Getting a console-like big-screen experience with Linux gaming was a thing with SteamOS until Valve stopped updating it, then came along GamerOS to carry the torch which has evolved again with a new name of ChimeraOS.
ChimeraOS has the same idea just a fancy rebranding, to remove the terrible GamerOS naming. Nice. It also now has an actual website that's a bit more fancy.
For those not aware of what it actually does: it gives you an experience that boots directly into Steam Big Picture, powered by Linux, for an improved couch-gaming setup. However, it's a lot more than that. It has a built-in web app to manage installing non-Steam games known as "Steam Buddy", enabling you to run games from GOG, emulators and many more services.
Here's all the main changes for what's now ChimeraOS 25:
Key components:
- Linux Kernel 5.12.12
- Mesa 21.1.3
- NVIDIA 465.31
- steamos-compositor-plus 1.8.3
- Steam Buddy 0.11.2
Changelog:
- Rename to ChimeraOS
- Updated installer with wifi support
- Added basic MangoHud configuration support via Steam Buddy
- Added racing wheel support
- Fixed bluetooth pairing through the Steam UI
- Fixed high CPU usage when MS Xbox controller dongle is plugged in
- Added Mr. Rescue, Sonic 3: Angel Island Revisited, Cave Story NX to Flathub
- Added Proton 6.8 GE-2, 6.9 GE-2, 6.10 GE-1
- Added media key support
- Improvements to updater reliability
- Improved reliability when starting flatpak/flathub apps
- Restore default steam play settings for a game when user override is removed
- Merged Steam Tweaks into Steam Buddy
You can download it from the official website.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
Quote[...]a fancy rebranding, to remove the terrible GamerOS naming.
Couldn't agree more, the previous name was absolute cringe.
I understand GamerOS is not perfect, but the new one doesn't make any sense at all.
But at least it was one of the only distros that told you what you were getting with the name - a fairly unique attribute.
Now it's kinda like every other distro.
Something was lost here, but not much gained in its place. Chimera? What does that have to do with gaming or ease of use/setup? It's honestly an even worse name...
Of course, "Gamers bad! Hurrr!"-people will love the change. Whatever.
Last edited by TheSHEEEP on 2 July 2021 at 10:29 am UTC
Quoting: DerpFoxI understand GamerOS is not perfect, but the new one doesn't make any sense at all.
Well, "Gamer" sounds kind of similar to "Chimer(a)" without people immediately noticing it.
Quoting: EhvisChimer? Weren't those the ancient dark elves from Elder Scrolls lore? What do they know about gaming? ;)Quoting: DerpFoxI understand GamerOS is not perfect, but the new one doesn't make any sense at all.
Well, "Gamer" sounds kind of similar to "Chimer(a)" without people immediately noticing it.
QuoteThe term "chimera" has come to describe any mythical or fictional creature with parts taken from various animals, to describe anything composed of very disparate parts, or perceived as wildly imaginative, implausible, or dazzling.
I don't see why the name should be obviously related to gaming, I mean what "Proton" for example has actually to do with gaming? Is just a name, as good as any.
The devs kept a "branding" channel on Discord for a couple of years, where people came up with various suggestions and this is the result.
For the record, I was OK with the name GamerOS, but the vast majority of reactions towards it was negative, so I think the name change is beneficial.
"ChimeraOS" might puzzle some, but is less likely to trigger such strong negative reactions overall as "GamerOS" did.
Last edited by dubigrasu on 2 July 2021 at 5:27 pm UTC
Ludological Jul 2, 2021
slaapliedje Jul 2, 2021
Quoting: dubigrasuChimeraOS" might puzzle some, but is less likely to trigger such strong negative reactions overall as "GamerOS" did.
Probably less limiting for the developers, too, as adding a non gaming feature would seem much less taboo.
There are real Chimeras. Not fantastical at all. It's just... They're plants. There might be others but that's all I can remember from school 20 years ago.
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