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Linux
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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).
Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.
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This is so great to see, and the timing is perfect.
My son already calls the PC Steam, as in “we played game A on Xbox and game B on Steam,” so maybe by the time he has a PC in his room Steam really will run the whole platform.
Hell yeah, brother.
Thanks Steve
I thought this had already happened?
I remember seeing ads on Steam for SteamOS years ago—wasn’t there a point at which you could download and run it on your own computer? What happened?
If I recall correctly, this has never happened the way it's happening now. It was a matter of "hey, you can fork it on GitHub and make your own iso thing", hence why there was a "holoiso" or something like that that (I keep forgetting the name) where people used if they wanted to install steamOS on a device. This one is straight supported by valve. Like "hey, here is our official steam OS that we use on our steam deck. Use it and we will support you".
I think modern steamos is based on a different distro then it was then. Also proton is good enough now to justify switching for a lot of people
From what I recall, it wasn't something you could easily use like a normal distro, and that version was based on Debian (so stable but outdated software). It only worked on some hardware, and you had to do a full system wipe.
More likely, this is them officially partnering with handheld or gaming laptop makers, using their latest Arch-based distro and allowing them to use Valve/Steam branding as a selling point.
I jumped into Linux, via Mint, about a year ago when I refreshed my hardware. The transition was pretty easy, and I haven't looked back. Steam runs fine and I haven't had a modern game that didn't work under default proton settings except for things I've run outside Steam and mods. Most of my personal PC's workload is gaming and handful of web-based apps that are effectively OS-agnostic; Everything else has an easy equivalent in the apt repos.
I would say that my decision to embrace Linux as my OS was primarily influenced by my Steam Deck. Gaming on it has been simple and the desktop UI was easy to adapt to. I replaced my laptop with the Steam Deck, bluetooth keyboard and mouse, and a USB-C dock with HDMI out (all things I already had for the laptop). I now just hook into whatever TV is handy as a monitor when I need a computer on the go.
I was a tech enthusiast when I was younger, and am thus familiar with fucking around on the command line, but now I'm an old man who just wants his stuff to work and it just has... The barrier of entry for the Linux Desktop is effectively gone. We just need PR now.
Also, I think I'd replace Mint on my primary PC with SteamOS, given a simple way to do so. About a year ago, the desktop/beta SteamOS was not fully baked.
I just build a new gaming/creative pc, decided to make the jump to linux mint while i was setting up something new. And I honestly expected more hickups than i got, nothing which a quick search didn't fix except for one. My xbox controller won't connect over Bluetooth, it works when connected through a cable though. But I also noticed some stick drift, so I'm tossing it and order an 8bitdo which has those magentic sticks (forgot the name) and linux compatibility.
To fix your Xbox controller issue, you'll need to do a firmware update on the controller itself. And that can only be done on windows unfortunately (unless you can figure out how to do it in a VM). Then when the firmware is updated, you install Xpadneo and you should be golden. How do I know? This is exactly what I had to do thanks to a random redditor who chimed in to help when I had this same issue. My controller now works on Bluetooth with zero issues.
I have an 8bitdo controller. It's ace:
- no issues with connection because it's dongle (but does support BT)
- turns itself off with PC (always flakey on Xbox controller)
- hall effect joysticks so stick drift shouldn't be an issue
- it's detected as an Xbox controller so it works with most games
I have an 8bitdo controller, and it's given me nothing but trouble. It's a dongle-only version (non-bluetooth, but cheaper), and it has some weird bug where the controller is recognized as both an xinput device and a keyboard. I've tried updating the firmware to no avail.
I've heard other people sing praises about the Bluetooth version, so I think people should avoid being a cheapskate on this one.
Oh that's a shame. This is the one I've got and it's been perfect: https://shop.8bitdo.com/products/8bitdo-ultimate-2-4g-controller-with-charging-dock-hall-effect-joysticks
Looks similar to what I have. Maybe I got a bum one or they've updated it. 🤷
Seconding the other person asking which model you've got. I don't see Linux compatibility listed on the web pages for the few models I just looked at. I also didnt see them list an included dongle, but thats something I'd be very interested in. Also do they all detect as Xbox controllers, or only the Xbox style ones?
I run Fedora, No issues with dongle. All are detected as Xbox controller (atleast by Steam). This is the one I got: https://shop.8bitdo.com/products/8bitdo-ultimate-2-4g-controller-with-charging-dock-hall-effect-joysticks
That sounds great, are there different models? What are you using?
There are. Some work with xbox's, some have docks. This is the one I got: https://shop.8bitdo.com/products/8bitdo-ultimate-2-4g-controller-with-charging-dock-hall-effect-joysticks
Not the person you asked, but don't get the dongle-only version. Upgrade to the version with Bluetooth. The former is cheaper, but it gives me trouble on Linux, and I've never seen people complain about the Bluetooth version (I think it's called the 8bitdo Ultimate?).
I'm hoping for a Christmas sale the next few days. But I cant wait too long. Besides the point stick drift is infuriating while gaming, I also have a cat. Anything that wiggles is fair play for those claws, and that cord be wiggling.
This is the fifth person I see misinterpreting what Steve said about doing Linux performance testing, they aren't going to start doing this soon, they will only start doing it WHEN SteamOS is released for desktops! It was very clear on the video FFS
I'm also really fucking excited for that tho, I recently switched to mint and helldivers 2 actually feels smoother than on windows, it has been such a good experience!! I cannot imagine how much better things will get with more people jumping to Linux and thus game makers actually pay attention to us
I've been daily driving Linux since 2017, I started with Ubuntu and it's been great. I recently got a Lenovo T14 Gen 1 and put Linux Mint 22 on it, and I've been playing some games on it and it's been pretty nice for such a portable laptop.
Every game I bought on Steam under Windows runs great on Steam in Linux Mint. The few games I didn't buy on Steam (Deus Ex, Giants: Citizen Kabuto) run great on Wine, using the default settings.
Adopting Proton was the smartest thing Valve ever did. They're going to get about 90% of gamers migrating from Windows to Linux, who don't want to fiddle with configuration settings.
I never really gamed on PC except for Command and Conquer Red Alert and Age of Empires 2. I still got a Steam Deck and it replaced my PC and not just for gaming.
Really nice. Been waiting for this. I've used linux for two decades but kept gaming pc separate last years as I've became lazy. Now I'll likely decommision that one and just rdp into my work windows machine if needed.
Thanks gaben
People might not realize this, but your comment is a huge deal. People like you who keep a separate PC are normally very hard to convince that gaming on Linux is a viable alternative. So the fact that you're saying that, is a big deal. Right on.
I just did that. I have a dual boot laptop where Windows was used exclusively for games, and instead of upgrading that I built myself a PC with an AMD GPU (Nvidia, fuck you!).
So far I haven't run into any problem that I couldn't easily solve, and the only games that won't run are those demanding I install an anti cheat system, but I'm fine not playing those.