PC gaming comes to Ubuntu Linux with Steam client release
Summary: No longer a pipe-dream or a beta, the Steam gaming client is now available for Ubuntu. What was that about there not being any games for Linux?
Since the dawn of the Linux penguin there has been one constant user compliant: "Linux won't run my games!" Those days are now over. Today, February 14th, the Steam gaming client for Ubuntu Linux has arrived.
According to the Canonical blog, "users can now install the Steam Client with a few simple clicks in our Software Center, the fastest and safest way to install thousands of paid and free applications on Ubuntu. Canonical and Valve have worked closely together to make Ubuntu the best performing open platform for gaming and now the ultimate entertainment platform is fully supported."
If that wasn't big enough news for gamers, Steam is also putting every Ubuntu-enabled title on sale for 50-75% off until Monday, February 21 at 10:00am PST. Their initial game offering consists of 60 games including such popular titles as Half-Life, Counter-Strike and the free to play Team Fortress 2. For hardcore Linux fans, "as a launch giveaway and for the hardcore gamers who need every item in Team Fortress, for a limited time when you play Team Fortress 2 on Ubuntu you will get a Tux penguin item to keep or trade."
Valve Software has been working on bringing its Steam game engine to Ubuntu Linux since last summer. Eventually, Steam is expected to bring their own Ubuntu-Linux powered gaming console to market. This is expected to compete with other gaming consoles such as the Xbox, PS/3, and Wii.
Valve decided to bring Steam to the Ubuntu Linux distribution first because "working with a single distribution is critical when you are experimenting, as we are. It reduces the variability of the testing space and makes early iteration easier and faster. Secondly, Ubuntu is a popular distribution and has recognition with the general gaming and developer communities. This doesn’t mean that Ubuntu will be the only distribution we support. Based on the success of our efforts around Ubuntu, we will look at supporting other distributions in the future.”
At the same time, don't look for many more Steam-powered games on Windows 8. Valve president and co-founder, Gabe Newell, recently said, "Windows 8 is a catastrophe for everyone in the PC space."
In a statement, Valve said, "We welcome all the new Steam users who can now upgrade to Ubuntu. Steam Big Picture running on your Ubuntu computer connected to the living room TV is a great way to experience the future today. Canonical looks forward to the steady progress of games from all our partners on Ubuntu on the desktop and soon on the Ubuntu phone and tablet in due course."
The client, and the games are indeed available now. When you first download the client, you'll get a notice about a beta-installer, but just continue on. In addition, before you can play any game you'll need to download and install the latest version of Adobe Flash. Once this is done, you'll be ready to play.
Enjoy!
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Talkback
PC gaming comes to Ubuntu Linux with Steam client release
Steam is a closed-system joke
Not sure where you get that
You must not play PC games much.
Jealous Windoze fanbuis
The biggest, most powerful 1% in the whole wide western world.
The 1% that occupies the most space in their tiny 1% minds.
The 1% that brings them to their knees with the idiot savant Lovey Dovey as proof of that.
Lovey
I'm too cheap to buy Windows, Lovey.
Ah, ha! I thought so! :)
Windows does not have to be open sourced, but having Windows for free would be nice. Besides, I'm not paying for Windows.
Yes, you are paying for Windows.
Not if you build your own
Huh?
While it doesn't cost as much as you going out and buying an individual Windows license, it's still a cost factored in. Or do you think the OEMs give the Windows license out of the goodness of their hearts?
paranoid Nut Cases, UNITE
And if you buy the parts and build your own, just how is MS supposed to force a license in that arena?
Well, if you are a paranoid nut case, you'll find a way to claim MS can force Windows sales when people build their own, but you are a paranoid nut case.
Huh?
Linux comes with computers, Do ur home work first..
Exacly the reason why steam for linux will fail
So, make Windows 7 free to download or I'll stay with Kubuntu.
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Linux user are too cheap to pay for an OS, they will be too cheap to pay for a game too.
Pay Attention!
Plus there are the perpetual Linux driver issues.
Either way, Steam will be hosed by Windows 8. Microsoft wants all future games to be sold through the Microsoft app store, not private services like Steam. Building a Linux box is their only hope to retain their revenue stream from selling games.
No driver issues..
Worst MS fan ever..
That still won't help Linux adoption
RE: That still won't help Linux adoption
"Eventually, Steam is expected to bring their own Ubuntu-Linux powered gaming console to market. This is expected to compete with other gaming consoles such as the Xbox, PS/3, and Wii.
This has worked for UNIX and Android. Most OS X, iOS and Android users have no idea that they're running UNIX or Linux. This could end up being a moneymaker for Canonical, Ltd. in the consumer market.
As for GNU/Linux desktop adoption, we'll just have to wait and see ...