- Proton 4.11 released, kernel packages available for testing - 30 July 2019
Today we are releasing the first build of Proton 4.11, based on Wine 4.11. Among the usual variety of functional fixes, as well as a new Vulkan-based D3D9 implementation, it also includes a significant amount of work on reducing CPU overhead for multithreaded games. We observed the following performance gains when forcing a CPU-bound scenario on a high-end machine by reducing graphics details to a minimum: https://cdn.steampulse.org/steam/asset?u=https%3A%2F%2Fsteamcdn-a.akamaihd.net%2Fsteamcommunity%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fclans%2F4178173%2F4c840b74669424608d37933c9b6607d8448d1621.png We expect such gains to be reproducible on more realistic settings with a lower-end machine. It also includes an experimental replacement for esync. Last year, as we were ramping up Proton development, we identified several blocking performance issues with multithreaded games. CodeWeavers then worked on developing the esync patchset to address them. While we think th…
- Help us test ACO, a new Mesa shader compiler for AMD graphics! - 3 July 2019
Back in late 2016, we started sponsoring the work of open-source graphics driver engineers, creating the foundation for the Valve open-source graphics group. By leveraging the open development model of the Mesa driver codebase, we were able to provide direct support for Steam and its functionality to Intel and AMD graphics users. At the time, we got a ton of help from the community; folks rallied together and produced a very valuable list of games that didn't work on Mesa, as well as many other bugs affecting Steam games. So far, that project has been very successful: through the combined efforts of all parties working on Mesa, we think the user experience when playing high-end Steam games has greatly improved over the past few years. The team has since continued to grow over time; earlier last year, we were able to take a step back and think about larger development efforts, rather tha…
- Introducing a new version of Steam Play - 21 August 2018
In 2010, we announced Steam Play: a way for Steam users to access Windows, Mac and Linux versions of Steam games with a single purchase. More than 3000 of the games that have been added to Steam after that point have included Linux support, with more titles being added every day. Since then, we've continued to look for ways to make more titles easily accessible to Linux users. So, two years ago, we started an effort to improve the quality and performance of Windows compatibility solutions for Steam games. A lot of our work has been in the form of supporting Wine and other existing compatibility projects. We have also been integrating these tools into the Steam client to provide the same simple plug-and-play experience offered by regular Linux games. Our goal for this work is to let Linux Steam users enjoy easy access to a larger back catalog. We think it will also allow future developer…
- Platform-specific wishlisting - 6 December 2017
We have made changes to the wishlist aiming to improve developers' visibility of any interest in their title coming from Steam users playing on platforms they're not currently targeting. If a user only has one platform filter selected in their Steam store preferences, adding a game to their wishlist will result in it being specially reported to the developer in a new platform-specific breakdown of the wishlist report: If you want to signal your interest in a given title becoming available for your platform of choice, just make sure your store preferences are set appropriately and wishlist away!
- Dreamfall Chapters goes episodic with Book One coming this fall - 1 July 2014
Dreamfall Chapters is going in a slightly different direction for its upcoming release. Originally slated as a standalone release, the Kickstarter-funded project will now be released as an episodic series, with developer Red Thread Games releasing a new trailer for the first installment.
- Portal 2 Beta for Linux released - 25 February 2014
We have just made Portal 2 available in Beta form on Linux; to access it, you need to opt into the Beta from the Portal 2 properties in your Steam Library. We look forward to your feedback; head to our dedicated tracker to report issues and look at know issues: https://github.com/ValveSoftware/portal2/issues
- Dreamfall Chapters 27-minute walkthrough shows off dialogue system - 20 December 2013
It's been nine months since Dreamfall Chapters: The Longest Journey smashed its crowdfunding goal (though over six years since the very first plans ), and we have another eleven until it arrives in November 2014. So how's it looking at this point? Pretty good, it seems, going by a new 27-minute gameplay walkthrough narrated by creator Ragnar T rnquist and design director Martin Bruusgaard. The video shows off the first half of the adventure game's second chapter from a pre-alpha build, which sees returning Dreamfall character Kian Alvane in prison, sentenced to death.
- IndieCade 2013 Award Winners - 31 October 2013
IndieCade 2013 featured 36 award finalists , with the event's winners announced on Thursday evening. The event also announced three more winners (Audience Choice, Media Choice, and Developer's Choice) during Sunday evening's closing ceremonies. The big winner was Quadrilateral Cowboy from Blendo Games, which won IndieCade's Grand Jury Award. This top prize is decided by a panel of jurors who recognize a specific game for overall excellence. Other winners include Nevernaut Games' 2v2 capture the flag game SlashDash taking the Audience Choice Award, Matt Thorson's TowerFall winning the Media Choice Award, and the 5-on-5 arcade cabinet Joust homage Killer Queen taking Developer's Choice honors.
- Gone Home gets free commentary mode, 50% off sale - 23 October 2013
Gone Home has gotten critical praise and awards , but what does it all mean? A free update may provide some answers, by providing a commentary track from many of the game's key creative forces.
- The Fullbright Company's Steve Gaynor reflects on Gone Home - 17 September 2013
The Fullbright Company captivated players with a unique take on first-person exploration in its first indie title, Gone Home . With its irreverent take on horror tropes, an engaging setting, and an unforgettable narrative, Gone Home left a lasting impression on many players, myself included. It's been a year since Shacknews last spoke to Steve Gaynor from The Fullbright Company, but now seemed like a good time to reach out to him. And while Fullbright remains on a tight schedule, Gaynor did make some time to answer a handful of questions, including a few from our Chatty. Be forewarned, the following will contain light spoilers for Gone Home.
- Counter-Strike: Condition Zero Beta released - 21 February 2013
We have made Counter-Strike: Condition Zero available in Beta form on Linux, just go to your library list and double click the game to install.
- Steam for Linux Now Available - 15 February 2013
The Steam client is now available to download for free from the Ubuntu Software Center. Ubuntu is the most popular distribution of Linux used by millions of people globally and known for its well-designed, easy-to-use customer experience. “The introduction of Steam to Ubuntu demonstrates growing demand for open systems from gamers and game developers,” said David Pitkin, Director of Consumer Applications at Canonical. “We expect a growing number of game developers to include Ubuntu among their target platforms. We’re looking forward to seeing AAA games developed with Ubuntu in mind as part of a multi-platform day and date release on Steam.” “We’re huge fans of Linux. It’s like the indie OS–a perfect home for our indie game,” said Alen Ladavac, CTO of Croteam, creator of the Serious Sam franchise of games. “And who better to lead the charge into Linux gaming than Valve? With Steam distri…
- Steam for Linux Now Available - 14 February 2013
Best experienced on Ubuntu Feb 14, 2013–Valve, creators of best-selling game franchises (such as Counter-Strike and Team Fortress) and leading technologies (such as Steam and Source), today announced the release of its Steam for Linux client. In celebration of the release, over 50 Linux titles are now 50-75% off until Thursday, February 21st at 10 AM PST. The Steam client is now available to download for free from the Ubuntu Software Center. Ubuntu is the most popular distribution of Linux used by millions of people globally and known for its well-designed, easy-to-use customer experience. “The introduction of Steam to Ubuntu demonstrates growing demand for open systems from gamers and game developers,” said David Pitkin, Director of Consumer Applications at Canonical. “We expect a growing number of game developers to include Ubuntu among their target platforms. We&#…
- Half-Life 1 and Counter-Strike 1.6 updates - 29 January 2013
If you would like to follow details on the updates we are doing to these games, please head over to the Half-Life 1 Game Hub .
- Half-Life 1 and Counter-Strike 1.6 updated - 28 January 2013
We have released an update for both games, fixes include: * Fixed server browser favorites not being added or able to be deleted ;* Fixed clipboard not pasting enough characters under OSX and LINUX ;* Fixed window title not matching the game you are launching ;* Switched to using key scan code to better support alternate keyboard layouts ;* Fixed double-click not working in the server browser ;* Fixed keypad enter not submitting a console command
- Counter-Strike 1.6 Beta released - 25 January 2013
Hot on the heels of Half-Life 1, Counter-Strike 1.6 is now available as a Beta for your testing pleasure on Linux (and OS X).
- Half-Life 1 Beta released for Linux - 25 January 2013
We have released Half-Life 1 in Beta form on Linux (and OS X). Please report any issues you see on our github issues page.
- Steam for Linux Client Updated - 8 January 2013
For a list of changes, see this thread.
- Steam for Linux Beta Now Available to All - 20 December 2012
The Steam for Linux beta client is now available to all Steam users, so if you've been patiently waiting for an invitation to join us, consider yourself officially invited ! With a growing catalog of Linux-supported games , an active Steam for Linux community group , and a new GitHub bug reporting repository, the timing’s right to jump in and share your feedback.
- An Early Holiday Gift! - 20 December 2012
The Steam for Linux beta program is now open to the public! In order to participate in the beta, you must download the latest Steam Linux client (found here) or upgrade your existing Steam for Linux client to the latest version. In addition, we will now track Steam for Linux client bugs using GitHub. This provides a better interface for tracking bugs than the forums used in the closed beta. The Steam for Linux repository (currently empty) is public, allowing anyone with a free GitHub account to create a new issue and edit or track it and search the existing bug database. The repository contains a readme file (README.md) detailing how to create a new issue (it describes the same format used in the closed beta). The team will continue working through existing issues in the forum but it is strongly recommended that any new issues be entered using GitHub's issue tracking interface. The sub…
