With the recent announcement of Valve’s Linux-based SteamOS, the Linux gaming community has been in a tizzy. It would be quite the understatement to say that people aren’t excited for SteamOS, especially gamers that have chosen Linux as their main operating system.
Even non-Linux gamers are curious about what Valve has planned. Many are even planning on switching to using Linux if SteamOS really takes off.
So, what does SteamOS mean for the future of Linux gaming? In this article, I will discuss a few things that will most likely happen with the success of Valve’s SteamOS.
Linux becomes mainstream
The combo of SteamOS with Valve’s ‘Steam Machines’ could end up making Linux the go-to platform for gaming. If Steam Machines become anywhere near as popular as other video game consoles are currently then the majority of gamers will be playing on Linux.
With Linux gaming entering the mainstream, then that of course means more people owning and using Linux systems. Although it may not make Linux as popular as Windows, it’s safe to say it’ll help close the gap.
More Linux support from Valve
Since Valve’s operating system is based on Linux that means Valve will be supporting Linux a lot more in the coming future. Not only will Valve need to increase their customer support for Linux, but they’ll also most likely focus a lot of their efforts on improving Steam performance and capability for Linux.
More support could also come in the form of pressuring other companies to release their games for Linux, perhaps even providing an incentive to gaming companies that release Linux versions of their games on Steam.
More AAA games for Linux
If Valve’s SteamOS really takes off then other companies will no doubt take notice of the switch to Linux gaming. This can only mean good things for the Linux gaming community.
If Linux gaming gets popular enough then we can be sure to see big companies like EA and Activision porting their AAA games over to Linux. This means Linux gamers will finally be able to enjoy the latest Battlefield and Call of Duty games, just to name two big ones.
Conclusion
Thanks to Valve and SteamOS big changes will be coming to Linux in the future, especially for the Linux gaming community. It definitely won’t be a huge change overnight, but the progress has already started and definitely won’t be stopping anytime soon.
Now is a great time to be a Linux gamer.