SteamOS will be available to download tomorrow (13th Dec)
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Caporegime
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How many games actually work on Steam OS natively?
I'd give it a bash, but I'd probably lose the ability to play about 95% of my library.
I'd give it a bash, but I'd probably lose the ability to play about 95% of my library.
As far as I know, most Source engine stuff now works at least.
Naturally, this is going to be down to driver support. If NVidia and AMD can't be bothered to support SteamOS, it'll tank, no matter how many games they drive to it.
Randal in the Linux forum has been doing some gaming with Ubuntu, his thread might be worth a read to give you an idea of what the state of Linux gaming is.
Naturally, this is going to be down to driver support. If NVidia and AMD can't be bothered to support SteamOS, it'll tank, no matter how many games they drive to it.
Randal in the Linux forum has been doing some gaming with Ubuntu, his thread might be worth a read to give you an idea of what the state of Linux gaming is.
Caporegime
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Just had a look at that thread, I can't say that it's making me want to jump and try out this Steam OS like 
Caporegime
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I don't find the SteamOS totally viable to be honest.
They're touting it as a gaming OS, you'd expect to just run the OS, install your game and bang play it straight off.
But unless there's some magic going on, it's not going to happen.
They're touting it as a gaming OS, you'd expect to just run the OS, install your game and bang play it straight off.
But unless there's some magic going on, it's not going to happen.
The hope is that's what it comes down to, eventually. Like any platform it relies on support. Just ask Nintendo what happens when nobody wants to develop for you!
I do think Valve are in a good position here given that Microsoft seem desperate to dump as many PC gamers as they can in favour of chasing phones and tablets. The timing couldn't be better.
I do think Valve are in a good position here given that Microsoft seem desperate to dump as many PC gamers as they can in favour of chasing phones and tablets. The timing couldn't be better.
Steam OS will be a failure, like every other reinvention of the wheel, such as Google+. There is no reason to pick it and it's box over the dominating consoles or PC's. None, zero, nada.
I think this is a classic case of 'the wise boss' panicking after hearing a piece of news (Microsoft's Windows intergrated game shop), coming up with an idea to solve the problem and no one having the guts to put some sense into him once the snowball started rolling.
I think this is a classic case of 'the wise boss' panicking after hearing a piece of news (Microsoft's Windows intergrated game shop), coming up with an idea to solve the problem and no one having the guts to put some sense into him once the snowball started rolling.
Windows costs a lot of money. Steam OS is free. Both beer and freedom free.
I would've been more impressed if it hadn't been free. I've wanted an OS specifically designed for games since I got my first computer in the early 90s and I would gladly pay for it.
Unfortunately, Steam OS is not that, it is Linux with all it's known issues, with a Steam skin. Think about it for a second, is a 4th platform for games needed? Don't we have enough issues with bad ports from one platform to another, bad drivers and lackluster compatibility?
In other words, if Steam OS is the answer, what is the problem?
To be fair Windows was a headache for games back in 1995. SteamOS needs to be given it's chance. If it's still crap in 2015 then by all means start heckling Valve.
Plus Microsoft could just make this problem go away if they wanted to (proper gaming OS - not a phablet one, stop pulling crap like GFWL to name but two options) but elect not to.
Plus Microsoft could just make this problem go away if they wanted to (proper gaming OS - not a phablet one, stop pulling crap like GFWL to name but two options) but elect not to.
I think it will work out well especially when the smart kiddies out there get involved.
Personally I will be glad to see an alternative to bloated resource hungry windows OS's we are forced to use just to play games.
It's not even like we could really ever fundamentally tweak windows so I don't think we need to be that apprehensive.
Personally I will be glad to see an alternative to bloated resource hungry windows OS's we are forced to use just to play games.
It's not even like we could really ever fundamentally tweak windows so I don't think we need to be that apprehensive.
Caporegime
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The problem with steam os is the whole lack of directx.
Otherwise it's no more viable than people using Linux already .
Otherwise it's no more viable than people using Linux already .
Windows costs about two games.
Trouble is everyone would use it to get away from their regular bloatware..and when have MS ever really offered people a choice ? agree GFWL really was out of order
DirectX is what ties the games to Microsoft so we'll never get one without the other.
OpenGL will be fine
Caporegime
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And the modern games available in opengl are in the vast minority, thus no more viable than a normal Linux distribution .
Think you will find AMD and Nvidia have got some interesting stuff in the pipeline and this could allow them to pursue it free of MS limitations, time will tell.