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[ThatObviousUser]

They REALLY need to add the Linux executables for the Humble Bundle games. I know I can get them through the Software Center and add them manually but obviously that isn't the same.

Anyways, playing World of Goo, Trine 2, and Amnesia natively through Steam on Linux.

 

[zoku88]

I can't wait until the release.

Precisely because of this (my GOTY):

http://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum/showthread.php?653474-OS-X-and-GNU-Linux-support

 

[ThatObviousUser]

A beta version of Half Life 1 is now available. :O

 

[JaseC]

A beta version of Half Life 1 is now available. :O

Yep. You can get the beta of CS 1.6 running, too, although its addition seems to be a mistake as it only shows up under "All Games" and lacks server connectivity.

 

[MrCunningham]

For anyone who is interested, X3 Reunion is now up on Steam for Linux. It isn't officially listed yet, but it's playable.

 

[Deleted member 17706]

Never messed around with Linux, but I'm suddenly intrigued and am interested in dabbling in it this weekend.

Is there good guide out there for complete newbies? I'd probably be interested in installing the most common variant, and the one supported most by Steam, so Ubuntu?

I want to be able to run it alongside Windows 7 on my desktop.

 

[maharg]

Never messed around with Linux, but I'm suddenly intrigued and am interested in dabbling in it this weekend.

Is there good guide out there for complete newbies? I'd probably be interested in installing the most common variant, and the one supported most by Steam, so Ubuntu?

I want to be able to run it alongside Windows 7 on my desktop.

You should probably install Ubuntu 12.10. Depending on your hardware it'll probably far easier than you think it will be (my last few fresh installs of ubuntu have been smoother and less problematic than my last few fresh installs of windows. Seriously.)

If you're skittish, though, you can actually run it from a usb stick to try it out.

 

[ThatObviousUser]

Never messed around with Linux, but I'm suddenly intrigued and am interested in dabbling in it this weekend.

Is there good guide out there for complete newbies? I'd probably be interested in installing the most common variant, and the one supported most by Steam, so Ubuntu?

I want to be able to run it alongside Windows 7 on my desktop.

Use the Windows installer, it allows you to manage/uninstall Ubuntu from the Control Panel in Windows.

Modern distributions of Linux are fairly straight forward and well rounded, barring the odd driver issue.

First thing you should do after installing is install Gnome Shell from the Ubuntu Software Center (basically the app store.) Then select the little Gnome foot icon on the login screen. After you do this you'll have the best Linux experience available.

 

[MrCunningham]

Never messed around with Linux, but I'm suddenly intrigued and am interested in dabbling in it this weekend.

Is there good guide out there for complete newbies? I'd probably be interested in installing the most common variant, and the one supported most by Steam, so Ubuntu?

I want to be able to run it alongside Windows 7 on my desktop.

Ubuntu or Mint are the two most popular newb friendly distros to install at the moment, unless I am missing something.

Either one should be fine for running the Steam client on. To be honest, there really isn't much documentation needed to install either distro. Just read the websites for installation instructions. You can burn the ISO to a DVD and run it from the live CD without any installation necessary if you want to test out linux. From the live CD mode there is a pretty simple installation wizard if you do want to install it on your PC. There should be the option create a new partition and dual boot it right along side windows if you have the harddrive space to do so.

You can also install either distro right inside of Windows (like a program) by running the installer on windows either disc. This is another good way to test it out without having to partition anything. Of course it's a quite bit slower since you are running it inside of windows.

 

[FireRises]

I finally got around to installing TF2 and I'm thoroughly impressed. It looks and runs great... the future is going to be exciting

I also think when the steambox finally launches, it'll help developers consider porting to linux, which is just awesome.

 

[MrCunningham]

Counter-Strike Source was just released for Linux:

 

[ThatObviousUser]

Valve co-founder Gabe Newell: Linux is a “get-out-of-jail free pass for our industry”

 

[ThatObviousUser]

Also, Linux version of Bastion was finally added:

Add more Humble Bundle games Valve plz.

 

[Grayman]

Valve co-founder Gabe Newell: Linux is a “get-out-of-jail free pass for our industry”

I always thought of it as a lifeboat but the out of jail pass works too

 

[jediyoshi]

Never gonna touch it, but neat of them to finally pull through with
Makes me more curious as to how this'd affect other markets, esp when dota2 is released

 

[Vash63]

I'm still so happy to have a native version of Steam working... but CS:GO and DOTA2 need to get ported, quick! I could understand that their bug tracker has some backlog so they're probably going through it... but the majority of the bugs aren't showstoppers. Pretty much all of the bugs I get can be avoided by simply using KDE or XFCE instead of Gnome-Shell.

Long term they should fix that, but I just want more games!

 

[rockmanjoe]

Finally gave the Linux port of TF2 a shot. Framerates seem to fluctuate a lot on my setup, probably due to AMD drivers (using propietary 13.1 drivers on a 7850 card). My wireless usb adapter seems to run slower as well, which gives me higher pings. (using Mint 14) Aside from that, it ran fine and looked great.

So happy that Steam is out on Linux. Can't wait to try out Crusader Kings 2.

 

[lmpaler]

Have you tried it on a new version of Wine? According the Wine database, it's working extremely well. And I can say from experience that the Windows version of Steam works great on Wine too. iirc there's a special winetricks install command for installing Steam, you don't want to do it manually.

I have been so tempted to try Linux and Wine, but for years I have heard how much of performance hit you take and some games just don't work.

How are more modern games fairing, Skyrim, Far Cry etc.?

 

[HolyBaikal]

It's a step in the right direction, that's for sure. For what little games compatible with Linux exist already.

I assume this means I can simply find Steam on the synaptic or sudo apt-get install Steam? I used to have to go through Wine to install Linux on Steam and it was obnoxious.

 

[War Machine]

It's 2013 and I had to "downgrade" my graphics card from a Radeon 4850 to a 6670 so I can play Source games. I wanted to go Nvidia but this card was 80 bucks less than the 550 Ti.

Is there a general Linux gaming thread?

 

[TheNatural]

It's 2013 and I had to "downgrade" my graphics card from a Radeon 4850 to a 6670 so I can play Source games. I wanted to go Nvidia but this card was 80 bucks less than the 550 Ti.

Is there a general Linux gaming thread?

No, but it could use one. I switched to Linux, and am planning on keeping it permanently, and within the next couple months Linux usership should pass Mac on Steam. All the Valve games should be up on Linux within the next few months, and many indie games are already on it, with many more continuing to add on.

I don't expect it to be a viable alternative anytime soon to those who want a heavy dose of console/PC crossover games, but it's starting to gain steam. Pun intended.

Your best bet for quick updates on games available or coming soon is the linux gaming reddit:

http://www.reddit.com/r/linux_gaming

It's the most active community I can find. http://www.gamingonlinux.com/ is a good site as well.

Looks like Valve has added Half-Life 2 Deathmatch and Day of Defeat/DOD Source to beta.

 

[Mario]

We soft launched Shatter for Linux on Steam today

http://store.steampowered.com/app/20820/

If you picked up the Humble Bundle with Shatter in it, the Steam Linux version should now be available via Steam using the already supplied key.

 

[Master Milk]

Since this thread popped up, Skullgirls is supposed to be getting a Linux port somewhere down the line. No real details about it except that it's coming.

 

[zoku88]

We soft launched Shatter for Linux on Steam today

http://store.steampowered.com/app/20820/

If you picked up the Humble Bundle with Shatter in it, the Steam Linux version should now be available via Steam using the already supplied key.

Cool. I got Shatter (twice, actually. Once for PS3 and again in the Humble Bundle), but I haven't gotten much chance to play it...

Hope to play it a lot more

Since this thread popped up, Skullgirls is supposed to be getting a Linux port somewhere down the line. No real details about it except that it's coming.

I thought you were just saying a rumour, but wow:

https://twitter.com/Skullgirls/status/312431724871180290

Might deserve it's own thread.

 

[angular graphics]

Valve Publishes Packages For Their Linux Distribution: http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=news_item&px=MTM0MDc

Found within the package pool are experimental NVIDIA Linux graphics drivers, a Plymouth boot splash screen for Steam, and Valve wallpapers. There's also the Steam Linux client binary already offered to Linux gamers. A "steam-autoupdate" package is also present, which all it does is drop in a daily cron job of running the apt-get upgrade process in an automated manner.

 

[maharg]

A "steam-autoupdate" package is also present, which all it does is drop in a daily cron job of running the apt-get upgrade process in an automated manner.

Ugh why.

 

[ThatObviousUser]

Hopefully that'll be a setting.

 

[BOTEC]

I just installed Ubuntu and Steam last night. Was hoping settling on an "official" distro, and tailoring the binary to support it would make it a smooth experience. Nope. Linux gaming; still janky as fuck.

 

[alexandros]

So it seems reasonable to assume that the Steambox will probably be Nvidia-based.

 

[pants]

I just installed Ubuntu and Steam last night. Was hoping settling on an "official" distro, and tailoring the binary to support it would make it a smooth experience. Nope. Linux gaming; still janky as fuck.

What issues did you have mate?

 

[ThatObviousUser]

So it seems reasonable to assume that the Steambox will probably be Nvidia-based.

If they want it to actually work, yes.

 

[maharg]

So it seems reasonable to assume that the Steambox will probably be Nvidia-based.

nVidia's been kind of shitting the bed with their linux drivers for a while now, imo. I wonder if these beta drivers are better.

I kinda wish Intel would get into discrete. Their drivers for linux are fantastic.

 

[Cheeto]

nVidia's been kind of shitting the bed with their linux drivers for a while now, imo. I wonder if these beta drivers are better.

And while shitting the bed still doing better than AMD's offerings...

 

[ThatObviousUser]

And while shitting the bed still doing better than AMD's offerings...

AMD's shitting their coffin.

 

[BOTEC]

So it seems reasonable to assume that the Steambox will probably be Nvidia-based.

This probably explains why I had a hard time. I have an ATI GPU installed.

What issues did you have mate?

The Steam client install failed because of an unresolved dependency (cURL, you really ship Linux without cURL installed Canonical?), which wasn't mentioned anywhere on Valve's website. After an hour of updating Ubuntu to the latest package versions and hoping that would resolve the issue (since I can't seem to just grab a single package out of the repository for some reason?), the client installed fine, but now I can't get any of the bootleg proprietary ATI drivers to load properly enough so that the dialog box doesn't keep popping up whenever I start Steam.

Most of my issues are frankly related to how companies like ATI/Nvidia, and Valve approach Linux, a closed source style, instead of the open source mentality of most Linux devs. Open up your source, and let the community fix your shit for you.
</end old man Linux rant>

 

[KurowaSan]

nVidia's been kind of shitting the bed with their linux drivers for a while now, imo. I wonder if these beta drivers are better.

I kinda wish Intel would get into discrete. Their drivers for linux are fantastic.

It's the nvidia-experimental precise package found in the ubuntu repo, nothing new. And yeah, I wish Intel did that, I've been an ati and nvidia linux user and they're both a pain in the ass sometimes. Intel cards work like a charm.

 

[batteryLeakage]

Left 4 Dead 2 (aka the first Linux Source game) will be hitting Steam Linux sometime next week in beta form. I, for one, am excited.

http://www.l4d.com/blog/post.php?id=10451

 

[ComputerMKII]

Left 4 Dead 2 (aka the first Linux Source game) will be hitting Steam Linux sometime next week in beta form. I, for one, am excited.

http://www.l4d.com/blog/post.php?id=10451

YES.

 

[batteryLeakage]

Because I haven't seen it posted in this thread, check out the Steam Database periodically for hints on games that are planning Linux support. Also, this site.

Also, Hotline Miami is planned for Linux in May. https://twitter.com/HotlineMiami/status/327477670193545216

 

[thefil]

Left 4 Dead 2 (aka the first Linux Source game) will be hitting Steam Linux sometime next week in beta form. I, for one, am excited.

http://www.l4d.com/blog/post.php?id=10451

..?

Team Fortress 2..?

 

[batteryLeakage]

..?

Team Fortress 2..?

L4D2 was the first Linux game announced by Valve. I'm not sure Valve ever said that it would be the first one released, but its definitely what most people were expecting.

 

[Vagabundo]

Nice .

 

[Rolf NB]

Legend of Grimrock prz. I'm not interested in Ubunto SSO, but I do have a Steam account waiting and ready for this.

 

[Bomber Bob]

So it seems reasonable to assume that the Steambox will probably be Nvidia-based.

 

[Rolf NB]

Torvalds wants open source drivers and enough hardware specifics publicized so the community can maintain them. From his perspective, it's entirely clear why he is frustrated.

From an end-user perspective OTOH Nvidia is the no-brainer choice for accelerated 3D on Linux. The Nvidia binary drivers (OMG we can't see the source code!) are trivial to install, and to keep up to date on (X|K|U|L|<whatever>)buntu. Easier than on any version of Windows. And they work well.

Torvalds would probably tell you to prefer Intel, because they cooperate and the open-source drivers have become really solid. But that's a negligible advantage in practice, particularly in gaming, where Intel just can't hang performance-wise.

 

[batteryLeakage]

Legend of Grimrock prz. I'm not interested in Ubunto SSO, but I do have a Steam account waiting and ready for this.

I have to imagine it'll come eventually, along with all the Humble Bundle titles. Linux binaries exist already.

Although I guess its possible that many devs just have someone port the title quick-and-dirty just so that they can get in on the Humble Bundle and then proceed to not give a shit about their Linux users.

 

[Shambles]

Torvalds wants open source drivers and enough hardware specifics publicized so the community can maintain them. From his perspective, it's entirely clear why he is frustrated.

From an end-user perspective OTOH Nvidia is the no-brainer choice for accelerated 3D on Linux. The Nvidia binary drivers (OMG we can't see the source code!) are trivial to install, and to keep up to date on (X|K|U|L|<whatever>)buntu. Easier than on any version of Windows. And they work well.

Torvalds would probably tell you to prefer Intel, because they cooperate and the open-source drivers have become really solid. But that's a negligible advantage in practice, particularly in gaming, where Intel just can't hang performance-wise.

If spending half an hour trying and failing to get my GTX 670 working in Ubuntu is trivial I'd hate to see what the AMD experience is like.

 

[rockmanjoe]

If spending half an hour trying and failing to get my GTX 670 working in Ubuntu is trivial I'd hate to see what the AMD experience is like.

My Radeon 7850 works fine with the catalyst drivers on Mint. Hell, I found those drivers easier to install than Nvidia's.

 

[Rolf NB]

If spending half an hour trying and failing to get my GTX 670 working in Ubuntu is trivial I'd hate to see what the AMD experience is like.

There should be a "Additional drivers" thing in Applications => Settings, which will auto-detect any applicable third-party closed-source drivers and performs the download of the binaries from the vendor site, kernel module compilation and all the other difficult stuff automagically.
It's installed by default on Xubuntu and Kubuntu. I don't know where Unity puts it. But you can always do:
$ sudo apt-get install jockey-gtk nvidia-common
(or use your favourite package management GUI)
Then:
$ jockey-gtk

 

[batteryLeakage]

Portal just appeared in my Steam Linux library. Missing Executable right now, but it seems Portal Linux is imminent.