Support us on Patreon
PayPalThat's it, I'm done, finished. It's "mission complete" now is it not? 2022 is officially the Year of Linux Gaming. Yup, that's something I am now proclaiming and I'm also putting a flag down into February 25 (the Steam Deck release date) as Linux Gaming Day every year.
While the long-running joke of "Year of the Linux Desktop" might take forever to actually be a thing, Linux Gaming is now a lot more mainstream. Thanks largely to Valve of course bringing over Steam to Linux, and eventually producing the Steam Deck — putting the power of Linux and open source literally into peoples' hands.
Of course that's not to say it's all Valve. There's a massively long list of open source contributors who have helped to make this happen. From drivers to desktop environment upgrades there's so many different people, companies and organisations to thank. We wouldn't see the Steam Deck without open source and without the Vulkan API. I've said for years that we needed "hardware, hardware, hardware" with more vendors to properly jump in. It's not enough to have good marketing, or a good desktop, people needed a reason to use it to actually sway them over and clearly the Steam Deck is doing wonders.
If you follow the Steam Deck Reddit, you'll see a lot of people trying out (and actually enjoying) the KDE Plasma desktop mode on the Steam Deck too. Plenty of the fixes coming into KDE Plasma are as a result of people trying it out too, and finding issues, which then benefits all users. You only have to look at the regular This Week in KDE blog posts from developer Nate Graham to see how much effort goes into it.
The community building up around it is quite fantastic too, we've already seen a Plugin Loader come along which will be fun to see progress. We've seen multiple emulation tools appear like EmuDeck and RetroDECK, masses of developers moving to improve their games to add in gamepad support and better text sizing and the list goes on.
There's been times recently it felt like I woke up in a different world, when sites like PC Gamer told people to stick with SteamOS and not Windows and even LinusTT thought SteamOS did better overall. Never did I ever expect things like that to happen. Heck, even Jeff Grubb from Venture Beat said this in a recent Twitter post:
Steam Deck makes me want to puke from thinking about how stifled everything is by walled gardens. The community has already made Steam Deck so much better, and it all works together because it's open source. A better world isn't just possible; it exists.
Steam Deck, Linux and open source are finally starting to get through the cracks — it's incredible. After writing about it for so long, this really does feel like the "what a time to be alive" clip that came from The Simpsons and is now a fun meme for this sort of thing.
Heck, you even have Microsoft of all companies jumping in to repeatedly talk about their games on this Linux handheld, and even doing a guide to get Xbox Cloud Gaming to work. It might not be Game Pass on Steam (yet?), but who had any of that on their bingo card? I sure didn't.
More companies are even now looking to go with Linux like OneXPlayer because it's showing its worth, something sadly GPD don't see.
Even Epic Games are doing a little like making sure Easy Anti-Cheat can work easily on Linux, and getting Unreal Engine into a better state for Linux with Unreal Engine 5.
Obviously, this is heavily focused on the Steam Deck, but you need to remember that apart from the Steam Client, practically all of SteamOS is open source software and all improvements go on to benefit Linux Gaming everywhere. I think we're finally starting to hit that turning point for Linux Gaming as a whole thanks to this. Absolutely tons of people are now learning more about it, enjoying it and sticking with it — exactly what we want to see.
Now if you'll excuse me I'm off to go sit on my sofa and load up a AAA game on a Linux handheld.
While you're here go follow me on YouTube and Twitch.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
Some you may have missed, popular articles from the last month:
The comments on this article are closed.
All posts need to follow our rules. For users logged in: please hit the Report Flag icon on any post that breaks the rules or contains illegal / harmful content. Guest readers can email us for any issues.
ElectricPrism Apr 15, 2022
Congratulations and many thanks to everyone who has been a part of this community over the years to get to this point. Also, thanks to Vovo, Gaben, Wine, DXVK people, and countless others.
We did it! Be Excellent to Eachother, and Party on Dudes!
Bonus Meme: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J19kvVIn_Fo
Last edited by ElectricPrism on 15 April 2022 at 11:48 pm UTC
We did it! Be Excellent to Eachother, and Party on Dudes!
Bonus Meme: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J19kvVIn_Fo
Last edited by ElectricPrism on 15 April 2022 at 11:48 pm UTC
3 Likes, Who?
Valve is definitely in the Extend phase of EEE for Linux and wine, and I can see at some point they may consider making the jump to Extinguish (pairing steam off of Linux into it's own thing), but I don't see that as likely or feasible.
1). They lack the resources. Valve is 100% dependant on the free labor of the open source communities. While they've done great work, most of the heavy lifting was done long ago by others.
2). Linux being open source, it simply can't be tossed out, the way Microsoft or Apple can get rid of stuff since it's all in house.
You forgot the most important point, which is that Valve's business model depends on selling games through Steam, not selling the hardware. So, it's in their best interest that the games that work on Steam Deck also works on regular Linux as that simply means more market for them. This is why Valve is trying to support as much platforms as possible just as we recently saw with ChromeOS.
4 Likes, Who?
StalePopcorn Apr 16, 2022
I've been on the fence for awhile…and am glad I hopped to the Linux side last year (also, "F Apple!"). In a sad side note; I'm playing so many games now that my health is suffering! 
1 Likes, Who?
You forgot the most important point, which is that Valve's business model depends on selling games through Steam, not selling the hardware. So, it's in their best interest that the games that work on Steam Deck also works on regular Linux as that simply means more market for them. This is why Valve is trying to support as much platforms as possible just as we recently saw with ChromeOS.Not just "more market," but survival. They can't make hardware for every single Steam customer, but they need the means to continue to sell to all those customers when using not-Windows in case Microsoft ever goes nuclear. That's what Linux means to them, and it needs to all be available on the computers their customers already have because Valve can't replace all those computers on their own.
4 Likes, Who?
I think it's a bit premature to call 2022 the year of Linux gaming. For me, the year of Linux gaming is when gaming on Linux is at the very least if you have the know-how equal or better experience than you get on windows for any game. While most games especially single-player games do run on Linux not all of them provide an equal or better experience. Whether it's ray-tracing doesn't work optimally or there is STILL no HDR support on Linux, much less something like Auto HDR, which can look wonderful in certain cases. I would say we are about 85% of the way there but we're still not there. There's a saying in software development that the last 20% takes 80% of the effort and it is the hardest and is what takes the longest amount of time, so no I don't think the year of Linux gaming is here and is still a few years off.
Last edited by zany130 on 16 April 2022 at 1:21 am UTC
Last edited by zany130 on 16 April 2022 at 1:21 am UTC
3 Likes, Who?
TheRiddick Apr 16, 2022
I don't know. I think once we get key critical features in on Wayland and the most actively developed DE move to Wayland, then we can't really call it just yet.
Features like Gamma+Brightness Controls (that aren't a sway exclusive wlroot hack-job and isn't NIGHT MODE); HDR and possibly AutoHDR, better VRR and Multiple display support.
The features I mentioned above have been standard in Windows10/11 for sometime now with exception of AutoHDR which is something new to Win11 only maybe? When I boot into Win10 my display says HDR enabled but not sure if that is AHDR...
PS. I don't use Win10; just have it for testing compatibility stuff, should move it to a external USB sometime...
NOTE: I'd like to mention the SteamDeck is still a exclusive product to only a few countries and MOST the world still can't get them. PLUS it has supply chain issues...
Last edited by TheRiddick on 16 April 2022 at 1:59 am UTC
Features like Gamma+Brightness Controls (that aren't a sway exclusive wlroot hack-job and isn't NIGHT MODE); HDR and possibly AutoHDR, better VRR and Multiple display support.
The features I mentioned above have been standard in Windows10/11 for sometime now with exception of AutoHDR which is something new to Win11 only maybe? When I boot into Win10 my display says HDR enabled but not sure if that is AHDR...
PS. I don't use Win10; just have it for testing compatibility stuff, should move it to a external USB sometime...
NOTE: I'd like to mention the SteamDeck is still a exclusive product to only a few countries and MOST the world still can't get them. PLUS it has supply chain issues...
Last edited by TheRiddick on 16 April 2022 at 1:59 am UTC
3 Likes, Who?
While I can totally get behind the sentiment, I think we must be cautious about all this praise about the Deck. The work Valve is doing for the Linux gaming ecosystem is undeniable, but they're acting as a for-profit corporation, and I'm afraid sooner or later their interests might start to deviate from this community. What happens then?
If the year of Linux Gaming is the year we made the biggest step towards having all Linux gaming happening in a proprietary walled garden, I can't help but see that with a bit of healthy skepticism.
By all means let's celebrate the release of the Steam Deck! But it's also important for this community to start thinking about ways to game on Linux without relying on Valve's software and/or hardware. We need ways to use the Steam Deck without steam, or we are at risk of Valve having too much power over Linux gaming. We don't want users to think (quite ironically) that Windows is more "open" in this regard. At the very least, every deck user should start asking *why* the device's controller becomes useless unless steam is open. Adding all sorts of software as "non-steam games" is hardly a workaround.
Thank you thinking 2 steps ahead. Please keep up the good work.
Valve didn't upstream the controller drivers to the kernel? I'm disappointed to hear that.
0 Likes
2). Linux being open source, it simply can't be tossed out, the way Microsoft or Apple can get rid of stuff since it's all in house.
i disagree, android has proven that its possible.
but i dont think valve has the resource to pull an android aproach, nor that they will even try.
0 Likes
I *think* it is the case that the main reason why developers choose not to provide it as an option even if they are using Unreal or unity and for them it basically boils down to a compile option is that these developers still care way more about old windows machines using graphics cards that can't support vulkan than they do about linux.
probably it take a lot of time to compile, and "double" the executables size.
0 Likes
While I don't think it matters very much anymore whether a game is linux native or windows native (a huge accomplishment to be sure), it still matters whether a game uses DX or Vulkan, and Vulkan adoption has been worryingly slow.
I fear that second bit is directly related to the first, which is one reason I am against the 'who cares if native' camp. As long as devs keep getting told it doesn't matter or that we don't want or need native versions, they're not likely to spend the time and money to switch their tools and environments to use Vulkan or other APIs that would make both native or Proton compatibility better; unfortunately even Valve seems to be selling Proton as 'just continue with DirectX and MS APIs'.
i think we can incentive developers by buying Dlcs for their games if they are native, or buying at full price instead of waiting for sales
2 Likes, Who?
Valve didn't upstream the controller drivers to the kernel? I'm disappointed to hear that.They've upstreamed the Steam Deck drivers but 5.18 isn't out yet.
3 Likes, Who?
But from another perspective aside from Valve's, say you're watching market share and hoping for Linux to overtake windows?
here is my prediction (i said it before already, and gonna repeat)
windows marketshare on desktop will not move an inch, but steam deck will sell a lot.
it will be just like android, didnt affected windows marketshare, despite the fact that there are more androids than windows nowadays.
nowadays we have iOS as the more closed ecosystem, and android as the more open-one (you can side load apps, install from other stores, anyone can develop, and the base system is open source)
the same will happen for the console market, we will have machines running SteamOS in the open consoles, and companies like sony, nintendo and microsoft doing their own closed walled garden, maybe microsoft, sony or even nintendo wil try to compete in the open market, who knows? it wont be the first time sony and nintendo relase an linux system (ps classic, nes and snes mini) hell even sega made one (game gear micro), if microsoft decide to enter this market with windows, and nintendo face another generation like n64, gamecube and wiiU where they strugled to sell consoles, first party games (due to lack of install base) and lack thirdy party support, maybe they will try their luck with steamOS or "nintendoOS".
sony already gave us the "otherOS" option on PS3, and a linux kit on PS2.
i dont see sega returning to the console market, but they surprised me with gamegear micro, and some of their arcades run linux.
we have being seing tons of micro consoles runing android, windows and now even StemOS, so maybe in the future, we can have a big hit such as PS2/nintendo ds with over 150 milions units sold, runing linux, and that still dont change much of windows marketshare.
its a bit sad, but at least microsoft wont put all their money into trying to prevent that linux momentum, they will see it as an competition for the xbox division only, and only use the money from this division to try to compete, instead of the money of the entire windows/office/azure mamon-machine.
so i can see they still suporting linux with gamepass/xcloud
Last edited by elmapul on 16 April 2022 at 5:01 am UTC
0 Likes
Congratulations and many thanks to everyone who has been a part of this community over the years to get to this point. Also, thanks to Vovo, Gaben, Wine, DXVK people, and countless others.
We did it! Be Excellent to Eachother, and Party on Dudes!
Bonus Meme: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J19kvVIn_Fo
now that the linux year finally came, lets fight for the year of the freeBSD!
-shut up hipster
^say everyone else in the crowd
2 Likes, Who?
Valve is definitely in the Extend phase of EEE for Linux and wine, and I can see at some point they may consider making the jump to Extinguish (pairing steam off of Linux into it's own thing), but I don't see that as likely or feasible.
1). They lack the resources. Valve is 100% dependant on the free labor of the open source communities. While they've done great work, most of the heavy lifting was done long ago by others.
2). Linux being open source, it simply can't be tossed out, the way Microsoft or Apple can get rid of stuff since it's all in house.
You forgot the most important point, which is that Valve's business model depends on selling games through Steam, not selling the hardware. So, it's in their best interest that the games that work on Steam Deck also works on regular Linux as that simply means more market for them. This is why Valve is trying to support as much platforms as possible just as we recently saw with ChromeOS.
valve invested in pc games, when everyone else was giving up on it,thinking consoles are where the money is.
now they are doing the same with linux-desktop
1 Likes, Who?
There's been times recently it felt like I woke up in a different world, when sites like PC Gamer told people to stick with SteamOS and not Windows a
to me, that was the biggest surprise:
https://www.windowscentral.com/why-you-shouldnt-install-windows-steam-deck
4 Likes, Who?
Gaming on Linux is kinda meh tbh. I was able to get Overwatch and Genshin to work flawlessly with Lutris but didn't want to log into my main accounts for fair of getting them banned. The problem is no longer that games won't run on Linux cause we all know they do it's that the games aren't supported by the developers natively and modifying them or running a script in the background to make them run is probably against terms of service. The best way forward has to be in the cloud where a native client is not required imo cause Linux never seems to get included wen they make games with "cross platform play", it's always an afterthought!
0 Likes
I've come to the conclusion the reasons that it isn't 'Year of Linux on Desktop' is mostly because of Microsoft and their methods of locking down people to needing Windows. Much like back in the day, what the corporate space uses, is what people end up mostly being stuck using at home. If we can get more penetration into the corporate workspace, then maybe one day we'll have the 'year of linux on the desktop'.
Really looking forward to getting my Deck, maybe they'll let me throw my money at them next week....
As someone who is a Linux nerd for over 20 years by now and can decide weather to use Linux or Windows at work, I can tell you it's not that easy. The fact that Linux can be restricted a lot means corporate admins will do that. Also, corporate workstations are using up to 10 years old distributions. It's a nightmare. No one I work with chooses Linux at home because of our experience at work, rather contrary. People take those restricted environments as "That's linux. Reliable but missing features and comfort. It's fpr Servers and CAD." as granted.
Ultimately that's another reason why flatpak etc. are so important. When distributions with flatpak make it to these spaces, it will extend usability a LOT. Yet there will still be other hefty restrictions making everyone mad.
1 Likes, Who?
Yeah, can't happen while you can't get a steam deck. There are no steam decks in local shops. Valve online says 2022-Q3 or later.
I get your sentiment but I'd hope for 2023!
I get your sentiment but I'd hope for 2023!
0 Likes
There's been times recently it felt like I woke up in a different world, when sites like PC Gamer told people to stick with SteamOS and not Windows and even LinusTT thought SteamOS did better overall.
The biggest shock for me has been seeing the comments sections go from 3 to 4 people mentioning Linux and being booed out of the room by Windows users, to the exact opposite happening. This almost overnight change in perception of Linux, from being that weird choice to being the obvious one for Steam Deck and even recommended for games like Elden Ring by casual Windows gamers, has been absolutely mindblowing for me.
6 Likes, Who?
2). Linux being open source, it simply can't be tossed out, the way Microsoft or Apple can get rid of stuff since it's all in house.
i disagree, android has proven that its possible.
but i dont think valve has the resource to pull an android aproach, nor that they will even try.
I was actually going to mention Android in my first post, but didn't want to get too long winded.
We are actually in agreement to a good degree, I think. A similar strategy to Android is "possible", just not for Valve. Sarmand and CatKiller did an excellent job explaining the economic side above. And even with Android, Linux is still here and improving.
Either way, I hope Linux keeps getting the live it deserves from everyone!
0 Likes
See more from me