And valve has already won. Everyone else is just playing catch-up, and good luck catching up to a Linux-driven steam-integrated platform. You will need it.
Yeah I only have used the steam deck, but I imagine the alternative Windows based handhelds feel much more clunky/hacky since Windows has issues suspending things in general, especially games. Maybe they fixed some of the issues on that end by now, but I feel like SteamOS is really the best and most viable option here for these other companies looking to cash in on this trend. Especially since Windows is bloated as is and not really made for this type of thing.
Not sure if Valve does this already, but perhaps they could license out SteamOS to other manufacturers too? It would make Valve’s “competition” more lucrative for them. At the very least, I hope more people start using SteamOS so Linux gaming gets more adoption as time goes on. Valve has done absolute wonders for the linux community with Proton.
But be aware, it is an immutable distro. This means that it is basically unbreakable (you hear stories about how linux machines can become broken by some update or such, but not bazzite or other immutable distros).
But this also means that if you don’t find an flatpak (or appimage) of a program you need, it can be a little teadious to install it.
Just a warning. The distrobox option is especially flexible and powerful, but you do need to do a little reading up and setting up to install stuff using these methods.
Otherwise everything on bazzite JUST WORKS, especially gaming. And the flatpak store has a ton of stuff, I have never needed anything that wasn’t on there.
Eh, you’re right, but also I think Nintendo is usually kinda in their own category. We see xbox/ps comparisons all the time, but rarely nintendo, since it isn’t really a drop-in comparison. I think this is a similar case – the switch outsells everything strictly for “handhelds”, but it isn’t really solving generalized handheld gaming.
People made the same excuse for the Wii. ‘Oh it’s not competing with the PS3 and 360. It plays completely different games.’ The same people inevitably turn around and say those real consoles ‘have no games,’ because they mostly play the same games.
The Switch has both a shitload of first-party exclusives, and a shitload of ports. They’re killing it. Their legal department can burn in hell, but the platform is clearly dominating the industry. It’s so fucking good that everyone else is rushing to compete with them.
Exactly, and that’s with decade-old hardware. I bought a Switch for first party games and a fun playing experience. I didn’t buy an Xbox or PS because they don’t offer much of anything over my PC.
Nintendo’s lawyers suck, but their games are fantastic and their consoles are fun to use. I’ll probably end up getting a Switch 2, and I’ll probably continue not bothering even looking at Xbox and PS.
And valve has already won. Everyone else is just playing catch-up, and good luck catching up to a Linux-driven steam-integrated platform. You will need it.
Why do you think valve is under fire from every angle lately? They are winning and winning fairly and some people don’t like that.
Good point! I mean, valve doesn’t even report to stockholders!!! Bad valve, bad.
Yeah I only have used the steam deck, but I imagine the alternative Windows based handhelds feel much more clunky/hacky since Windows has issues suspending things in general, especially games. Maybe they fixed some of the issues on that end by now, but I feel like SteamOS is really the best and most viable option here for these other companies looking to cash in on this trend. Especially since Windows is bloated as is and not really made for this type of thing.
Not sure if Valve does this already, but perhaps they could license out SteamOS to other manufacturers too? It would make Valve’s “competition” more lucrative for them. At the very least, I hope more people start using SteamOS so Linux gaming gets more adoption as time goes on. Valve has done absolute wonders for the linux community with Proton.
SteamOS is free to use for everyone, making it a legit Linux FOSS operating system.
https://store.steampowered.com/steamos
It’s not easy to install for non-technical people though. But Bazzite is, and it’s basically a different “flavor” of steamOS.
https://bazzite.gg/
It’s what I use, and it’s great.
I support this.
My gaming PC is not suitable for Windows11. I don’t play much, but I do play.
I switch to Pop!_OS in June, did not like it that much but it got the job done.
I’ve been using SteamOS on this machine since mid September and honestly I don’t ever want to go back.
I’ve been using Bazzite on my main laptop as well and it’s fantastic.
I even found out that you can create a steamOS distrobox. No real need to use it, but thought that was cool.
Thanks for the info. Gonna check it out!
Edit: Ok you know what bazzite looks awesome. I’m definitely gonna install it later this week on my main pc and see how it goes
You won’t regret it.
But be aware, it is an immutable distro. This means that it is basically unbreakable (you hear stories about how linux machines can become broken by some update or such, but not bazzite or other immutable distros).
But this also means that if you don’t find an flatpak (or appimage) of a program you need, it can be a little teadious to install it.
https://docs.bazzite.gg/Installing_and_Managing_Software/
Just a warning. The distrobox option is especially flexible and powerful, but you do need to do a little reading up and setting up to install stuff using these methods.
Otherwise everything on bazzite JUST WORKS, especially gaming. And the flatpak store has a ton of stuff, I have never needed anything that wasn’t on there.
The Switch has outsold it by an order of magnitude.
Eh, you’re right, but also I think Nintendo is usually kinda in their own category. We see xbox/ps comparisons all the time, but rarely nintendo, since it isn’t really a drop-in comparison. I think this is a similar case – the switch outsells everything strictly for “handhelds”, but it isn’t really solving generalized handheld gaming.
People made the same excuse for the Wii. ‘Oh it’s not competing with the PS3 and 360. It plays completely different games.’ The same people inevitably turn around and say those real consoles ‘have no games,’ because they mostly play the same games.
The Switch has both a shitload of first-party exclusives, and a shitload of ports. They’re killing it. Their legal department can burn in hell, but the platform is clearly dominating the industry. It’s so fucking good that everyone else is rushing to compete with them.
Exactly, and that’s with decade-old hardware. I bought a Switch for first party games and a fun playing experience. I didn’t buy an Xbox or PS because they don’t offer much of anything over my PC.
Nintendo’s lawyers suck, but their games are fantastic and their consoles are fun to use. I’ll probably end up getting a Switch 2, and I’ll probably continue not bothering even looking at Xbox and PS.
That 1 megapixel brick wider than my laptop? Won?
Yes, they are dominating the handheld gaming market and will continue to do so for a while.
This has nothing to do with your personal preferences.