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SteamOS

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SteamOS
Default desktop of SteamOS.
DeveloperValve Corporation
OS familyUnix-like
Working stateUnder development
Source modelOpen source base system with closed source components
Initial releaseDecember 13, 2013 (2013-12-13)
Latest release1.59 / April 27, 2015; 9 years ago (2015-04-27)
Latest preview3.6.10 Beta (August 14, 2024; 24 days ago (2024-08-14)[1]) [±]
Marketing targetGamers, entertainment
Available inVarious languages
Update methodAPT
Package managerdpkg[2]
Platformsx86-64
Kernel typeMonolithic (Linux)
UserlandGNU
Default
user interface		Steam
GNOME
Official websiteSteamOS

SteamOS is a Debian Linux-based operating system in development by Valve Corporation designed to be the primary operating system for the Steam Machine game consoles.[3] It was initially released on December 13, 2013, alongside the start of end-user beta testing of Steam Machines.

Features

SteamOS is designed primarily for playing video games. Users will be able to stream games from their Windows or Mac computers to one running SteamOS, and it will incorporate the same family sharing and restrictions as Steam on the desktop.[4] Valve claims that it has "achieved significant performance increases in graphics processing" through SteamOS.[5] The operating system is open source, allowing people with high technical expertise to build on or adapt the source code.[6][7]

Since SteamOS is designed for playing games, it does not have many built-in functions beyond web browsing and playing games; for example, there is no file manager or image viewer installed by default. Users can, however, access the available GNOME desktop environment and perform tasks like installing other software.[8] Though the OS does not, in its current form, support streaming services, Valve is in talks with streaming companies such as Spotify and Netflix to bring their features to SteamOS.[9][10] The OS natively supports Nvidia, Intel, and AMD graphics processors.[11][12]

Valve stated that they plan to add support for movies, television, and music functionality prior to the consumer release of SteamOS.[13]

The current system hardware requirements for SteamOS include:[14]

History

During a panel at LinuxCon in 2013, Valve co-founder and executive director Gabe Newell stated that he believed "Linux and open source are the future of gaming" (though his beliefs about games themselves being open source is unclear), going on to say that the company is aiding game developers who want to make games compatible with Linux, and that they would be making an announcement the following week related to introducing Linux into the living room.[16] On September 20, 2013, Valve posted a statement on its website titled The Steam Universe is Expanding in 2014 which teased three new announcements from them related to "even more ways to connect the dots for customers who want Steam in the living-room."[17][18] The first announcement was revealed on September 23 as SteamOS, with Valve saying they had "come to the conclusion that the environment best suited to delivering value to customers is an operating system built around Steam itself."[19] A large focus of the reveal was the openness of the operating system, with it being announced that users would be able to alter or replace any part of the software, and that it would be free.[20]

In October 2013, Valve announced Steam Dev Days; a two-day developer conference where video game developers will be able to test and provide feedback on SteamOS and Steam Machines.[21] In October 2013, Nvidia also announced their collaboration with Valve to support SteamOS with the help of a development suite called Nvidia GameWorks which incorporates PhysX, OptiX, VisualFX and other Nvidia-proprietary APIs and implementations thereof.[22]

In November 2013, Valve confirmed that they would not be making any exclusive games for SteamOS, and were also encouraging other developers not to as it goes against their philosophy of selling games wherever customers are.[23] In December, Valve announced that a beta version of SteamOS would be released for download on December 13, 2013.[24] When this beta version released, Valve suggested waiting until 2014 to use it unless the user was confident using Linux operating systems.[25]

Performance

In December 2013, Phoronix compared three Nvidia graphics cards on SteamOS and Windows 8.1.[26] Overall, the Nvidia's proprietary Linux graphics driver can deliver comparable performance to that of the Windows drivers due to the largely shared code-base between the platforms.

In January 2014, GameSpot compared the performance to games running on Windows using identical hardware and settings with an AMD graphics card and a Nvidia graphics card. On the AMD graphics card, they found that Dota 2, Left 4 Dead 2 and Metro: Last Light all ran at considerably fewer frames-per-second under SteamOS. Left 4 Dead 2 also suffered from stuttering, which they attributed to a device driver problem. On the Nvidia graphics card Metro: Last Light ran at slightly higher frames per second, and Dota 2 ran at the same rate. They state that for Left 4 Dead 2 the Nvidia card actually performed better under SteamOS, but did not specify how as their chart indicated it performed at a lower frame rate. On both cards, Left 4 Dead 2 and Dota 2 both had longer load times compared to Windows.[27]

Reception

On the gaming front, following the initial announcement many video game developers have shared their thoughts on SteamOS. Minecraft creator Markus Persson described it as "amazing news", and Thomas Was Alone developer Mike Bithell called it "encouraging" for indie games.[28][29] Other developers such as DICE, creators of the Battlefield series, and The Creative Assembly, developers of the Total War series, have stated that they may support their games on Linux and SteamOS.[30][31]

On the operating system front, Gearbox Software head Randy Pitchford commented that he believed the operating system needed a unique application to attract developers, saying "without that must-buy product driving us all towards this stuff, I expect that the industry at large will watch curiously, but remain largely unaffected."[32] Richard Stallman, head of the Free Software Foundation, is cautiously supportive.[33]

The SteamOS beta release received mixed reviews. In TechRadar's review Henry Winchester praised the easy to navigate interface and future potential, but criticized the hard installation and lack of extra features compared to the Steam software.[10] Eurogamer's Thomas Morgan did not incur installation problems however commented negatively on the lack of options available for detecting monitor resolutions and audio output and the lack of games available natively on the operating system. He did, however, also respond positively to the user interface and called it "a positive start."[34]

See also

References

  1. ^ "SteamOS 3.6.10 Beta: Tenth time's the charm". Steam Deck store page. Valve Corporation. August 14, 2024. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
  2. ^ "SteamOS". Retrieved December 12, 2013.
  3. ^ Makuch, Eddie (September 25, 2013). "Valve reveals Steam Machines". GameSpot. Retrieved September 30, 2013.
  4. ^ Statt, Nick (September 23, 2013). "Valve fires up SteamOS, its bid for living room PC gaming". CNET. Retrieved September 28, 2013.
  5. ^ Wilde, Tyler (September 24, 2013). "The pros and cons of SteamOS". PC Gamer. Retrieved September 28, 2013.
  6. ^ Lee, Dave (September 23, 2013). "Valve announces SteamOS as it renews living room push". BBC. Retrieved September 28, 2013.
  7. ^ Statt, Nick (January 7, 2014). "Valve's Steam Machine lineup poses massive threat to gaming status quo". CNET. Retrieved April 25, 2014.
  8. ^ Cunningham, Andrew (December 14, 2013). "Valve releases SteamOS beta, early build-your-own system requirements". Ars Technica. Retrieved December 15, 2013.
  9. ^ Gilbert, Ben (November 4, 2013). "This is Valve's Steam Machine prototype and SteamOS (hands-on)". Engadget. Retrieved November 24, 2013.
  10. ^ a b Winchester, Henry (December 20, 2013). "Hands on: SteamOS Beta review". TechRadar. Retrieved December 26, 2013.
  11. ^ Pitcher, Jenna (January 6, 2014). "SteamOS now supports Intel graphics out of the box, AMD support coming" (Document). PolygonTemplate:Inconsistent citations {{cite document}}: Unknown parameter |accessdate= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |url= ignored (help)CS1 maint: postscript (link)
  12. ^ Sarkar, Samit (January 9, 2014). "Valve updates SteamOS to add support for AMD cards". Polygon. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
  13. ^ Graff, Kris (January 15, 2014). "Valve aims for SteamOS to have music, video services ready for launch". Gamasutra. Retrieved January 15, 2014.
  14. ^ "Build your own Steam Machine". Valve Corporation.
  15. ^ Michael Larabel (May 6, 2015). "SteamOS 159 Drops Support For NVIDIA's Pre-Fermi Graphics Cards". phoronix.com. Phoronix. Retrieved May 9, 2015.
  16. ^ Vandell, Perry (September 16, 2013). "Gabe Newell: "Linux and open source are the future of gaming"". PC Gamer. Retrieved September 25, 2013.
  17. ^ Wilde, Tyler (September 20, 2013). "Three big Valve announcements coming next week, probably a Linux-based Steam Box". PC Gamer. Retrieved September 25, 2013.
  18. ^ "The Steam Universe is Expanding in 2014". Retrieved September 25, 2013.
  19. ^ Makuch, Eddie (September 23, 2013). "Valve reveals SteamOS". GameSpot. Retrieved September 25, 2013.
  20. ^ "SteamOS announced by Valve, a free operating system "available soon" for living room PCs". PC Gamer. September 23, 2013. Retrieved September 25, 2013.
  21. ^ Grubb, Jeffrey (October 10, 2013). "Valve announces Steam Dev Days to give studios access to Steam OS, Steam Machines, and Steam Controller". Venture Beat. Retrieved October 18, 2013.
  22. ^ "Nvidia announces GameWorks Program at Montreal 2013; supports SteamOS". NVIDIA. 2013. Retrieved October 29, 2013.
  23. ^ Goldfarb, Andrew (November 4, 2013). "Valve Will Not Make Exclusive Games for SteamOS". IGN. Retrieved November 8, 2013.
  24. ^ Hollister, Sean (December 11, 2013). "SteamOS will be available to download on December 13". The Verge. Retrieved December 11, 2013.
  25. ^ Wilde, Tyler (December 14, 2013). "Download SteamOS now — Valve's free Linux-based operating system releases". PC Gamer. Retrieved December 15, 2013.
  26. ^ "SteamOS vs. Windows 8.1 NVIDIA Performance". December 16, 2013.
  27. ^ http://www.gamespot.com/articles/how-to-install-steamos/1100-6417288/
  28. ^ Jackson, Mike (September 23, 2013). "SteamOS is 'amazing news', says Minecraft creator". CVG. Archived from the original on September 27, 2013. Retrieved October 19, 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  29. ^ Lee, Ben (October 4, 2013). "Valve's SteamOS "encouraging" for indies, says Thomas Was Alone creator". Digital Spy. Retrieved October 19, 2013.
  30. ^ Pitcher, Jenna (October 12, 2013). "Linux only needs one 'killer' game to explode, says Battlefield director". Polygon. Retrieved October 19, 2013.
  31. ^ Peel, Jeremy (October 9, 2013). "Creative Assembly "confident" that Total War: Rome II SteamOS port is possible". PCGamesN. Retrieved October 19, 2013.
  32. ^ Brightman, James (September 30, 2013). "Steam news only a "curiosity" without a must-buy like Half-Life 3 - Pitchford". Gamesindustry. Retrieved October 19, 2013.
  33. ^ Bhartiya, Swapnil. "Richard M Stallman: Steam Is Good For GNU/Linux". Muktware web magazine. Muktware. Retrieved May 1, 2014.
  34. ^ Morgan, Thomas (December 19, 2013). "Hands-on with SteamOS". Eurogamer. Retrieved December 26, 2013.
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