I wonder if this will be on Mac too via MoltenVK, if so IIRC that's like 7% of Steam may have access to new games never before available -- that could make a lot of money for publishers and money for valve.

Edit: Again in other words I wanted to reiterate that just because a game runs on Linux doesn't mean it has my or everyone's favor. I will compromise some (suchas buying the whole Final Fantasy series), but there are still many situations I am unwilling to run into bugs, so I will put my dollars to Linux FIRST publishers and content first.) I am certain I am not the only one who matches my alignment.

However for noobs, converts, and everyone else, it's a dream come true.

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Quoting: bingusThis is amazeballs. It pretty much confirms a few conspiracy theories we all had, and its nice to finally hear some news from Valve.

Conspiracies? Nah, speculation.

Quoting: bingusThey can also see how many people are playing thru Proton, and if the numbers increase it may make them think twice about doing Linux natives.

This definitely drops a new market right in developers laps. Developers spending time reading posts from Linux users, observing SteamPlay stats about Linux, getting feedback and bug reports about Linux and spending time Thinking about Linux is a BIG WIN / WIN for Linux.

Suddenly, a seemingly invisible platform used in Billions of devices has entered the thoughts of developers on a regular basis and they are forced to interact with and acknowledge us.

That is the first step to a native port.

Quoting: GuestIt begins. Linux world domination. Next stop, Steam OS based console...

I think both blind optimism and blind pessimism are both dangerous and our CHOO CHOO all aboard the Hype-Train is at a high with this announcement.

Although I do think it is likely at some point they relaunch the Steam OS Console, my estimate is around the time PlayStation 5 launches. They definitely have been getting things in shape. (AMD MESA HDMI Audio, FreeSync is being reformed in the current Kernel, graphics driver version buffs, etc...)

Quoting: GuestTo all those who have concerns about linux native games, keep in mind that the vast majority of games never come to Linux anyway. If they are playable in some automagical way with acceptable performance, that will still remove a huge roadblock that prevents a lot of people from installing Linux. It only gets better from there.

I think also overlooked is that just because Linux Gamers "can" buy and install windows games over Proton -- it doesn't automatically mean they WILL.

A lot of Linux Gamers will still see that as "high-risk". Some will not compromise. Some will compromise on a handful of titles. Others will go ham and buy tons of Windows games to play on Linux.

There isn't any "one" effect it will have on people.

Quoting: GuestThe thing you need to understand is that we need to reach "critical mass" on the Linux desktop. We need a valid percentage of users so more proprietary companies can take us seriously and provide native ports, like Adobe for example, and proper hardware drivers for niche hardware. Once that happens, even more people will install Linux and it will snowball from there.

Linux native will always have the benefit of better performance + less bugs. So developers will still prefer this choice if they can, especially if Linux gets more marketshare.

Two points I'd like to make.

1. Buffing our numbers is CRITICAL to our survival, growth and evolution as a community. We really can't afford to be idealistic and expect 100% open source games. It's a fucking game, not a pacemaker or router -- industries where it matters.

2. Windows may at some point retire win32 to push their lock-down and crowning king Windows Store. In this instance, existing content will work on SteamOS should Microsoft pull the plug on non Windows Store software.

3. This is good for the Wine SNOWBALL effect. The more shit that works in wine -- the even more shit that works in wine.

eg: DXVK 9 - 12 upgrades meant for gaming improve Photoshop rendering on Linux,

This is what is also known in competative MOBA as a DEATHBALL, exponential improvements if you will.

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Holy fuck, I have no words.

The amount of work and investment is just jaw dropping.

I've said it MANY MANY times before, and I want to say it again, can we PLEASE maintain optimism that Valve have been quietly been improving SteamOS and this is just the beginning of their Linux support?

Besides all their other projects and contributions, this is a HUGE AFFIRMATION of their commitment to us, and I think it's fair we reciprocate and support them as much as possible for the future benefit to the Linux platform.

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Just like Apple products can suck ass -- more expensive doesn't always mean better.

On LINUX -- that thing that we use, the AMD story is much better than other OS'es.

My reply to their nonsense?

<3 <3 <3 OPEN SOURCE DRIVER OR GTFO. <3 <3 <3

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Quoting: stretch611With AMD working much better with linux now than it was previously, nVidia might be starting to see the light that a few lost sales in the future will start adding up. They are probably trying prevent this from happening.

I call it the Sales Multiplication Effect. The more people that buy a product, the more people that buy the product.

Instead of praising nVidia, as a X-nVidia user I have the strong urge to say: what took them so long?

AMD MESA Open Source driver is the bomb on Linux.

Intel is releasing a dedicated GPU in 2020.

Both of those have open source drivers.

Linux represents the most technically able of the computer world, we influence everyone else strongly.

Nvidia better get their shit together and release a open driver and not fuck us with false advertising in the future or they are going to experience a shitty 2020s I can promise them that.

Actually AMD has reassigned a key designer that assisted in Ryzen to apply techniques to AMD graphics that were applied to Zen architecture, so AMD already going strong is gonna have the biggest can of whoop-ass to lay on nVidia.

The sun and the moon trade places, and so I predict that Nvidia will be greatly weakened in 2-4 years with Intel entering the game and AMD stepping their game up hardcore.

Edit: I sincerely feel bad for any of you who have had to endure the shit that is Nvidia PRIME. How bout we put a couple shotgun shells through that trash and move on to better shit.

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Quoting: GuestIt would be awesome, but also very bad because Valve would be in complete control.

Be realistic. Where would Linux Gaming be in 2018 if Valve hadn't stepped in in 2013. Valve already is a MAJOR influence and has some measure of control.

Can we stop acting like abused children who are scared of someone who is not us being in control? Valve have proved themselves trustworthy and I expect things to stay that way as long as Gaben is alive.

Quoting: GuestWine is the worst what ever happened to Linux gaming.

What a ridiculous polarized extreme statement. I resent such blatant FEAR mongering.

---

FTA:

QuoteValve might be adding support for compatibility tools to enable you to play games on operating systems they weren't designed for, like Wine.

This would be a absolutely brilliant full-steam-ahead tactic! The majority of /r/pcgaming has said that they would switch to Linux if all their games worked.

As a 2018 tactic, it's brilliant, maybe around 2025 it can be depreciated after the platform war for gaming is over and our market-share explodes.

I am actually looking forward to playing some old windows games hassle-free -- Rock of Ages, Burnout Paradise and the Final Fantasy series that I already bought but haven't touched since I went full Linux and had no time to dick around setting them up.

༼ つ ◕_◕ ༽つ VOVO TAKE MY ENERGY ༼ つ ◕_◕ ༽つ

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I personally dig this game, looks like a riot of fun, so hopefully they get their technical challenges sorted and we're on our way soon.

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QuoteThis is probably also useful for Valve as well, since it's one less thing they will need to maintain themselves for SteamOS directly.

My thoughts exactly, if they do the leg work and get it into mainline then they can refocus on other tasks and improvements and let the community tweak it was needed.

The whole Linux platform stack seems like it's in a pretty good place save little quirks or snags here or there.

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I can't recommend Distance enough, it's a fantastic game, although I can't compare it to other racer franchises 1:1. It's its own experience and the 4 player local play is fun too.

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This is lit! Message me when it's out I'll give it a run.

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