SteamOS announced - based on Linux

Valve has just announced SteamOS, a Linux-based operating system designed to run Steam games in the living room.

I'm betting there's a good chance the Node-webkit Linux export will work well on it - exciting stuff for those C2 developers working on larger, steam-worthy projects!

What do you guys think?

Eagerly waiting them to open storefront more like they've been hinting.

Though the steps they are taking towards this 'open source console' model is great! Really like this development, and these are always good news for construct 2 as well.

Valve intends to push out the current consoles or at least create a super strong presense and they are doing it smart and well

The problem with Steam OS, which I like the idea of. Is that it requires a dedicated PC box. Which I'm not keen on putting together and keeping upgraded. I don't actually like the PC. It collect dusts, poor construction, heat sings and numerous fans are a norm. A console is usually well made to handle long term operation without much or any maintenance.

So I don't like this until it handles the problem that PC make crappy consoles.... ie SteamBox.

However, what I really, really, really love about Steam and Steam OS. I looks like we can finally push out Windows as the primary gaming OS. It's really got to go. If Valve can manage the success of SteamOS. Then we will see a large shift in platform for game development.

Though I'm not really a big booster of Linux either :D.... but go steam go!?

Clicks "next page".

Clicks the "back button", ...goes to first screen.

Yeah I want them to make me an os.</sarcasm>

Cool deal! I had a feeling Gabn was going to be our new overlord! Long live Gaben!

My favorite part about all of this? I am not going to be forced into buying windows 8,9, or 10 for game development.

I sure hope they leave it open so we can install Compiz and other desktop goodies. I much prefer to work on a Linux box.

I'm not sure what to think about this. I'm much too Windows reliant to switch over to Linux based alternatives (in a lot of cases there aren't any alternatives), so from an OS standpoint, it kinda falls flat on me.

However, the part that interests me is the focus on Streaming games from another computer to the SteamOS machine. I think that is where it will shine. Because when they released Big Picture, it was largely pointless. For the average gamer, they'd just play on the PC anyway and didn't need it, and for the people with mediacenter computers and such, those machines typically aren't strong enough to play a lot of the games on. This could change that and could also maybe get some more multiplayer games to steam that aren't strictly fps'es or coop based games or what-have-you.

Like with most things, we won't know until it's released proper, and I'll reserve judgment of it until I've poked at it.

More news today about the SteamOS and the SteamBox hardware.

It's going to be a Steam-Console, not an alternative main OS but a TV box Multimedia Console OS. I doubt it'll have much in the terms of actual office use but it's linux so people can make packages for it. But it's focus is being a console.

One thing is while Linux will run Node-Webkit, what about web based games? Steam currently uses a lackluster implimentation of Webkit at the moment, and if they do the same on the console it will make it so you can't play your game on the steambox without node-webkit export.

What I would like is to see if Scirra could contact Valve about HTML5 compatibility withing Steam and the SteamOS. If they can do that maybe they can also ask them about a Workshop-Arcade for games if they have not already Shouldn't be as complicated as workshop-plugin repository I hope.

Also another interesting thing to consider: Streaming Construct 2 from PC to SteamOS Box. Do you think that SteamOS would support that kind of streaming?

Thndr I very much doubt Steam will even want web/non-steam games being played on their OS - it's called 'SteamOS' for a reason.

Regarding streaming of C2, I don't see why not - you'll need to have a mouse and keyboard though.

It's going to be a Steam-Console, not an alternative main OS but a TV box Multimedia Console OS. I doubt it'll have much in the terms of actual office use but it's linux so people can make packages for it. But it's focus is being a console.

Also another interesting thing to consider: Streaming Construct 2 from PC to SteamOS Box. Do you think that SteamOS would support that kind of streaming?

FAQ says boxes will be easy to hack / mod / install stuff, etc

The FAQ also says that you'll be able to download the OS freely. It's not going to be exclusive to the Steam Machines.

I have a feeling there will be an explosion like any linux other distro at first.

I also have a feeling they will not be starting from scratch, I would be willing to bet they are going to base it off Debian or Gentoo.

If this is the case there will be thousands of applications ready for use on day 1 from the parent distros repository.

This might even turn out to be Valvebuntu, a remastered Ubuntu.

They take ubuntu, add and remove a few apps, Change artwork and icons, and roll up an ISO.

The advantage to using a pre-existing distro is that they will not have to re-invent the wheel for a lot of things.

If Nvidia is willing to play ball with AMD and use Mantle, that could further help SteamOS get stable footing.

But still, the biggest hurdle for it, the way I see it, is still gonna be the Windows only titles on Steam. How will that be handled? Emulation? Something else? I don't think it's something they can, or should, ignore.

If Nvidia is willing to play ball with AMD and use Mantle, that could further help SteamOS get stable footing.

But still, the biggest hurdle for it, the way I see it, is still gonna be the Windows only titles on Steam. How will that be handled? Emulation? Something else? I don't think it's something they can, or should, ignore. Streaming. It says so in the thing about SteamOS

Thndr I very much doubt Steam will even want web/non-steam games being played on their OS - it's called 'SteamOS' for a reason.The issue is it's a PC and even the WiiU has it's native browser support HTML5.

Steam itself should be using a more fully featured webkit implimentation for the client on PCs. SteamOS could just allow easy integration of your browser of choice, but I doubt it and it'll have at least their implimentation of webkit.

Even if it is called "SteamOS" It's linux and they said people can do whatever they want on it. However the streaming non-steam games thing may not be a thing, but it depends on how they are streaming Windows games to SteamOS. I doubt steam will limit you to your own steam library due to the fact that it's MUCH more useful to be open about things. And Valve is pretty damn open.

Streaming. It says so in the thing about SteamOS

Aware of it, read my first post in the thread for my thoughts about it.

I'm at a loss of words for this... just... wat?

http://store.steampowered.com/livingroom/SteamController/

<img src="http://cdn3.store.steampowered.com/public/images/promo/livingroom/rljKewyz3M/controller.jpg" border="0">