Steam Machine’s upcoming release means more people will be playing games on Linux, specifically SteamOS. The idea of ditching Windows for gaming is becoming more attractive, as the Steam Machine is first-party desktop-level hardware that’s optimized for Linux-based SteamOS. The biggest hurdle for Linux gamers right now is a lack of support for many anti-cheats – particular those that require kernel-level access. But with the release of the Machine, Valve hopes game devs take notice.
Steam Machine seems to getting the most attention out of Valve’s latest hardware launches. The Steam creators announced the new console-like mini PC alongside the Steam Frame VR headset and new Steam Controller. Even the Frame runs on SteamOS, which means Valve now has a trio of first-party hardware on Linux (including the Steam Deck handheld).
No thanks, Valve. One reason I switched to Linux was a game ecosystem absent root-level surveillance software. There are many other, better ways to discourage cheating in games.
I’m not sure that is what they are advocating for. They have VAC which doesn’t require kernel level access. If anything they will probably advocate this and that anti cheat can work without root level access.
Yeah that’s a good point, on second read I see that the only mention of kernel-level anticheat made in the article were by the author, and nothing from the Valve rep themselves. Maybe I reacted too soon, and Valve is just trying to get devs warmed up to the idea of using better and less-intrusive anticheat systems.
As long as Valve is committed to an open system, without locked down bootloader like on mobile phones, it is unlikely that kernel-level anti-cheat can be implemented.
But that also means Steam Machines are unlikely to support 4K streaming from Nextflix and co. because also DRM will also only be on the level of other Linux systems.