Steam for Linux open beta

By Mathiasdm
in Back Page News

 Share

Recommended Posts

Mentor

Mathiasdm

Posted
Posted

Steam for Linux Beta Now Available to All

The Steam for Linux beta client is now available to all Steam users, so if you've been patiently waiting for an invitation to join us, consider yourself officially invited!

With a growing catalog of Linux-supported games, an active Steam for Linux community group, and a new GitHub bug reporting repository, the timing?s right to jump in and share your feedback.

Source: http://store.steampowered.com/news/9638/

  • Glassed Silver and Reacon
  • Like 2
Link to comment
https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1126866-steam-for-linux-open-beta/
Share on other sites
Grand Master

Aergan

Posted
Posted

They're expanding their market to other platforms and that's a good thing. It's hardly "the end of Windows".

Props to them for having a Github repository.

Grand Master

Pupik

Posted
Posted

So This is the end of Windows.

Yeah, because that's what happened when Steam was released for OSX (What, like two years ago?). Everything was changed and people moved to Mac, after dumping their gaming machines and forgetting about Windows.

And the game developers? They just rushed in and developed their games to support OSX, too.

Grand Master

threetonesun

Posted
Posted

Yeah, because that's what happened when Steam was released for OSX (What, like two years ago?). Everything was changed and people moved to Mac, after dumping their gaming machines and forgetting about Windows.

And the game developers? They just rushed in and developed their games to support OSX, too.

Well, you can't run any video card on a mac, and the ones they do spec are often sadly outdated. Also Apple controls the driver releases.

So... Linux is at least starting out better.

Grand Master

Duffydemon

Posted
Posted

Yeah, because that's what happened when Steam was released for OSX (What, like two years ago?). Everything was changed and people moved to Mac, after dumping their gaming machines and forgetting about Windows.

And the game developers? They just rushed in and developed their games to support OSX, too.

forgot my /FOSSnazi tag.

Grand Master

firey

Posted
Posted

Why?

Windows 8...

Due to Windows 8, and the quality Linux Distros coming out, I think more and more people are taking the plunge. Currently the major hold back is gaming. If my games ran on Linux without issue, I would likely be using it as a daily driver. I don't like/agree with the direction Microsoft is going, and it's unfortunate that the only way to have my computer as I want it, is to stick with an older version of Windows.

That, in my opinion, is why.

  • Glassed Silver and f0rk_b0mb
  • Like 2
Grand Master

threetonesun

Posted
Posted

That, in my opinion, is why.

Opinions are great, and all, but the answer to "why" is because Steam is creating its own console which will be built on Linux, and this is a) a great side benefit for those of us on PCs, and b) a huge QA opportunity.

It's not like Linux gaming hasn't had a chance in the past. Back when the choice was the relatively crap Windows ME, and Red Hat was making a real push and was still free, ID and a few other companies released Linux versions of games, that you could actually find at the store and buy in a box. It's never been a Windows vs. Linux thing.

Grand Master

+Majesticmerc MVC

Posted
  • MVC
Posted

Why?

Two reasons.

First, the Linux gaming market is basically untapped. There aren't many of us, but that's probably because there aren't many games (chicken/egg scenario). There is money to be made however, since the Humble Indie Bundles consistently show that Linux users pay more for their bundles than Windows and Mac, so that's got to mean something.

Second, the Steam console is coming, and it will run Linux. Releasing the Steam Linux beta is basically a sly beta test for the Steam client that will be used in the console. Getting developers to write games for Linux will also give them a bigger collection of launch games when they finally release the Steam box.

Community Regular

ingramator

Posted
Posted

Opinions are great, and all, but the answer to "why" is because Steam is creating its own console which will be built on Linux, and this is a) a great side benefit for those of us on PCs, and b) a huge QA opportunity.

It's not like Linux gaming hasn't had a chance in the past. Back when the choice was the relatively crap Windows ME, and Red Hat was making a real push and was still free, ID and a few other companies released Linux versions of games, that you could actually find at the store and buy in a box. It's never been a Windows vs. Linux thing.

Truth. Valve do not care about linux users at all, the whole Windows 8 is bad thing is just a complete bull crap scape goat reason for trying to cover up the fact they want to have their own gaming machine, which will have to run linux.

Windows 8...

Due to Windows 8, and the quality Linux Distros coming out, I think more and more people are taking the plunge. Currently the major hold back is gaming. If my games ran on Linux without issue, I would likely be using it as a daily driver. I don't like/agree with the direction Microsoft is going, and it's unfortunate that the only way to have my computer as I want it, is to stick with an older version of Windows.

That, in my opinion, is why.

Linux is great for a lot of things, namely hacking, however it is not good at gaming nor will it ever be. Drivers, support, market share and above all -fragmentation are going to continue to hold it back. Microsoft have not done anything to stomp out steam, so I don't know what you mean by the direction they are headed because last time I checked, steam was running on this Windows 8 box just fine, exactly the same (if not faster :p) then it was on Windows 7.

Grand Master

n_K

Posted
Posted

I was invited to the beta and since I was I got the introvision software bundle, torchlight 2 (even though it doesn't have support for linux) and I'll be getting red orchestra 2 if/when it's ported to linux.

I think that can finally put an end the endless amounts of bull**** I've kept hearing over the years of 'oh its linux, people dont pay for software'

Grand Master

theyarecomingforyou

Posted
Posted
Truth. Valve do not care about linux users at all, the whole Windows 8 is bad thing is just a complete bull crap scape goat reason for trying to cover up the fact they want to have their own gaming machine, which will have to run linux.

Valve has significantly advanced gaming on OSX through SteamPlay and it's continuing that momentum by throwing its weight behind Linux. I don't see why you feel the need to complain when Valve is doing more to advance gaming on the platform that virtually every other company combined. It's even been helping nVidia improve their Linux drivers. Valve has a long history of working for gamers and advancing the platform - your cynicism is baseless.

Mentor

grik

Posted
Posted

Thanks to Valve i now buy games and have fun with the community. On the old days we had to separate everything. Of course this can be dangerious if they take the whole market, witch i dont think that is going to happend.

Valve does a great job updating their games and a strong engine.

This topic is now closed to further replies.
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Posts

    • 007 First Light review: Satisfying spy adventure that James Bond needed

      By Nargg · Posted

      I bought this game. Played it for an hour, and then got a refund from Steam. Not a fun game at all.
    • Nothing Ear buds with active noise cancellation are at their lowest price ever with 51% off

      By Fiza Ali · Posted

      Nothing Ear buds with active noise cancellation are at their lowest price ever with 51% off by Fiza Ali Amazon is currently offering the Nothing Ear wireless earbuds at their lowest price ever with 51% off limited prime deal. The earbuds feature an 11mm dynamic drivers with a ceramic diaphragm, and support high-resolution audio codecs including AAC, SBC, LDAC, and LHDC 5.0. They support active noise cancellation of up to 45dB across a frequency range of up to 5000Hz, and include a smart ANC algorithm, adaptive noise cancellation, and a transparency mode that allows surrounding sounds to be heard when needed. Connectivity is provided via Bluetooth 5.3, with support for multiple profiles including HFP, A2DP, AVRCP, and others. The earbuds also support dual connection, allowing them to be paired with two devices at the same time. Additional features include IP54 water and dust resistance for the earbuds and IP55 for the charging case, in-ear detection, pinch controls, low-latency mode, Google Fast Pair, Microsoft Swift Pair, and a three-microphone system per earbud for clearer voice calls. The Nothing X app, available on Android and iOS, provides access to custom EQ settings, bass enhancement, personal sound profiles, ear tip fit testing, firmware updates, customisable controls, dual-device management, and a find-my-earbuds feature. In terms of battery performance, each earbud has a 46mAh battery and the charging case has a 500mAh capacity. With active noise cancellation (ANC) turned off, the earbuds should offer up to 8.5 hours of playback on a single charge and up to 40.5 hours in total with the charging case. With ANC enabled, playback should last up to 5.2 hours on the earbuds and up to 24 hours with the case. For calls, talk time should reach up to 5 hours on the earbuds and 23 hours with the case when ANC is off, while ANC on should provide up to 4 hours on the earbuds and 18 hours with the case. Finally, fast charging should deliver up to 10 hours of playback from 10 minutes of charging when ANC is disabled. Nothing Ear Wireless Earbuds Bluetooth: $73.15 (Amazon US) - 51% off Good to know This Amazon deal is U.S. specific, and not available in other regions unless specified. We only use first-party seller links (at the time of article publishing); ensure that you purchase from a first-party seller link only. Check out Today's Deals on Amazon | or our recent tech deals. Become a Prime member (for Students or SNAP) via Neowin Get Prime Access - Prime for half price (for qualifying Medicaid, EBT, SNAP) Subscribe to Prime Video, Audible Plus, Music Unlimited or Kindle Unlimited via Neowin As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
    • Microsoft Eyes DeepSeek V4 for Copilot Cowork: What Azure Hosting Cannot Fix

      By +TRS-80 · Posted

      Microsoft officially launched its Copilot Cowork enterprise AI agent on June 16, 2026, switching to usage-based pricing on the same day it disclosed it is considering a Microsoft-hosted version of China's DeepSeek V4 as a lower-cost engine for the platform — a pairing that puts the company on a collision course with both its enterprise customers' security teams and a White House that has spent months trying to wall off Chinese AI from American infrastructure.................... https://www.techtimes.com/articles/318647/20260618/microsoft-eyes-deepseek-v4-copilot-cowork-what-azure-hosting-cannot-fix.htm  
    • Politically funny images of the World

      By +Edouard · Posted

    • Forza Horizon 6 gets another hotfix for one of the game's online modes

      By TarasBuria · Posted

      Forza Horizon 6 gets another hotfix for one of the game's online modes by Taras Buria Recently, Forza Horizon 6 players discovered an interesting glitch that allowed farming a crazy amount of in-game credits in a few minutes. Playground Games quickly pulled the plug on the exploit by disabling one of the game's online modes, and today, the studio is rolling out another hotfix. In my review, I complained about the game still showering gamers with cars, credits, and wheelspins. As such, earning money in Forza Horizon 6 is not a particularly difficult task. You simply have to play the game, crazy, I know. However, people still found an easier path to becoming a billionaire in Forza Horizon 6. All you had to do was purchase the Hummer EV, install a specific tune, shift in reverse while going at about 15 MPH, hit a wall, and get launched into the stratosphere at the speed of light. While mid-air, launch Eliminator and quickly get eliminated. Boom, the game just awarded you with a few million in-game credits. Initially, Playground Games disabled Eliminator to prevent people from farming credits. Now, following the release of the first balancing update, developers are rolling out a new update that re-enables Eliminator and gives users a free McLaren Sabre as a gesture of goodwill. Here is the changelog: One critical issue remains unpatched, though. There are quite a few reports of the game wiping gamers' saves, and developers are still looking into that. To avoid potential data loss, Playground Games recommends taking one of the steps outlined in a previously published support article.

  • Recent Achievements

    • First Post
      AndreaB earned a badge
      First Post
    • Week One Done
      Huge Trailer earned a badge
      Week One Done
    • Week One Done
      Classifyskilleducation earned a badge
      Week One Done
    • One Month Later
      eurospharma62 earned a badge
      One Month Later
    • Week One Done
      With What earned a badge
      Week One Done

  • Popular Contributors

    1. 1
      +primortal
      591
    2. 2
      +Edouard
      170
    3. 3
      PsYcHoKiLLa
      76
    4. 4
      Michael Scrip
      67
    5. 5
      neufuse
      64
    Show More

  • Tell a friend

    Love Neowin? Tell a friend!