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SteamOS

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Re: SteamOS

#171

Post by ketralnis »

matthew-wegner wrote: post #48
rkalla wrote: post #26

This is effectively the software-only equivalent of a console launch. Is anyone else skeptical that they can motivate publishers to spend time/money porting their games to the Linux platform? Valve certainly has a better chance than most at pulling this off (and likely enough user/market data to make this seem like a valid investment) I am still super skeptical that these publishers are going to spend the time portin…

Valve has three announcements this week: http://kotaku.com/looks-like-well-hear-about-valves-new-hard... One of the announcements is widely believe to be the long-rumored Steam Box hardware...

Why would they announce the software separately from its #1 use case?

Re: SteamOS

#172

Post by aryastark »

jknt1164 wrote: post #103

I'm not a software dev, so this might be a really dumb question, but how hard is it to port/co-develop Windows/Mac games to Linux? From what I can find out, PS3 is based on FreeBSD and WiiU is a heavily modified version of Linux, possibly Android. XBOX obviously Windows. Would it be that much harder to also have a SteamOS version in the mix too.

I don't think porting is the main issue, with Linux adoption. It's always been support. You extend to another platform, you're instantly responsibly for all the tech support of your game on that platform.

IIRC, id Software pretty much had a "you're on your own" type of deal, with people using Linux. They provided the Quake binary, gave a README and some FAQs, and then you're on your own.

Likewise, Blizzard does not allow people to run World of Warcraft on platforms other than Windows and OS X. They know people run under WINE and could prevent them. But they don't. They just don't support it. It's win-win for them. More users without doing anything.

Porting is pretty easy if you target OpenGL and keep everything (sound, input) generic. SDL also works on many platforms.

Re: SteamOS

#173

Post by errnoh »

minimaxir wrote: post #9

So the Streaming functionality will be in both SteamOS and the normal Steam client? For both PC and Mac? There might be a few interesting ways to utilize that. :)

Yeah, I see the streaming functionality as almost bigger announcement than the OS.

It's quite possible that one could stream into any other machine including tablets, laptops and even phones. This would enable playing your full Steam library from anywhere with decent enough connection (on both sides), especially games where input lag is not that big issue.

Re: SteamOS

#174

Post by WalterSear »

xentronium wrote: post #58
Robadob wrote: post #49

Earlier quoted context omitted.

A large part of it may be covered by this functionality; "You can play all your Windows and Mac games on your SteamOS machine, too. Just turn on your existing computer and run Steam as you always have - then your SteamOS machine can stream those games over your home network straight to your TV!"

It's a dual-edged sword, as being able to stream windows titles doesn't give much incentive for game devs to fully support linux, does it?

It's a stepping stone.

Re: SteamOS

#175

Post by shardling »

Mikeb85 wrote: post #155
dzddd wrote: post #129

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't believe that they'll even focus on users installing the OS, just like 99% of Windows users don't install their own OS. Valve will provide the reference SteamBox and encourage other manufacturers to release their own SteamOS-preinstalled boxes, giving users hardware options.

This is the end goal - but for the time being, it does seem aimed at tinkerers - the kind of people who already have a PC hooked up as an HTPC...

Keep in mind that this is the first of three announcements that they've, err, announced: http://store.steampowered.com/livingroom/

The second is in 48hrs, and almost definitely something related to the SteamBox. So it's too soon to speak of their intentions "for the time being".

Re: SteamOS

#176

Post by scarlson »

ketralnis wrote: post #171
matthew-wegner wrote: post #48

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Valve has three announcements this week: http://kotaku.com/looks-like-well-hear-about-valves-new-hard... One of the announcements is widely believe to be the long-rumored Steam Box hardware...

Why would they announce the software separately from its #1 use case?

Casual vs Hardcore gaming. If they announce the console first, and it's not able to run the latest and greatest games on their highest resolution they stymie the idea of being able to run SteamOS on a high end gaming rig.

This way people are thinking about how they can run SteamOS on their existing hardware before thinking they need to run it on a Steambox.

Re: SteamOS

#177

Post by snotrockets »

RyanZAG wrote: post #83

This is basically a similar approach Android took for phones. It leverages off Linux while replacing user facing pieces to give the user a simplified and consistent environment that they expect. However as with Android, that isn't enough to get it to take off. Android had huge traction problems to start with until they managed to get the big device makers to train users and market the devices. SteamOS is going to hav…

I suspect that like Android, they're going to leverage Linux-the-kernel, but have a user space that is alien to the one common in current Linux servers and desktops.

I can understand: I'd say good riddance to some parts of the userspace myself coughX windows systemcough, but having a few different userspaces is like having the UNIX wars all over again.

PS "The UNIX wars" has a modern space opera ring to it, like something out of an Orson Scott Card book (or JMS script. Or maybe your-favourite author. I don't read enough Sci-Fi to know). And now I have an urge to write a comics^W graphic novel adaptation of the UNIX wars. It'll be glorious!

Re: SteamOS

#178

Post by bryanh »

Let's hope they don't got the route of Android, which is perhaps the most successful consumerization of Linux to date, wherein they allow hardware vendors bog it down with crapware...

Re: SteamOS

#179

Post by toblender »

I wonder if history will repeat itself, will Valve be the next Apple?

Apple took FreeBSD and makes it into OSX. > Valve takes Linux and makes it into SteamOS.

Apple makes iTunes for music, unifying digital music download > Valve makes Steam for games, unifying digital game download

Apple make IPOD for digital music playing > Valve make (SteamBox?) for game playing

Damn I wish I could own some Valve stock...

Re: SteamOS

#180

Post by snotrockets »

kaolinite wrote: post #82
rkalla wrote: post #26

This is effectively the software-only equivalent of a console launch. Is anyone else skeptical that they can motivate publishers to spend time/money porting their games to the Linux platform? Valve certainly has a better chance than most at pulling this off (and likely enough user/market data to make this seem like a valid investment) I am still super skeptical that these publishers are going to spend the time portin…

Tonnes of AAA titles are 'available' on FreeBSD - the PS3. Publishers won't be bringing their games to Linux, they'll be bringing them to SteamOS.

PS3 runs FreeBSD likes Android runs Linux.

That is, they may share a kernel and some tools, but the user spaces are mostly alien.

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