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this post was submitted on 21 Jul 2026
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PC Master Race
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This is nice to hear. A win for consumers, just imagine how much better the sales would have been without the insane memory prices.
What is the win for consumers?
Linux and an open ecosystem.
Linux sure, open ecosystem? Meh I wouldn't call Steam that. They're pretty much a monopoly that also inserts DRM
You do know that you have full control over what you run on the system, right? It's not like a loss-leader that has to limit the user's freedom to recoup losses and turn a profit.
I mean, it's an x86 pc. You can run Windows on it.
I meant Steam OS more specifically. The gaming mode provides a proper console experience, but with the added benefit of being able do whatever the fuck I want. I can run my usual open source software alongside games by simply adding them as a non-steam games, so I can play music with Clementine, use Mumble for voice chat, etc. My favorite thing about it is that it's not a walled garden basically.
Also, what do you mean about steam inserting DRM? Steam as a store allows games to be published with DRM is my understanding. But not all games on Steam have DRM, so how is Valve "inserting" DRM?
The monopoly part is true though, but I'd argue that it is somewhat natural to reach this state given how shitty their competitors are vs how solid steam has been for decades.
Steam also makes and distributes their own DRM but it's optional whether or not publishers choose to include it in their games.
It's still ultimately optional but definitely more than just "allowing games with DRM to be published". They are offering a ready-made solution for it as well.
I run my steam deck in desktop mode
Price sucks, but if it sells enough it gives a better baseline than the Deck for devs to target. And hopefully leads to improvements in anticheat support with some games still refusing to provide it.