Valve announce Linux based gaming OS for 2014

[Darakian]

SteamOS is based on Debian.

Any chance you have a reference for that?

[Loque]

just what the pc needed.. an extra OS to make it harder for devs to port games, as if having two different graphic companies along with different hardware wasn't enough

[Iconyu]

just what the pc needed.. an extra OS to make it harder for devs to port games, as if having two different graphic companies along with different hardware wasn't enough

So XBox is using X86 and DirectX, while Sony are using X86 and OpenGL... so porting to a OS using X86 and OpenGL is going to be very hard then?

[jvc]

So XBox is using X86 and DirectX, while Sony are using X86 and OpenGL... so porting to a OS using X86 and OpenGL is going to be very hard then?

No, it's going to be very easy. To both Linux/SteamOS and Windows. All have OpenGL built-in. Also games run somewhat faster in OpenGL than DirectX.

[Vassili]

You think AMD might be going down the same route?

AMD already did it back in 2007 http://www.linux-magazine.com/Online...Release-by-AMD, and they did it even better, they even released 3D specifications, UDV and HDA audio gpu documentations. The last 2 they released later though.

http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?pag...urce_uvd&num=1
http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?pag...tem&px=MTQ2NjU

What AMD is probably is going to announce is, same day new hardware release and open source support, that's a first for AMD. It always took some time, but now they caught up.

[Hornet331]

For those complaining. Linux graphics drivers are fairly decent, the problem is that each vendor ships their own openGL implementation and that needs to stop.

b-but my freedoms..

[Scubar]

Isn't DirectX more powerful than OpenGL in terms of what it can do (Shading, AA) or am I mistaken ?

[Olivon]

If you guys are delivering an OS to hardware manufacturers, why is Valve also making its own box?
We're conducting a beta of the overall Steam living-room experience, so we needed to build prototype hardware on which to run tests. At Valve we always rely on real-world testing as part of our design process. The specific machine we're testing is designed for users who want the most control possible over their hardware. Other boxes will optimize for size, price, quietness, or other factors.

What are the specs of the Valve prototype?
We'll tell you more about it soon. Remember, there will ultimately be several boxes to choose from, with an array of specifications, price, and performance.

When will the prototypes ship?
This year.

http://store.steampowered.com/livingroom/SteamMachines/

[iddqd]

Isn't DirectX more powerful than OpenGL in terms of what it can do (Shading, AA) or am I mistaken ?

Newer versions of OpenGL have comparable features.

Much more importantly, DirectX has a way bigger software ecosystem.

[Linchpin]

So we're announcing who knows what, which we'll release to the public who knows when. Classic Valve right there.

[Kallenator]

More importantly guys, the unfathomable and intangible mysteries of Valve Software may be hidden within their strange images of their newly announced products.

http://i.imgur.com/BYNy9F8.gif

[tajoh111]

http://www.tomshardware.com/news/ste...e-3,24388.html


It will support all hardware. All CPUs, all GPUs -- from three generations ago at the oldest for Nvidia, two for AMD and all going forward," the unnamed employee claims. "The release design, however, will have a Nvidia GPU and an AMD CPU.

So that's part two of the reveal: a certification program for hardware builders looking to provide full solutions, and a reference design for the ideal "Steam Box". As revealed on Monday, Valve is also releasing the SteamOS platform not only for Valve partners for creating a complete package, but for PC gamers wanting to build their own Steam Box. He said that the reference design doesn't use Intel because the company wanted to be paid for its involvement while Valve in turn would be marketing Intel's hardware for free.

"[Nvidia] reached out to us and have been extremely cooperative," the employee said. "They even let us use their streaming tech ? the one they showcase on the Shield (which is getting Steam integration, btw, as are all Tegra devices), even though we told them it would have to work on AMD cards. If you were wondering what Nvidia was unveiling soon that wasn't a video card, this is it. They're the first choice for Steam Box hardware. (We even set it up so that it rains on AMD's video card announcement, kek). Expect extremely good Linux drivers from them over the next few months. AMD is? hesitant to comment."

[Hornet331]

http://www.tomshardware.com/news/ste...e-3,24388.html


It will support all hardware. All CPUs, all GPUs -- from three generations ago at the oldest for Nvidia, two for AMD and all going forward," the unnamed employee claims. "The release design, however, will have a Nvidia GPU and an AMD CPU.

So that's part two of the reveal: a certification program for hardware builders looking to provide full solutions, and a reference design for the ideal "Steam Box". As revealed on Monday, Valve is also releasing the SteamOS platform not only for Valve partners for creating a complete package, but for PC gamers wanting to build their own Steam Box. He said that the reference design doesn't use Intel because the company wanted to be paid for its involvement while Valve in turn would be marketing Intel's hardware for free.

"[Nvidia] reached out to us and have been extremely cooperative," the employee said. "They even let us use their streaming tech ? the one they showcase on the Shield (which is getting Steam integration, btw, as are all Tegra devices), even though we told them it would have to work on AMD cards. If you were wondering what Nvidia was unveiling soon that wasn't a video card, this is it. They're the first choice for Steam Box hardware. (We even set it up so that it rains on AMD's video card announcement, kek). Expect extremely good Linux drivers from them over the next few months. AMD is? hesitant to comment."

4chan and especial /v/ as source... oh boy here we go...

[Olivon]

The most prominent elements of the Steam controller are its two circular trackpads. Driven by the player?s thumbs, each one has a high-resolution trackpad as its base. It is also clickable, allowing the entire surface to act as a button. The trackpads allow far higher fidelity input than has previously been possible with traditional handheld controllers. Steam gamers, who are used to the input associated with PCs, will appreciate that the Steam Controller?s resolution approaches that of a desktop mouse.

http://store.steampowered.com/living...eamController/

[Hornet331]

and so much for the "leak"...

As for the controller... I don't know, layout is pretty standard, but touch pads... even when they say its a new generation I remain skeptical. Nothing can beat real feed back.

[El Mano]

I'll try it out. I use a thumb trackball on my second computer and I like it. I wouldn't pick it over a mouse when playing CS:GO but I can manage myself decently in RTS games.
I find this gamepad very exciting, I'll probably buy one.

[LordEC911]

4chan and especial /v/ as source... oh boy here we go...

Especially funny since Tajoh knows that an Anandtech Forum troll is claiming to have posted it.

Controller seems nice, if they can sell it for <$40 I'm interested.

[tajoh111]

Especially funny since Tajoh knows that an Anandtech Forum troll is claiming to have posted it.

Controller seems nice, if they can sell it for <$40 I'm interested.

Anandtechs is the last forum I would visit, never go there so I don't know who the trolls are except rollo who I believed got banned from there. However, there has been other talks of the steambox using similar technology to shield for game streaming. Considering Nvidia usually isn't open about sharing technology for free, I could see them leveraging this technology to get into the steambox. The new found linux support from Nvidia seems they really want to get on the steambox.

[madcho]

any chance to see mantle on the steam box ?

[i found nemo]

hope this works out for the peeps who use & love linux for everyday boxes. could be a few years before "perfection" but still a worthy cause imo.

[Hoboclese]

from what ive read from some of the devs who played with the beta controller and how i understand the technology behind the trackpads to work, it should feel like you are moving something around with your thumbs. So the sensation of physical feedback will be there with the improved accuracy of a touchpad. I think that it uses fairly similar methods to production line technology for small parts feeding. Where a highly controlled vibration is induced into a surface to move small parts along the surface. And by controlling the waveform of the vibration you can change the speed and direction of the parts

[bill_d]

[NEOAethyr]

I don't much care for the design of the controller.
Seems like like it could work alright for movement but everything else, say fighting games or really anything it doesn't seem to me like its a good design.

The main buttons are like in the middle of the controller.
I see alot of people on the net say give it a chance, learn to evolve, and etc.
But I don't think its about that, I just think its not really functional :\.

Just think about it, how much of a pain in the butt is it to use with the games you play?
Plus I think it might be a little sloppy on the movement part, you try to do a special move in a fighting game and screws up everytime, that's what I'm thinking..

Regardless I'm all for the idea's if it gets linux in the gaming arena.
I hate steam, and I don't really like the controller, but still ^^ :O .


And btw that is one goofy messed up comic thingy posted above...

[LordEC911]

All I hear is- "It is new, it is different, I don't like it, I don't want to give it a chance."

[Sparky]

I have yet to see a controller that can beat a mouse for FPS.