Reports from people at Steam Dev Days indicate Valve Software may have made some progress bringing SteamVR to Linux, suggesting the private company is getting serious about supporting a wider range of PCs with its VR platform.
Linux is also what SteamOS and its Steam Machines are built on, meaning robust support for Linux with SteamVR could also be a step toward Valve offering a kind of simplified PC that’s a bit more like a game console running SteamVR.
So many Linux nerds are happy right now #SteamDevDays pic.twitter.com/UlV4ZVXVzz
— Kevin Lee (@infinite_lee) October 12, 2016
Busy day tomorrow! #SteamDevDays #Vulkan pic.twitter.com/PzNI7GzNfL
— Pierre-Loup Griffais (@Plagman2) October 12, 2016
Currently the HTC Vive and Oculus Rift only work on Windows machines. Most frequently, those headsets access software released either through the Steam or Oculus store on a Windows machine. But it’s possible that, built on the open source core of Linux, VR might be able to get a fresh (and cheaper) start without a Windows license being attached to the cost of every VR computer.
Valve did not allow press at its Steam Dev Days, so we are still trying to nail down more concrete plans from the company from sources at the event.
