And now the "real" reason Valve created a Linux client

[fatality_uk]

Linux based console anyone :)

http://kotaku.com/5966860/gabe-newell-living-room-pcs-will-compete-with-next+gen-consoles

[Jakin]

I was reading about it earlier. You know what that means right? There is going to be some SERIOUS porting of games, out of neccesity, but good for all of us using linux ;D Might even be some linux exclusives (just maybe) won't that be a slap to MSFT face :lolflag:

[drawkcab]

steam already has an xbmc-ish interface for your htpc that is game controller friendly

makes me wanna upgrade my htpc

[mamamia88]

why would valve release a console that ships with an os incompatable with most games on steam? people are going to buy it thinking they can play everything on steam.

[Bandit]

Hope it pans out. This would mean a whole slew more games for linux users. Now if they would just invest more games for Mac :-(

[mamamia88]

Hope it pans out. This would mean a whole slew more games for linux users. Now if they would just invest more games for Mac :-(

hopefully they don't pull a netflix. making games available for stuff that runs linux like android and roku but not working on desktop linux distros.

[forrestcupp]

I figured they would come out with a console, but this is a little different direction than I thought. I didn't think about them marketing it as a PC. It makes sense, though.

I'm sure if they start putting out Linux-based PC/consoles, there will be a mass move to port games to Linux. Who would want to miss out on something that huge? This is going to have a lot bigger market share than plain Linux desktop PCs.

[Bandit]

hopefully they don't pull a netflix. making games available for stuff that runs linux like android and roku but not working on desktop linux distros.

True that..

[DeadSuperHero]

I'm actually really happy to see Valve putting their money on Linux. I think their approach with going with the "SteamBox" is actually pretty unique. Instead of just releasing yet another console, with yet another new SDK, and convincing game devs to switch over and support yet another platform, they can just build on the Linux platform to ensure stability and a wide range of compatibility.

To me, that's a very viable approach to understanding the marketshare of desktop linux distributions. There isn't just one distro that everybody's using; there's lots of them. Over time, they'll be able to support more and more distributions, and they'll probably package up their client for quite a few different Linux systems.

Not to mention, Steam's a pretty great game distribution platform, and we'd probably see a surge in not only A-level titles, but Linux-native indie games as well.

[doorknob60]

hopefully they don't pull a netflix. making games available for stuff that runs linux like android and roku but not working on desktop linux distros.

I don't think that will happen, considering they already have their stuff available on traditional Linux distros. Steam is a platform for PC (not just Windows) gaming, and it will stay that way. A Steam console will just be a PC specifically designed for Steam, with a great out of the box experience, without taking away the possibility of building your own PC (with Linux or Windows) to get a more customized, but similar, experience. Valve won't alienate their faithful audience (PC gamers, that enjoy building their own gaming PCs), they just want to expand to compete with the consoles as well :)