While Linux fans will say that next year is finally the year of Linux, it seems that Valve is really hoping that next year, truly is the year of Linux. The company has not been shy about bashing Windows 8 in favor Linux and now they are getting even more aggressive with their tactics.
At a presentation at a Ubuntu developer summit in Denmark, Drew Bliss, an employee of Valve, stated that Linux is more viable than Windows 8 for gaming, according to Ubuntuvibes.com. Bliss is quoted as saying the following too:
- Steam client is running nicely on Ubuntu and many developers have approached them with good game products.
- Cooperation with Canonical has been good.
- Ubuntu is preferred platform as it has a large user base and good community support with a strong company like Canonical behind it.
- Linux has everything they need: good OpenGL, pulseaudio, OpenAL and input support.
- New Source engine games will be available for Linux.
- No firm time frame for Steam Linux release, but soon.
- Copy protection is up to the game publishers.
The strong words against Microsoft are surely because of the Windows Store which Valve feels is a threat to their own Steam client. While the long term effect of Windows 8 and the open nature of Windows will not be known for some time, Valve certainly feels that it is a step in the wrong direction.
It will be interesting to see if Valve can move consumers to Linux as Steam has a very loyal fanbase but at the same time, Ubuntu is not nearly as polished as Windows 7 or Windows 8.
Source: UbuntuVibes.com