Hey Linux fans..like Steam?

[Zidders]

http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/25/steam-for-linux/

"It's been a long-running saga as to when Linux users will finally see some native gaming action on Steam, but according to Phoronix that happy day will likely arrive within "months." Valve has been busily hiring Linux OpenGL boffins, including people recommended by Phoronix's founder, Michael Larabel, who certainly seems to be on the inside track. His photo above offers some proof of progress: it shows Left 4 Dead 2 running natively on Ubuntu 11.10 with AMD Catalysts drivers. Why has it taken so long since news of a Linux client was first floated (and officially denied) back in 2010? Larabel attributes it to Valve's "flat management structure" that allows its developers to work on what they want. (And you still question the importance of hierarchy?)

Personally, while i'm not tech savvy enough to use something like Linux, I like the concept and think it's great that Valve is working on supporting the OS.

[kaosweilder]

Until then we have this: http://www.steamgamesonlinux.com/ (A very nifty site with tutorials on how to make Steam games work on Linux)
and
this: https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wik ... nder_Linux

Hope native Linux client comes soon but still it will be a long way till every developer releases a Linux version of their game. Or if you're into Indie then Desura ftw

[D2Hans]

Hope it comes soon and that quite a few games are available for it or otherwise it is just going to fail. I hope some of those games are games that I like.

[kaosweilder]

Hope it comes soon and that quite a few games are available for it or otherwise it is just going to fail. I hope some of those games are games that I like.

At least Valve will port its games to Linux then. Not sure who else will follow suit but I don't have any hope for the likes of EA, MS or Ubi at all. Hopefully Indie devs and not-so-big publishers will be encouraged by this and will push forward

[D2Hans]

I do not like any of Valve games. Hopefully other games will be going there.

[hawkn]

I do not like any of Valve games. Hopefully other games will be going there.

Let me, guess, you eat kittens alive as well?

[Zidders]

I do not like any of Valve games. Hopefully other games will be going there.

..you don't like Portal or Portal 2?


....


o.0

[Schim]

This is a very good thing. People often forget that Linux users have proven time and time again through the indie bundles that they are the most willing to shell out money to support those who develop for their platform - even outpaying those on OS X despite the fact that Linux has a significantly smaller user base. I know it's not the best indicator that Linux ventures can be profitable, but it sure as heck gives some hope that Linux can see some love in the games department. Especially because Linux distros have shown in several benchmarks to out-perform Windows and (obviously) OS X in games performance. I mean, the only reason I still use Windows is for my massive gaming addiction - open source really is my preferred way of going about things.

Also: I'd argue against anyone saying you need to be "techy" to use Linux. Ubuntu 11.10 is, in my honest opinion, as easy to use as Windows 7 or Lion. Using the right distro of Linux is the key, and Ubuntu is definitely the best for those not inclined to learn the ins and outs of an OS. Just something to think about.

[turnipz]

Woo thanks for the link zidders, this news pleases me greatly.

Linux mint or pinguy are easiest for non-linux people, just grab linux live usb creator, a usb stick, and the linux mint iso, then boot from the usb when done. Its easier to use than windows by far for those wanting to try it, its definitely better to use and generally faster. Or theres always virtual box to try it.

linux live usb creator: http://www.linuxliveusb.com/en/download
Linux mint: http://www.linuxmint.com/download.php

[Arkham]

Linux mint or pinguy are easiest for non-linux people, just grab linux live usb creator, a usb stick, and the linux mint iso, then boot from the usb when done. Its easier to use than windows by far for those wanting to try it, its definitely better to use and generally faster. Or theres always virtual box to try it.

Question: what are your thoughts on xpud?

[turnipz]

Xpud is good though it didnt seem very oftenly updated, it also has a lack of installable programs with it. Something like jollicloud or ubuntu netbook edition might be a bit better f your looking for a netbook os, or just ubuntu and switch to unity 2d if your computer lags. Something good about things based on debian or ubuntu(based on debian) is there are a lot more installable programs, as far as I know xpud only allows whats in their small repository.

[D2Hans]

I have not used xpud.

Like it was said Ubuntu and other distros based on Debian will have the most options for programs to be installed and updated quite easily by using the software manager(The name will vary based on the Distro). Fedora and Opensuse will also have many options as well for programs.

You can still install and update almost any program manually in any form of linux, but you may need to download a few packages first from your distro.

The problem is that you have to download the program separately and you would have to check for dependencies on the program you want to install and make sure they are all ready installed. And you most likely going to have use the command prompt (terminal) to run a few commands to install the program. This process can be quite lengthy and may have some issues installing if one or more of the dependencies are missing or not installed correctly.

Ubuntu desktop edition should work well with netbooks or lower end computers as long the videocard is recognized. I have not tried on a netbook but I have installed 11.10 on quite a few old laptops and they worked fine.

You can also try some of the versions based on Ubuntu that have a lighter specs such as lubuntu and xubuntu.
http://xubuntu.org/
http://lubuntu.net/

Also linux mint is a good choice. I had it for a little while on my new notebook but had issues with proper drivers for my laptop. I had issues with most distros except Opensuse. I will likely try Linux Mint or Ubuntu soon.

[ZXaeon]

It's been confirmed, and yes I am aware of the 2010 "claim" too. You will see when I post links why they weren't wrong then either:

References of Steam Linux confirmation:

http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=a ... deln&num=1

(This next one features Jono Bacon from Canonical, makers of Ubuntu Linux:)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-SmNPj ... ge#t=3134s

(This next one isn't very good quality, but the process is listed there)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_sLKHOHtug

(This next one is from this Reddit user post: http://www.reddit.com/r/linux_gaming/co ... x_youtube/ Three posts down)

http://i.imgur.com/UeQIf.jpg

(This next one is the author of the first article on IRC, where he mentions Gabe N bashing Windows harder than he does:)

http://pastebin.com/RSxVqgJB

Now, I do realise things like an IRC paste isn't "proof", I also realise that some people havn't any faith in Phoronix, but do understand there are more links to what Gabe actually said. I will post them if I find them again - right now there is much "Steam coming to Linux" on the net, it's hard to sift through what I saw where. But it is all there on the Interwebz, www.reddit.com is a good place to look. Specifically, http://www.reddit.com/r/linux_gaming

But Steam IS coming to Linux, very soon, whether you believe it or not. However, if you don't believe it, that's fine, but do expect an "I TOLD YOU SO!" soon in this thread, when Steam for Linux is released

And it all makes sense. Disregard Gabe Newell's thoughts on Windows 8, the Win 8 App Store alone will steal market share from Steam. Apple has one now, and as well as a bunch of other things, it really does make sense for Valve to release a Linux client of Steam. Everyone else seem's to share this opinion too. Now, I'm not going to really get into why Runic can or cannot release a Linux client for Torchlight 2. But I will say the fact is that much smaller studios release Linux games, and now, much bigger studios release Linux games (Valve). So........discuss it, if you want. I'm not sure if I'll say much more on Runic and Linux.

[kaosweilder]

Thanks for sharing and btw: viewtopic.php?f=9&t=23198

[ZXaeon]

Eh, just close this one :/

I did a search but nothing showed up
Serves me right for holding out in posting it here. Well truth be told, after certain myths I see floating around here about Linux being... "a coder's OS" (rofl), you can't blame me for holding out.