A new gaming system from Steam is based on Linux, showing the incredible future possibilities of Linux gaming.

There’s no wonder that Linux operating systems are gaining traction in the world of gaming. After all, Linux offers several advantages over the other two of the big three operating systems – Windows and Mac. 

Advantages of Linux Gaming Over Windows

When it comes to desktop based gaming, gamers have three main options – Mac OS, Windows, and Linux. As Windows is the most popular, let’s compare the pros of using Linux for gaming vs Windows.

Security

Let’s face it – there are very few machines that are used solely for gaming. Many will use their devices for both personal use, gaming and even work. It’s 2021, workers expect to do work from any one of their devices at their own discretion. As it so happens, Linux is more secure than Windows, and less susceptible to being infected by malware or viruses.

Customization

Linux is chosen by serious tech leaders around the world not only because it is secure, but because of its ability to be customized. With Linux, there is a great range of UI and desktop environments to choose from.

Game Availability

What many may not realize is that there are actually countless titles available on Steam for Linux based computers. Steam has been supporting Linux for years now. As mentioned above, their own gaming console is a Linux-based device.

Consistency and Reliability

Many hardened gamers choose Linux thanks to its consistency and reliability. Windows is notorious for breaking hardware drives, for example. Linux, however, can be deployed on any machine and is unlikely to cause your devices any trouble, unlike their Windows counterparts.

Support for a Wider Range of Devices

To put it simply, Linux has the capability to power virtually any device. The latest versions of Windows do not. The latest version of Windows which will be hitting the shelves soon is Windows 11, and Windows 11 has a very high entry bar in regards to what devices it will support.

An additional point that is hard to overstate is the fact that due to Linux’s minimal operating requirements, it could very well have a massive impact on portable gaming of the future. 

Linux’s Impact on the Future of Portable Gaming 

Thanks to the Nintendo Switch, technical users and casual gamers alike have really grasped hold of the concept of playing games on both desktops and portable devices. The Nintendo Switch introduced this idea by creating the first gaming console capable of being both a home console and a portable device, working flawlessly in both scenarios. Although ahead of their time, this trend is also one seen across other industries beyond gaming. For example, in the world of work, employees also expect to take their work with them on the go, as well as doing critical work tasks at designated workstations. 

IT managers, therefore, put a premium on solutions that enable them to allow something called bring your own device (BYOD) in their corporate networks. 

The same concept is at work with the Nintendo Switch, and is being replicated now by gaming rivals. 

The Linux Based Steam Deck from Valve Shows a New Direction in Portable Linux Gaming

Valve, the creators of Steam, have recently announced a new gaming device that is actually Linux based. Called the Steam Deck, the device mimes the outrageously successful Switch’s ability to perform well at home and on the go.

With the Steam Deck, gamers can play their games on their dedicated gaming desktops, save their files to the Cloud, and then take their games with them wherever they want. 

Of course, there is one significant difference between the Steam Deck and the Switch, that being that in the case of the switch, there is one single device performing two different functions. In the case of Steam Deck, two separate devices are simply working together to enable at home place and portable play.

However, if the Steam Deck were to catch on in any significant way, gamers would soon get used to playing their games on a Linux powered operating system. In order to ensure congruence between devices, this could motivate more gamers to invest in Linux based operating systems for their desktops as well. 

Cloud Gaming, VDI and DaaS

In addition to making handheld, portable gaming a reality, there is another way Linux is empowering gamers and making computer intensive gaming more accessible for less money. One of these trends has to do with VDI and DaaS.

Essentially with a Cloud hosted VDI service, gamers are able to pay a subscription fee and avoid making pricey investments into gaming hardware. Modern Cloud VDI gaming solutions available from the likes of Amazon, Microsoft and Google, for example, make remote gaming a possibility for virtually any budget. With Microsoft’s new Chromium-based Edge browser headed to Xbox consoles soon, it could even become possible to use your Xbox as a gaming PC for running Steam games. Additionally, if Windows 365 were to become available to consumers, it could play a role in enabling Cloud gaming.

With Cloud based VDI, gamers are basically accessing their virtual desktops hosted in the cloud, converting their hardware devices into an entry point into intense gaming, no matter what machine they happen to have. 

Linux Could Save Gamers Money

Thanks to all of the heavy lifting for your gaming being hosted in the Cloud, gamers are now freed up to do whatever they want in regards to their operating system. This means they can convert their devices into Linux operating systems, and don’t have to deal with Windows.

By having a Linux operating system combined with VDI, gamers can save money and access the best games from whatever device they already have.  

Stratodesk NoTouch and Linux Gaming

NoTouch OS has the clients built in for every single major VDI/Cloud solution provider, making it easy for gamers to deploy it on their machine, and connect instantly to the Cloud and begin gaming.

The advantage here for gamers using NoTouch is that not only can they handle the most demanding game on the oldest 32-bit device or the most cutting edge 64-bit gaming computer, they can access virtual desktops and games alongside work applications and personal use all within one device.