SteamOS

SteamOS is a Linux distribution that is based on Debian and developed by Valve. It will run mainly on the " Steam Machine " ( English for " steam engine " ) mentioned games consoles and also be on ordinary PCs free installable and usable.

Functions

SteamOS is primarily designed for computer games. However, only a part of the displaced from Valve games running under Linux. Steam games that only run on Windows and Mac can be streamed to SteamOS, and there are the same restrictions as for the Steam client apply for desktops, including the function, games to share with family members.

Valve claims that significant performance improvements in video games can be achieved with SteamOS. The operating system will be open to everyone for source code modifications as open source software. Built for SteamOS ( games ) computer, which are manufactured on the basis of standard PC parts, called Valve ' Steam Machines ".

With the included in SteamOS Package Management apt respectively. apt-get can install any Debian packages. So it is easily possible SteamOS like any other Linux distribution with applications such as Supplement LibreOffice, VLC or Samba and also to use as an office or multimedia or server platform.

History

At the LinuxCon announced Valves co-founder and Executive Director Gabe Newell that he was " on Linux and open source is the future of gaming " believe. Valve games would help developers with their games to make Linux compatible. On September 20, 2013 Valve created a website entitled The Steam universe is expanding in 2014, which promised three announcements that " customers should allow for even more ways to use Steam in the living room ." The first announcement was made on 23 September. Valve had come to the conclusion that a right could offer the best gaming experience in the operating system integrated Steam client. This will particularly placed on the openness in the sense of free software value, and it was announced that users could adapt, modify, and replace any part of the software. In the following days the Beta Test of Steam Machines and a new gamepad was announced.

In October 2013 Valve announced that Steam Dev Days, a two-day developer conference, will be at the game developers have the opportunity to test SteamOS and its follow-up game consoles and give Valve feedback. Also in October 2013, Nvidia announced close cooperation with respect to their GameWorks library with Valve, Nvidia PhysX technologies such as, OptiX, VisualFX and other under SteamOS will provide.

On December 11, 2013 Valve announced that the prototypes of the Steam Machines are sent on 13 December and SteamOS is simultaneously released for download.