Report: Steam Coming to Linux 'Within Months'

After years of waiting, we wouldn't be surprised if Linux users had given up hope of seeing a Steam for Linux release any time soon. However, it seems Valve is indeed hard at work on Steam for Linux and, according to the latest rumors, it will be released 'within months.'

Word comes from Phoronix founder Michael Larabel. Larabel reports that the Steam client and Source Engine are being ported to Linux and will arrive in a matter of months. The founder of the Linux enthusiast site said he was privy to Valve's Linux efforts at a recent visit to the company's offices. Proof comes in the form of a photo that shows Left 4 Dead 2 running natively on Linux.

 

"No Wine library or anything else for "fake" support," Larabel writes. "This is on an Ubuntu 11.10 installation with the AMD Catalyst Linux driver."

So, what's the hold up? According Larabel, Valve has been working on Linux support for quite a while but a lack of structure meant things moved kind of slowly until Gabe Newell got involved with the project.

"In part, what has taken so long is that Valve's management structure is rather flat," he writes, later adding, "There has been developers working on the Linux support for sometime, but not until recently has Gabe Newell become personally involved with the Linux client work. In fact, his desk is currently in the current Valve Linux development camp!"

Linux support is expected in the coming months. For now, Valve is working hard on Linux support and Michael Larabel says Valve is looking to expand its current tea of Linux developers. They've apparently already taken on one person he recommended and they aren't finished hiring yet.

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  • molo9000
    Gabe Newell to the rescue! lol

    I wonder what 'within months' means in Valve time.
    Reply
  • jessterman21
    I'd never use Windows again...
    Reply
  • nebun
    why would anyone want to game with 2d graphics....when it comes to games linux is no better when compared with mac OS x
    Reply
  • nebun
    gaming on WINDOWS is still king if you ask me
    Reply
  • nforce4max
    At least they are moving forward unlike the rest of the industry.
    Reply
  • iceman1992
    one more (BIG) reason to ditch windows
    Reply
  • spookie
    One of the main reasons I still use windows is for games...looks like that is about to change :D
    Reply
  • bucknutty
    Imagine if thier work lead to a direct x type port that would allow all windows games to run in linux.... One could dream..
    Reply
  • ojas
    Wait, could valve's console-ish thing be linux based???
    Reply
  • santiagoanders
    YESSSSSSSSSS! This is what I've been wanting ever since I built my first computer.
    Reply