Valve has put out their usual monthly Steam Hardware & Software Survey and it's looking like good news for Linux and Steam Deck once again.
We've seen the user share rise up to 1.23%, making it the highest point in multiple years (again). If we use Valve's last monthly active user count, that points the monthly active Linux user count somewhere around 1,623,600. See more on our Steam Tracker. Linux has remained at 1% or above for at least a full year now too.
According to the survey when filtering just to Linux, here are the most popular distributions:
- Arch Linux 64 bit 13.87% +2.45%
- Manjaro Linux 64 bit 11.40% +1.29%
- Ubuntu 22.04 LTS 64 bit 9.78% -0.12%
- Ubuntu 20.04.4 LTS 64 bit 9.28% -0.45%
- SteamOS Holo 64 bit 7.60% +0.02%
- Linux Mint 20.3 64 bit 6.29% -0.16%
- Freedesktop.org 21.08.14 (Flatpak runtime) 64 bit 5.29% -0.76%
- Pop!_OS 22.04 LTS 64 bit 4.90% +0.11%
- Other 31.60% -2.36%
So we're seeing Valve's SteamOS now make up 7.6% of the Linux gaming audience on Steam, which is a pretty good early showing for the Steam Deck. In terms of hardware, on the Linux side the Steam Deck appears to be the most popular device as it's now top of the list of GPUs used too.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
Some you may have missed, popular articles from the last month:
The comments on this article are closed.
Till I got my Steam Deck, I didn't even started my gaming machine. I can see why the popularity of this device is rising. :-)
7 Likes, Who?
BlackBloodRum Aug 2, 2022
While it's nice to see the linux user count go up, I can't help but wonder if many of those decks are people like me who have both the deck and a desktop linux computer.
In my case, I still use both for gaming on steam. So, in a situation like this, statistically depending on how it was counted it would appear that either:
a) There's now two distros counted for the user (Both percentages could go up)
b) That steam lost a distro user and gained a steam deck user (or vice versa, only one percentage goes up, while causing the other to drop)
In any case, it would need to be clarified as it may artificially make it appear that either you have more Linux users on steam than in actuality or that some distros are losing ground, when in fact they're just not being counted because the user has two distros being used on steam and only one of those is counted.
In my case, I still use both for gaming on steam. So, in a situation like this, statistically depending on how it was counted it would appear that either:
a) There's now two distros counted for the user (Both percentages could go up)
b) That steam lost a distro user and gained a steam deck user (or vice versa, only one percentage goes up, while causing the other to drop)
In any case, it would need to be clarified as it may artificially make it appear that either you have more Linux users on steam than in actuality or that some distros are losing ground, when in fact they're just not being counted because the user has two distros being used on steam and only one of those is counted.
9 Likes, Who?
If SteamOS is 7.6% of ~1,623,600 million Linux users, it is safe to say Valve delivered about 123,000 units so far?
6 Likes, Who?
Will be interesting to see if we can fight with Mac by the end of next year ☺️
7 Likes, Who?
Normally I get my survey every August 1st... but not this year. 2022 it was on the 2nd August.
Well, doesn't matter... I'm doing my part! :D
Well, doesn't matter... I'm doing my part! :D
1 Likes, Who?
Quoting: BlackBloodRumIn any case, it would need to be clarified as it may artificially make it appear that either you have more Linux users on steam than in actuality or that some distros are losing ground, when in fact they're just not being counted because the user has two distros being used on steam and only one of those is counted.It's a hardware survey, not a user survey. It's no more artificial than someone with a Windows desktop and a Steam Deck having both machines counted, or a desktop and a laptop.
The hardware survey lets developers compare the requirements of their game to the amount of hardware being used that meets those requirements. Developers making sure that their game works on Linux would be making sure their game works on both of your machines.
6 Likes, Who?
hardpenguin Aug 2, 2022
QuoteOther 31.60% -2.36%I am here!
1 Likes, Who?
BlackBloodRum Aug 2, 2022
Quoting: CatKillerWhile true, I think you missed my point.Quoting: BlackBloodRumIn any case, it would need to be clarified as it may artificially make it appear that either you have more Linux users on steam than in actuality or that some distros are losing ground, when in fact they're just not being counted because the user has two distros being used on steam and only one of those is counted.It's a hardware survey, not a user survey. It's no more artificial than someone with a Windows desktop and a Steam Deck having both machines counted, or a desktop and a laptop.
The hardware survey lets developers compare the requirements of their game to the amount of hardware being used that meets those requirements. Developers making sure that their game works on Linux would be making sure their game works on both of your machines.
The gen pop (not devs) are using the survey to try to guestimate how many Linux users are on steam, and often they break that statistic down to each distro also.
Devs aside, my point is about how gen pop are understanding and using said data.
0 Likes
hardpenguin Aug 2, 2022
QuoteSo we're seeing Valve's SteamOS now make up 7.6% of the Linux gaming audience on Steam, which is a pretty good early showing for the Steam DeckThis is actually mental. This is huge!
Completely new distro, completely new platform, this OS represents only one type of device!
Future looks exciting!
2 Likes, Who?
Quoting: LightkeyQuoting: ZeloxWill be interesting to see if we can fight with Mac by the end of next year ☺️Funny you should mention that, I had just calculated the macOS user share for English users for comparison and it's 3.35% versus the 2.97% for Linux.
Nice, so we are already there ☺️
0 Likes
Patreon
PayPal
See more from me