Steam Coming to Linux

Quote from toolio20 : You really don't think legitimate gaming (beyond Armagetron) on an open and no-cost OS is somehow not a threat to Microsoft's core business model? Every user on Linux - be it OSX or Mint or what have you - takes money out of their pocket.

By all means, what is MS's core business model? Because the vast majority of their profits come from corporate licensing. Not to mention, barely 1% of home desktop users are using a flavor of Linux. Also keep in mind, the cost of the OS is virtually nothing for the vast, vast majority of home PC users on Windows because they buy a pre-built system from an OEM. Hell, Walmart sold pre-built PCs with linux on them and it farking tanked.

So the only people who would benefit are the ones building their own system, and again, the cost of OS is a drop in the bucket compared to the cost of all the games you would be buying. Not to mention, again, shitty, unreliable developer support. The install base is way to damn small to make it worth it for developers, and you mistakenly assume that linux gamers are going to be sooooo thrilled that a game is available on their OS that they are ALL going to rush out and buy it. Not. Developers are still better off developing for the Mac, android, or facebook at this point.

Shit, if tomorrow a magical version of linux was released that suddenly was able to play all PC games just fine, do you seriously think there would be this mad rush of people switching to linux? lol, no

Quote from travathian : By all means, what is MS's core business model? Because the vast majority of their profits come from corporate licensing. Not to mention, barely 1% of home desktop users are using a flavor of Linux. Also keep in mind, the cost of the OS is virtually nothing for the vast, vast majority of home PC users on Windows because they buy a pre-built system from an OEM. Hell, Walmart sold pre-built PCs with linux on them and it farking tanked. So the only people who would benefit are the ones building their own system, and again, the cost of OS is a drop in the bucket compared to the cost of all the games you would be buying. Not to mention, again, shitty, unreliable developer support. The install base is way to damn small to make it worth it for developers, and you mistakenly assume that linux gamers are going to be sooooo thrilled that a game is available on their OS that they are ALL going to rush out and buy it. Not. Developers are still better off developing for the Mac, android, or facebook at this point. Shit, if tomorrow a magical version of linux was released that suddenly was able to play all PC games just fine, do you seriously think there would be this mad rush of people switching to linux? lol, no

The main "selling" point of linux is not the cost or lack there of, IMO. Also, as far as the Linux gamers being excited about it and jumping out to buy games goes...take a look at the humble bundle donations. Look at who consistently has the highest average paid. Linux gamers are very greatful whenever a developer supports their platform of choice.

Quote from travathian : Shit, if tomorrow a magical version of linux was released that suddenly was able to play all PC games just fine, do you seriously think there would be this mad rush of people switching to linux? lol, no

I was with you until here. The only reason I have Windows at home is for games. I can find Linux workaround for everything else for the most part aside from some random graphic software here and there. If a Linux flavor dropped on my lap with decent gaming support, driver functionality and full game compatibility I would be all over that like a fat kid on pie.

Just a dream though.