Steam Box To Run On Linux, 2013 Launch Confirmed

I wish Gabe Newell and John Carmack lived forever

The same John Carmack that gave the PC-crowd the middle finger with an almost unplayable version of Rage, because he devoted time and effort into the Console version almost exclusively? Sure, why not.

Hey John, I'd like you hear your thoughts on Win8. I was thinking about getting it due to RAM capabilities but you threw up a red flag. As long as I can turn that interface off...

I shant be contaminating my baby with such jackassery as Windows 8.

Thanks for the Intel logo chew toy and the belly rubs. I feel much better now. *tail wagging*

Thanks. Looks like that'll settle it for me!

I have and love Windows 7 (just as I had and loved Windows 3.1). My last PC had Vista and had a major issue that never got fixed no matter what I tried or what Microsoft said I should try. Windows 7 is great and I will stick with it, no new Vista's for me.

Jon* oops.

i'm happy to see, i'm not the only one disgusted by the new interface.

According to valve TF2 runs better on linux then it does on windows.

It's refreshing to see new players in the console industry.

Windows 8 currently has some teething problems but I believe the new metro interface is extremely slick, and is where GUI design for computer interfaces are heading in the future. while the whole interface may seem kind of alien to a lot of people now (as nearly everybody on the planet who uses a computer is familiar with the classic desktop paradigm), over time I believe the more tablet/touch based interfaces will gain popularity.

in regards to Valve entering the console race.... tbh I believe all of Gabe's posturing about how bad Microsoft and Windows 8 are isn't the core reason why we are now getting the Steam Box.

the business model that Microsoft will be introducing over the next couple of years will essentially kill steam. it copies the whole Apple/iOs thing (ie. the only way you can legally get something onto your iPhone/iPad is to go through the app store, Apple takes a cut of the profits. 30/70, and they get to control content and curb piracy on their platform).

It's no secret that Apple are also moving towards this buisness model for their main platform (check the Appstore becoming more integral to every release). Microsoft are set to move in a similar direction as well.

the entire "app store" concept just works. of course the issue with Valve is that this entire app store model really kills their whole Steam thing. no purchasing of games through a Steam Store, as this will automatically be done via the Microsoft store.

while Steam was a great idea, and money maker, for Valve, Gabe and them can probably see that it has run it's course as a viable business model.


sorry for the long (first!!) post, but this issue has been bugging me for a while.

"Predicting the future is the art form of fools." George Lewis Stevenson

I totally hope they can pull this off, but when I read that it is Linux based I thought "So it doesn't play games then?". There's like what, 1 whole major title on Steam that even works on Linux (Left 4 Dead 2). People who buy the Steam Box first should brace themselves for shitty ports and little-to-no developer support.

Yes, I think a Linux version of Steam would be rather lacking in major releases, at least at first, but I would not discount the amount of indie games that already work on Linux. I don't know much about gaming on Linux, but I'd imagine the major issue for high-profile games would be a lack of DirectX and .NET Framework support.

Maybe it'll run on a suped up Raspberry Pi and cost under $100

While we're engaging in crystal ball gazing, how awesome would it be if HL3 was the Steam Box launch title. Would certainly guarantee success :p