Since the Steam Deck uses a Linux-based operating system, this may have led more gamers to choose this open source system.
Since the late 90s, Valve has become a notable force in game development, as well as the dominant global superpower in the PC game market. With their Aperture Desk Job title continuing to showcase future projects, it’s clear that Gabe Newell and the team at Valve still have a lot of mysteries left. On top of that, the Steam Deck has been impressing a lot of people in the industry as well as the community at large, which may have led to an increase in the number of gamers using alternative operating systems.
According to official Steam statistics from April, the number of people using Linux on home PCs has increased by 1.14%. A recent report from TechRadar says that while this is only a small increase, with previous stats showing Linux accounting for exactly 1%, this is quite significant, especially with the new Steam Deck. was released a few months ago. Therefore, it may have had a direct effect on this increase in gamers choosing open source operating systems.
Since the Steam Deck itself uses Linux-based software called Proton, it makes sense that the statistics show an increase in numbers as more and more people use this handheld gaming device. However, the report goes on to say that Steam only surveys the hardware while in Desktop Mode. If most Deck users are in Gaming Mode, it won’t count these people in the statistics. Having said that, there’s every reason to doubt that the device alone has inspired more people to switch to alternative operating systems anyway, especially considering what companies like Valve have been working on. to make Linux more compatible with gaming.
This is not the first time something like this has happened. Back in August 2021, when the developer was promoting his handheld gaming PC, Linux popularity increased shortly after the Steam Deck was announced, with figures showing more than 1, 2 million gamers are using Linux. Despite how it looks, the increase from 1% to 1.14% is a pretty big leap, and it shows how much the device may have influenced this movement.
Although Valve has a rough history with hardware projects, the Steam Deck is still proving its worth. With nearly 2,500 games currently playable or verified, and with the option to install any operating system on it, including Windows, it’s clear that this is more than just an ordinary mobile gaming device.
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