.

I have two Chromebooks but I cannot see myself wanting to game with these limitations. GeForce NOW and Stadia seem to be much better options for Chromebooks. I guess we'll see how this plays out.
sarmad Jan 11, 2021
Google: Let's re-invent the wheel and create our own unique OS.
*later on*
Google: Ops, we need more of the standard stuff working. Let's hack things together and make our own OS look more like a standard Linux.

Seriously, why?
pseudopod Jan 12, 2021
It would be cool if Google and Valve teamed up to challenge Microsoft's gaming hegemony. A good start would be for Google to allow Valve to distribute their Stadia native linux builds on Steam, as I'm sure using proton on relatively weak laptop hardware isn't going to be a great experience. I doubt Google is interested in being *that* cooperative, though.
3zekiel Jan 13, 2021
Quoting: Xaero_VincentKeep in mind that games running inside the Borealis VM on Chrome OS will likely be using Virgil 3D and as of now there is no Vulkan support.

Linux gaming without Vulkan (and DXVK) and a virtualized GPU for OpenGL and WineD3D on-top on integrated graphics doesn't sound great for gaming.

I have two Chromebooks but I cannot see myself wanting to game with these limitations. GeForce NOW and Stadia seem to be much better options for Chromebooks. I guess we'll see how this plays out.

As long as they use intel igpu (likely for such thin laptops) there is hw support (gvt-g) for gpu virtualisation. That's the kind of nice bits which continue making Intel a great choice in laptops. That and it seems igpu is better now even without virtualisation.
elmapul Jan 13, 2021
chromeOS taking ages to do that, meanwhile microsoft WSL come out of nowhere and its running fine...
i cant undertand that
sarmad Jan 13, 2021
Quoting: elmapulchromeOS taking ages to do that, meanwhile microsoft WSL come out of nowhere and its running fine...
i cant undertand that

Maybe because Microsoft has only one operating system to work on, while Google for some mysterious reason has three?
Mohandevir Jan 13, 2021
Quoting: sarmad
Quoting: elmapulchromeOS taking ages to do that, meanwhile microsoft WSL come out of nowhere and its running fine...
i cant undertand that

Maybe because Microsoft has only one operating system to work on, while Google for some mysterious reason has three?

Mmmm... 4?

Android
ChromeOS
Fuschia
Stadia (Debian based).

Edit: And this is just if we don't consider Android TV/Google TV which seems to be some kind of Android variant. Google seem scattered on the OS front.


Last edited by Mohandevir on 13 January 2021 at 8:05 pm UTC
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