Valve is preparing Steam for Linux (again)

[cobito]

It seems that a team has been formed at Valve to port Steam and some Source games to Linux. What makes one think that this time they are serious is the existence of private betas of L4D2 running natively on a Linux system. I hope I will not have to reply to myself saying that it was all "false" like last time.

More information: http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=article&item=valve_linux_dampfnudeln&num=1

[cobito]

Gabe Newell, CEO of Valve has spoken out about it. He has not only confirmed the development of Steam for Linux but has also stated that it will be available before the year is over.

Via: We will have Steam for Linux before the year ends

Source: [Phoronix] Valve's Gabe Says "Yes" To Steam Linux This Year

[Yorus]

Let's see if it's the definitive one, if Blizzard took an example and ported WoW/Diablo/Starcraft, I think I wouldn't have a single computer with Windows (well, maybe on the laptop, the license is good :troll:)

[cobito]

@Yorus:

Let's see if it's the definitive one, if Blizzard took an example and ported WoW/Diablo/Starcraft I think I wouldn't have a single computer with Windows (well, maybe on the laptop, the license is good:troll:)

Valve's move may be the beginning of many other ports. As far as I know, the main reason games are not ported to Linux is because the graphics drivers are so bad that it's not worth it for the amount of patches you have to put on the graphics engine. If things get polished with the arrival of Source, other developers may get encouraged.

It's also a matter of OpenGL spreading a bit more, but there's MacOS with 5 times more market share than Linux and with exactly the same problem of libraries so, although it may seem paradoxical, Apple's system can become a great ally of Linux in this aspect.

[Yorus]

I hope that many indie projects will also join in, sometimes they attract my attention even more than the most popular titles.

[cobito]

Valve has enabled a blog for developers of ports to Linux: Linux | Valve

In it so far several things are said: Steam for the moment will only be available for Ubuntu and depending on the success, other distributions will be taken into account. I don't quite understand this since if it works on Ubuntu what will prevent it from working on other distros? One would only have to convert the packages.

Another thing they say is that they are now working on making a fully functional client for Linux in addition to optimizing L4D2 with OpenGL and putting their hands on other Valve titles.

[Yorus]

There are already two confirmed titles for Linux Steam, Left 4 Dead 2 and Serious Sam 3: BFE. I'm not much of an FPS guy, but this one moves.

[cobito]

They are already starting to talk about dates. According to this entry, they will launch Steam for Linux along with L4D in mid-October (they don't mention the rest of the promised titles).

Source: Steam Linux: In October » PortalLinux | PortalLinux

[cobito]

From the official blog of Valve developers for Linux, they have explained what I mentioned in the previous post. It seems that it will be a public beta intended for 1000 participants and that it will include the Steam client, a game, and support for Ubuntu 12.04 onwards.

To participate in the beta, you will need to register at a place that will be announced in a future blog post.

[Yorus]

Well lately the only game that hooks me is the simple New Star Soccer 5, and curiously it has just moved to Steam. I hope it ends up coming out on Linux, and that whatever comes out is more varied than FPS.

[cobito]

A list of games that will be available on Steam for Linux has been leaked and these are them:

Amnesia: The Dark Descent
Crusader Kings 2
Cubemen
Dynamite Jack
Eversion
Galcon Fusion
Solar 2
SpaceChem
Steel Storm: Burning Retribution
Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP
Trine 2
Waveform
World of Goo

It's not that they are very commercial or novel games for Linux, but one has to start somewhere.

Source: The list of games that will be available on the Steam platform for Linux has been leaked - Softpedia in Spanish

[cobito]

The beta tester selection process has begun. To participate, visit this site: http://www.valvesoftware.com/linuxsurvey.php

Once you enter your username and password, a form appears that asks you, basically, about the software and hardware you have available.

Via: You can now request access to the Steam Beta for Linux

[Kernel1.0]

They say they will start with only 1000 players… good luck to whoever signs up.

[cobito]

It seems that there is a way to use Steam beta without being selected, which consists of downloading the package for Ubuntu (http://media.steampowered.com/client/installer/steam.deb) or Arch Linux (AUR (en) - steam). According to them, it is not necessary to have an account for the beta.

I can't test it from Mageia, although I'm going to try it on a virtual machine with Ubuntu.

Source: How To Use Steam For Linux Right Now, Without A Beta Account ~ Web Upd8: Ubuntu / Linux blog
Vía: Como usar Steam en Linux sin necesidad de haber quedado seleccionado por Valve « Libuntu, un novedoso blog sobre Ubuntu

[Tecnho]

I think the BETA is already open to the whole community, the linux users will tell you.

Regards.

[cobito]

A couple of weeks ago or so I invited everyone who sent the request. I was sent this message

Welcome to the Steamlinuxbeta@list.valvesoftware.com mailing list!
Welcome to the Steam for Linux limited beta!

Information about installing and getting started can be found here:
Steam Community

Do not reply to this message; this mailing list is not moderated.

To post to this list, send your email to:

steamlinuxbeta@list.valvesoftware.com

General information about the mailing list is at:

https://list.valvesoftware.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/steamlinuxbeta

If you ever want to unsubscribe or change your options (eg, switch to
or from digest mode, change your password, etc.), visit your
subscription page at:

https://list.valvesoftware.com/cgi-bin/mailman/options/steamlinuxbeta/alejandrocobo%40gmail.com

You can also make such adjustments via email by sending a message to:

Steamlinuxbeta-request@list.valvesoftware.com

with the word `help' in the subject or body (don't include the
quotes), and you will get back a message with instructions.

You must know your password to change your options (including changing
the password, itself) or to unsubscribe. It is:

raivnuix

Normally, Mailman will remind you of your list.valvesoftware.com
mailing list passwords once every month, although you can disable this
if you prefer. This reminder will also include instructions on how to
unsubscribe or change your account options. There is also a button on
your options page that will email your current password to you.

The problem is that I have been completely unable to get it to work on Mageia and for the moment I have done some tests on the client from Ubuntu in a virtual machine without being able to test the games.

Anyway I am following the information from the Hub (Steam Community :: Steam for Linux) closely and it seems to have quite a lot of activity in terms of an update coming out practically every week.

I think it will be ready very soon, at which point they will start to get their hands on the rest of the distros.

[cobito]

According to this, the Steam release for Linux is already available

Initially Steam for Linux will have 39 games, including the well-known Left 4 Dead 2, Team Fortress 2, Serious Sam 3 or World of Goo. It will only work on Ubuntu, Arch Linux and OpenSuse.

It seems that the process has been very fast. When I get home I will try it.

[kynes]

Wow, it looks like Uncle Gabe is serious about the steambox thing. This is just the beginning.

[kynes]

I just found a great deal on milk… Borderlands 2 x 4 licenses the pack x 3 packs (12 licenses) for 7 €, to be activated on Steam. A bug in an online store, which they are now forced to maintain. With these prices, how can we not switch to Steam?

[Tecnho]

kynes pon kiosko, still looking for a bordelarnd where you got caught XD