Is Linux Gaming the Next Big Thing?

Since the announcement of the SteamOS, a Linux-based operating system from Valve last year, many have wondered: will Linux be the next big thing?

Valve isn’t attempting to dip into the waters of the living room–they’re diving right in on Nintendo’s, Microsoft’s and Sony’s territory. The Steam Machine is a Linux-based PC-style console to play games on, but will it triumph?

Will game developers be on board?

Steam does maintain games online with Linux support, and with the promotion of Steam Greenlight, more Linux games will see the spotlight.

 Linux Games Available Now:

• Europa Universalis IV
• Crusaders Kings II
• Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs
• Democracy 3
• Legend of Grimrock
• Castle Story
• Trine 2
• Left 4 Dead 2
• Wizardry 6 and 7
• Jazzpunk
• Surgeon Simulator 2013
• Kerbal Space Program
• Prison Architect
• Metro: Last Light
• Plus many more

The only games I’ve seen so far worth playing are DOTA 2, Portal, Half-Life 2, Don’t Starve, perhaps Super Meat Boy and Octodad: Dadliest Catch.

What about games like Tomb Raider, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, BioShock Infinite, Dark Souls II, or Watch Dogs? None of these games are available on Linux. For any chance of Linux gaming being big on the market, they’ll need a stable of developers creating games natively for Linux; or at least providing cross-platform functionality. I just don’t see that happening on a massive scale any time soon. 

However, Linux’s powerful benefits make it a great option for PC gamers. The networking power of GNU/Linux fits better than any other OS for two reasons: improved power consumption that benefit laptops, desktops, and servers by having dynamic power management that works really well on the embedded influence over the desktop and server hardware; and VFS scalability patches. 

Linux is a tad complex and has limited support, so it’s always been limited to PC enthusiasts, programmers and hardcore types. Thanks to the launch of the horrific Windows 8, Valve’s Gabe Newell has made no secret of his distaste for the OS and why pushing for Linux is a focus for Valve.

“The big problem that is holding back Linux is games. People don’t realize how critical games are in driving consumer purchasing behavior.”

“We want to make it as easy as possible for the 2,500 games on Steam to run on Linux as well. It’s a hedging strategy. I think Windows 8 is a catastrophe for everyone in the PC space,” said Valve Co-Founder Gabe Newell. “I think we’ll lose some of the top-tier PC/OEMs, who will exit the market. I think margins will be destroyed for a bunch of people. If that’s true, then it will be good to have alternatives to hedge against that eventuality.”

I honestly believe if anyone can help transition gaming with Linux, it’ll be Valve. They did wonders for the gaming community with Steam and they continue to do so now with the Steam Greenlight. Who knows what we’ll be looking at in the near future at the rate they’re going–but one thing I can say, it’s promising.

What are your thoughts on Linux Gaming being the next big thing? Let us know in the comments.

Some fun facts about Linux:

• Dual OS
• No need to ever reboot
• Processing speed remains intact
• You can customize Linux
• All Hardware is supported
• Easy software installation
• Files are maintained by timestamp
• Security is out of this world
• It’s cheap and programs like Open Office (similar to Microsoft Word) is free
• Ubuntu (a Linux-based OS) is free to download and used on a multitude of devices, including servers.