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Steam Linux on the way? Left 4 Dead carries Linux binaries

arstechnica.com — Though some will protest that its DRM system is detestable, Valve's Steam platform is by far one of the best compromises between publishers and gamers, and it's a key contributor to the overall health of PC gaming. Valve has gradually developed the once-despised platform into something worth supporting, but if there is any one remaining flaw of the

Who dugg this? Made popular Dec 2, 2008

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  • SatNav, on 12/01/2008, -5/+65Good Lord, *please* let this be true! Since switching entirely to linux, I have a Steam account with a bunch of games going completely to waste.
  • Disease, on 12/02/2008, -7/+62If this happens, goodbye Windows.
  • Sammi84, on 12/02/2008, -1/+47Just to make this clear: The Linux binaries found in the Left 4 Dead demo are specifically for the Steam game/store CLIENT.

    So these are not just files from a Steam server build for Linux. This is a big deal for those interested in getting the Steam client to Linux. It is physical proof that Valve have definitely invested development resources into the Linux client.
  • valarking, on 12/02/2008, -5/+38I don't know how you could call its "DRM" detestable. It protects people from stealing (yes, it's stealing) games, and makes it really easy for people who buy them. If I want to use my games on a different computer I just log in and download. I mean, I pirate games as much as anyone, but having a user-friendly method of preventing their stuff from being stolen isn't detestable.
  • mockidol, on 12/02/2008, -0/+26Exactly. I love steam.

    I don't even know where my discs are for most games anymore but I can log onto steam from any computer and blam, I'm in buisness.
  • vpshockwave, on 12/02/2008, -1/+25I love steam. Being able to have all my games in a quick download format just by reinstalling steam is great after a reformat. Never have to lose a disc again. Plus they have plenty of old games and classics you can download too for fairly cheap. It'll be good news for them if they get a fully working linux version.
  • SQLserver, on 12/02/2008, -1/+23What the heck?
    Who actually detests Steam? I think it's marvelous what Valve as done with the program. All your favorite games in one place. If they made it native to Linux, it'll be like killing 50 birds with one stone.

    Also, I've found it amazing how open Valve is with mods, and I've used and really liked their SDK.

    Really, really great news.
  • ArthurSucks, on 12/02/2008, -1/+23This could prove to be an awesome turn of events. Linux needs some game.
  • TychoQuad, on 12/02/2008, -0/+21CEEEEEELE-BRATE-GOOD-TIMES-COME-ON!
  • quato, on 12/02/2008, -0/+20Steam in the Linux community = Yes please! This would be a great possible door to future stronger linux games.
  • mmijatov, on 12/02/2008, -2/+20Platform independence is awesome! I really commend Valve for going this route. It exemplifies the spirit of what computing should be about.
  • mrBitch, on 12/02/2008, -0/+17Agreed. Steam's version of DRM is easy to live with... and if you lose your CDs it doesn't matter since Steam will remember you purchased the game and allow you to download it again.

    Also great is the "Burn download to DVD" option... Now THAT is cool.
  • SuperSunny, on 12/02/2008, -1/+16OpenGL perhaps?
  • sloppychris, on 12/02/2008, -0/+14Obvious troll is obvious
  • Sammi84, on 12/02/2008, -1/+14@nmnnotmyname

    The Linux binaries found in Left 4 Dead are for the Steam client not the server. So yes this carries A LOT OF WEIGHT

    This is a real case for celebration for those interested in getting the Steam client to Linux.
  • HumanUSB, on 12/02/2008, -0/+1355? It is $19.99 USD on Steam, and they had a weekend deal for 14.99 or so.

    Source : http://store.steampowered.com/app/7670/
  • DontThinkSo, on 12/02/2008, -1/+14Have you tried wine?
  • DPyro, on 12/02/2008, -0/+12Give Valve a call.
  • TheJalu, on 12/01/2008, -1/+13Nice news =)
  • Samuraizero, on 12/02/2008, -0/+12Of course this doesn't mean we are going to be able to play all those games in Linux. But it's a huge step forward by a huge company. Now we need some people saying, "if Valve did games for Linux, i'd probably buy them". I'd do.
  • evilpig, on 12/02/2008, -1/+12I use Wine on Ubuntu... got my Counter Strike Source working. Steam is full of bugs and the game is a little slow...

    Not really appealing to me. But I do love Linux
  • bury, on 12/02/2008, -2/+13Maybe we will eventually see a Steam distro - streamlined for bloat-free gaming.
  • Tenzy, on 12/02/2008, -1/+11Lights out! I hear a witch!
  • Jektal, on 12/02/2008, -0/+10I imagine there will still be a huge hurdle and delay between getting the CLIENT to run on Linux natively, and getting the GAMES to run on Linux natively.

    The first games you would see will probably be Java based and just distributed through Steam.
  • jessenoob, on 12/02/2008, -0/+9Not to mention all the sweet deals they have, especially the Valve Complete Pack.
    http://store.steampowered.com/sub/1134
  • nickpick, on 12/02/2008, -0/+8Self-conversations are the first signs of insanity. :P
  • Sammi84, on 12/02/2008, -0/+8Say what?
  • sloppychris, on 12/02/2008, -0/+8Steam reminds me a lot of linux package managers.
  • lastrite, on 12/02/2008, -0/+8Source already runs with OpenGL ES on the PS3 (albeit badly) . . .
  • MMilitia, on 12/02/2008, -0/+7Wouldn't this require Valve to write a whole new non-DirectX renderer for Source?

    Doesn't sound that likely tbh.
  • cheeseplease, on 12/02/2008, -0/+7Nah, people just love to hear good news and love to dream about a better future.
  • inactive, on 12/02/2008, -0/+6Totally agree with you. I've never heard anyone complain about Steam DRM. Am I missing something?
  • Stonekeeper, on 12/02/2008, -0/+6Does anyone know if there's a way of retrieving a steam account based on a serial number of say HL that you registered with it? I remember my password, just not my user id
  • Sammi84, on 12/02/2008, -0/+6Good News!
  • JoeBeardie, on 12/02/2008, -1/+7We'll see how this turns out i guess.

    This is particularly good news for me because it would signal the end to the last of what binds me to windows
  • skinflute, on 12/02/2008, -0/+6It's not detestable, but apparently it's also not good enough protection for some developers. For example the Steam version of GTA IV will include SecuROM. :(
  • Jektal, on 12/02/2008, -0/+6THIS wouldn't, this news right here is about the Steam client, not any of the games. And Steam sells non-Valve and non-Source games.

    But yes, even if Steam runs on Linux, the games won't (yet).
  • cheeseplease, on 12/02/2008, -0/+5I'm loving it!
  • Strychnine, on 12/02/2008, -1/+6You must be thinking the same thing about having friends: "perhaps next year."
  • erossmu, on 12/02/2008, -0/+5"awww god dammit... can we get around her or do we have to ***** a bitch up?" -- my usual response
  • screwattackthis, on 12/02/2008, -0/+5If there's a Linux client for Steam, you still won't be able to play those games unless the developers port them as well. A Linux client of Steam may encourage more developers to release Linux binaries of their games, but it's nothing to hold your breath over.
  • Jektal, on 12/02/2008, -4/+9There is an offline mode, you don't have to log in.

    And besides, some companies deserve your money. Valve is one of them.
  • Biznarie, on 12/02/2008, -0/+5I doubt there will be any java games, there are already some games on steam that have linux clients. Unreal Tournament (99 and 04), Enemy Territory: Quake Wars, Quake 4, Doom 3, and probably other iD sotware games. If there bringing steam to linux hopefully the source engine will be ported too bringing all the great valve games to linux natively. If these do well hopefully it influences companies to port their games to linux.
  • inactive, on 12/01/2008, -9/+14I don't think this carries any weight - I thought there was already a Linux server version of Steam that could at least download the servers. Nonetheless, if there's more than that going on here, I guess it's interesting.
  • horsepie, on 12/02/2008, -0/+5Everyone!
  • Darkx1337, on 12/02/2008, -0/+5That app is called hldsupdatetool. It is provided by Valve but is independent from steam, as far as I know.
  • stuffradio, on 12/02/2008, -0/+5Linux needs something like this. Let's hope it is true :D
  • ZackRI, on 12/02/2008, -2/+6Mac Steam plz.
  • Rememberthe0511, on 12/02/2008, -1/+5Digital Cloning. Stealing implies that something is gone, a transfer of some type of wealth from person or group A to person or group B.

    This being said steam is the only form of DRM that I will even put up with, let a lone love. It is 100% BS free. If you have EVER paid for a game then you get to play it forever. All of type of DRM other then this are really just trying to make sure that you never get to keep the media you paid for. That's why you can never buy from places like Itunes, only rent. Only pirates get to keep their music. Pretty sad. Steam FTW.
  • cheeseplease, on 12/02/2008, -0/+4It's a step in the right direction and most games are playable with wine.
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