I've had a very enjoyable conversation this morning about Linux, and specifically Linux Gaming. From my perspective this is now absolutely on par with the Windows gaming experience but of course that opinion isn't universal.
I apparently did enough to convince the chap I was talking to to give it a try, prompting me to have an immediate crisis of confidence that someone was actually listening to me on the internet and omg what if I've over-sold it?!? 🤣 I run a Gaming Distro: it's entirely possible I've lucked into this experience with my choice to run it because of things the distro maintainers have set up for me.
But I have faith in Proton. Proton / a.k.a Steam Play is a genuine Miracle for Linux.
When Valve launched Proton in [stresses memory] 2018? 17? it suddenly and gloriously catapulted Linux from an awkward, arcane and painful third place in terms of Personal Computer platform game compatibility all the way up to parity with Windows. ProtonDB now lists 20'000+ previously Windows-only games that at least one person has reported works for them on Linux (Many other games could work that just don't have reports yet). ProtonDb, a volunteer-run website, is also fabulous as it grades compatibility. Platinum for Works out of the Box, Gold for Works with Tweaks/Tinkering, Silver for works but with larger issues, Bronze for Doesn't work.
The Steam Deck (which runs on Steam OS, a Linux distribution) couldn't have launched without proton. The Deck is also having a hugely positive effect on Linux Gaming.
You want proof of how good the situation is? Here's a WINDOWS-FOCUSED website extolling Proton's virtues.
Top Tip: if default Proton doesn't work you have two options in Steam: the Experimental version, basically the upstream beta, or there's the 'Glorious Eggroll' [GE] version, created by a single person, that includes fixes for some games that Valve haven't officially included.
If yon chap has anything near the wonderful time I've had playing games from my Steam and GOG libraries on Linux this last year, I'm sure he'll be fine and I'll have avoided a reputation for being all mouth and no trousers. 🙂
Stück für Stück die Kiste mit den fragwürdigen Röhren abarbeiten. Von 3 Stück EM11 Magischen Auge funktioniert noch eine. Die fette EL519 ist ebenfalls mausetot. Ihr sieht man es aber auch an. Warum bewahrt man kaputte Röhren auf?! #basteln#röhren#tube#valve
I find programs / applications that assume all storage is an SSD so infuriating, especially when it is blatent laziness or extremely uneseccary.
For instance, #dota only starts loading character models once you enter a lobby. If you use a harddrive you will be kicked (abandon) for inactivity before your screen unfreezes from loading assets... #valve the only way to solve this is to play a match against bots first
I've always wondered if #Valve collects shader caches from players on the #SteamDeck for the shader cache updates we get for each game, or if it's "generated" in-house from their own internal playthrough/testing?
Confirmado.
No juguéis a nada que use #EasyAnticheat a menos que podáis deshabilitarlo y jugar por LAN como hicimos nosotros en #EldenRing.
Easy Anti-Cheat (en declive desde que fue comprado por #EpicGames) ha sido demostrado como vulnerable a ejecución de código remoto durante el último torneo de #ApexLegends, que ha quedado suspendido. Esto implica que se puede instalar #malware sin vuestro consentimiento al estar jugando en una partida "protegida" por Easy Anti-Cheat.
The #SteamDeck's existence has prompted other big brands to also churn out their Deck competitors like #ASUS' #ROGAlly, #MSI's #MSIClaw, #Lenovo's #LegionGo, etc. which is great bcos competition is always nice.
... but unfortunately, to my eyes and only my own, there really isn't any competitor to my Deck and it's not bcos of #Linux/#SteamOS which yes, I do absolutely require out of a #gaming handheld (definitely not #Windows, no), but it's all about the design. Blows my mind how the Steam Deck is still the ONLY gaming handheld that doesn't scream (not as loud at least) "I'm a boy" or "I'm a gamer".
The obnoxious logos and branding (MSI's even has "TRUE GAMER" etched on their handheld lmao), the RGB vomit everywhere on the handheld wasting the already very precious battery life and weight of the device, the "rough" edges and curves (or lack thereof) of the device that screams "gamery"... and more. The design of the Steam Deck is still not only the most ergonomic imo, but most importantly the stealthiest of them all. I despise obnoxious designs and I appreciate #Valve's decision not to participate in that mess. I just wish and hope that future Decks would come in more colourways.
Did anyone else notice that SteamOS began to record playtime for non-Steam games recently, or is this something that came with one of my Decky :steamdeck: Steam Deck plugins?
PC desktop setups vary almost as much as there are users..
◉Steam Deck's smooth success & support is largely based on the fact its users have 100% known hardware on their hands
◉Could it be that Valve brings Steam OS for desktop via some sort of "Steam OS Verified Hardware" solution?
◉Ones PC scanned during installation / given a rating?