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Valve Steam Deck

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Re: Valve Steam Deck

#781
post #606
post #135

From the FAQ [0]: - What OS is Steam Deck running? SteamOS 3.0, a new version of SteamOS based on Arch Linux. - Will people be able to install Windows, or other 3rd party content? Yes. Steam Deck is a PC, and players will be able to install whatever they like, including other OSes. [0]: https://partner.steamgames.com/doc/steamdeck/faq

Arch Linux is amazing. The biggest surprise for me was that it's more stable than so-called stable distros, probably because the various packages don't end up drifting several months from each other when keeping up to date. Hopefully this eventually results in more user friendly Arch Linux installers. The learning curve is an absolute wall when installing, even after several years on Linux, but after that it's pretty…

Ubuntu was likely too difficult for Valve to keep modified and up to date for their needs.

Canonical doesn't have any reason to be friendly towards the specific features Valve needs to make SteamOS a thing, and Valve probably doesn't want to maintain their own fork of the entire Ubuntu distro.

Not to mention, a default install of Arch is tiny and minimalist. It's the perfect base to apply your own packages on top of without having to worry too much about conflicts with system packages, or anything else that might break between Ubuntu LTS version updates.

It means Valve can mostly have their own custom distro without having to do most of the work required to maintain a custom distro.

It also means Valve can deploy the latest package of something that boosts gaming performance (like some new graphics driver or whatever), again, without jeopardizing the core os. Arch is well known for being "bleeding edge" and getting the latest packages out immediately which is something gamers (the target audience for SteamOS) want (every single extra FPS matters, etc).

Re: Valve Steam Deck

#782
post #135

From the FAQ [0]: - What OS is Steam Deck running? SteamOS 3.0, a new version of SteamOS based on Arch Linux. - Will people be able to install Windows, or other 3rd party content? Yes. Steam Deck is a PC, and players will be able to install whatever they like, including other OSes. [0]: https://partner.steamgames.com/doc/steamdeck/faq

This is so exciting. 1st tier support!

Re: Valve Steam Deck

#783

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That is a great link. Perhaps even more interesting is this: Valve is working with anti-cheat vendors for Linux (Proton) support. So one of the biggest remaining obstacles to Linux gaming may soon be addressed as a side effect of this.

I expect the anti-cheats to require an unmodified SteamOS. Though the FAQ says the following, so it might not be quite as bad as I feared: > We recommend using user-space anti-cheat components for best results, as they can typically run in the Wine environment and provide the same level of functionality. Kernel-space solutions are not currently supported and are not recommended.

It's just a pc, you can install any OS you want on it, if anti cheat already works on that OS then it will also work on the Steam Deck.

Re: Valve Steam Deck

#784
post #166

Many people I know have bought more games on Steam than they could ever play (a behaviour encouraged by seasonal Steam sales). This strikes me as a great chance for people to discover and play titles that have sat in their collections for years.

I really need to get around to beating Darkest Dungeon some year.

don't we all :) That game is hard!

Re: Valve Steam Deck

#785
post #689

Earlier quoted context omitted.

`Steam Deck is a PC, and players will be able to install whatever they like, including other OSes.` this is probably this most exciting thing about this release. How many days until this thing is running k3s and/or serving up a prometheus dashboard on the same device that is touch capable?

The only exciting thing is the form factor. Spec wise its an underperforming laptop with integrated graphics delivering below 8 year old GTX 760 level of "performance". 1280 x 800 at up to 30 fps.

From what I've seen it's 60 fps. Where did you get 30 fps from?

The only place where I've seen 30 fps being mentioned was when they said that you can switch Portal 2 into 30 fps mode to get longer battery life (which is a Portal 2 feature available on PCs from the very beginning).

Re: Valve Steam Deck

#786
post #166

Many people I know have bought more games on Steam than they could ever play (a behaviour encouraged by seasonal Steam sales). This strikes me as a great chance for people to discover and play titles that have sat in their collections for years.

Don't forget bundles

Re: Valve Steam Deck

#788
post #606
post #135

From the FAQ [0]: - What OS is Steam Deck running? SteamOS 3.0, a new version of SteamOS based on Arch Linux. - Will people be able to install Windows, or other 3rd party content? Yes. Steam Deck is a PC, and players will be able to install whatever they like, including other OSes. [0]: https://partner.steamgames.com/doc/steamdeck/faq

Arch Linux is amazing. The biggest surprise for me was that it's more stable than so-called stable distros, probably because the various packages don't end up drifting several months from each other when keeping up to date. Hopefully this eventually results in more user friendly Arch Linux installers. The learning curve is an absolute wall when installing, even after several years on Linux, but after that it's pretty…

This brings back so many memories from around 17 years ago when I would try to do a dual install of arch linux with windows XP using the GRUB bootloader. Fun times! Can't believe it's been so long!

Re: Valve Steam Deck

#789
post #606
post #135

From the FAQ [0]: - What OS is Steam Deck running? SteamOS 3.0, a new version of SteamOS based on Arch Linux. - Will people be able to install Windows, or other 3rd party content? Yes. Steam Deck is a PC, and players will be able to install whatever they like, including other OSes. [0]: https://partner.steamgames.com/doc/steamdeck/faq

Arch Linux is amazing. The biggest surprise for me was that it's more stable than so-called stable distros, probably because the various packages don't end up drifting several months from each other when keeping up to date. Hopefully this eventually results in more user friendly Arch Linux installers. The learning curve is an absolute wall when installing, even after several years on Linux, but after that it's pretty…

[deleted]

Re: Valve Steam Deck

#790

huh? so a gameboy on steroids? that's what gets hackernews excited? at first i thought, finally a competitor to Oculus quest and what do i behold? a little notebook with domain specific keyboard ... come on, give me a break

I'm pretty sure the demand for a mobile computer like steam deck is way higher than any oculus quest competitor. How many of those exist right now that can play any steam game? Zero!
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