Steam Machine is going to make SteamOS more popular, and devs should take notice. Kernel-level access is the biggest hurdle to overcome.

Steam Machine’s upcoming release means more people will be playing games on Linux, specifically SteamOS. The idea of ditching Windows for gaming is becoming more attractive, as the Steam Machine is first-party desktop-level hardware that’s optimized for Linux-based SteamOS. The biggest hurdle for Linux gamers right now is a lack of support for many anti-cheats – particular those that require kernel-level access. But with the release of the Machine, Valve hopes game devs take notice.

Steam Machine seems to getting the most attention out of Valve’s latest hardware launches. The Steam creators announced the new console-like mini PC alongside the Steam Frame VR headset and new Steam Controller. Even the Frame runs on SteamOS, which means Valve now has a trio of first-party hardware on Linux (including the Steam Deck handheld).

    • stray@pawb.social
      61·
      1 day ago

      The real reason I haven’t switched is because I know my partner will be annoying about it. We already had enough drama when I decided to try Duck Duck Go.

        • stray@pawb.social
          6·
          1 day ago

          I’ve tried explaining a few times, but I can’t manage it without massively oversharing or throwing him under the bus like I’m so pleasant to be around all the time. I’ll just say we’re a trauma and neurodivergence household and that odd things can be triggers.

            • dev_null@lemmy.ml
              2·
              1 day ago

              Sure, but having to deal with that could certainly be annoying to someone who just wants to use the computer that’s already turned on.

          • stray@pawb.social
            2·
            1 day ago

            Nah, we each have our own, but it matters because gaming together is really important to him, and also some other stuff I can’t really explain.

            • andz@lemmy.world
              11·
              21 hours ago

              If I didn’t know any better I’d think you were my partner, lol. We have had the exact same thing going on for years. I never even wanted to touch W11 but due to her wanting to play a specific type of game we both ended up with W11 desktops anyways. A lot more frustrating (won’t even get into that) and costly than it would ever have been otherwise. I’m very happy with Mint on my laptop otherwise for example, it plays the smaller games I prefer just fine.

              But time together is important, too. Even if that is just playing online with a small group of friends for an hour or two in the evenings it does mean so very much to everyone involved.