Tag Archives: client
Steam client beta high-DPI display support
Steam client beta high-DPI display support now supports up to 4k resolutions on Linux, Mac and Windows. So now that Valve has fine beta. The Steam client now has addition of support for high-DPI monitor support.
The Linux, Mac and Windows versions of the new Steam client should also use less CPU. Since this was no the case when drawing the main window. Which now makes better use of stored assets when installing games.
Steam for Linux gets Platform-specific wishlisting
Steam for Linux gets finally updates with Platform-specific wishlisting in 2017. Since this is a long overdue feature. Yet one thing often in mention for anyone previously doing a Steam Machine review. Steam should just list games available for Linux and SteamOS, right?
GOG Galaxy not coming to Linux anytime soon
So the big gaming news right seems to be around GOG Galaxy. Hence the software #client from #gaming store GOG, with an expectation that the software will give the #Steam app a run for the money. Well, the application finally launching out of beta. While players will have the opportunity to download and use GOG Galaxy. Using the client to install and manage the games they bought via GOG since 2014. Hence this update takes the service up to a full-release, with features players will certainly use. The biggest and probably the best feature, universal cloud saves. But not only that, GOG has went on to improve the overall user experience by introducing a bunch of requested additions. So version 1.2 is rolling out to those who opt into beta testing.
So now in GOG Galaxy’s latest update, players can save their games to the cloud for any game in library. For Steam users, this feature is not exactly ground breaking gaming news. However for those who love their DRM-free games, the feature enables you to play a game on your laptop or another PC, continuing from where you left off. So the universal cloud saves, players can use this feature with games that were not intent to work with the feature.
“Thanks to [universal cloud saves], excellent games like Planescape: Torment, Heroes of Might & Magic III, or Vampire: The Masquerade — Bloodlines gain the benefits of saves syncing and cloud backup for the first time ever,” reads a GOG blog (a glog?). “Of course, if you prefer to keep your precious saves close at hand, GOG Galaxy also lets you download a backup of your saves data at any time and use it as you see fit.”
So what does all of this have to do with Linux. Well any good news of this nature usually spawns a heap of questions. Namely, where is the Linux version of GOG Galaxy. And the short answer, no idea. Seriously.
GOG Galaxy for Linux current status:
“Hi Todd,
Answering your question regarding Linux GOG Galaxy client, unfortunately we don’t have any timeline for it. Only thing we can assure you is we haven’t abandoned the project.”
So as you might have guessed, no good news. Despite the eager post on Reddit stating the likelihood of a native Linux release. The answer to that is, not anytime soon. At least that’s what we get from the GOG reply. And yes, this came directly from the GOG team. Kind of like The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and native support, well maybe not THAT bad.
So going on to review some of the other features of GOG Galaxy, now including a hibernate mode. Hence limiting the CPU impact of GOG Galaxy during gameplay. Since this is a significant for those running their laptop on battery power. GOG Galaxy can now also limit bandwidth, gauge your FPS, take screenshots, provide in-game controls with an overlay, and explain the rarity of achievements. GOG also has an updated chat system.
Since you can customize GOG Galaxy by turning off features you don’t want or use. This enables players to customize the client, so if all you want is a Witcher III launcher, voila. Needless to say, we are interested to see if Lutris 0.5 is going to replace GOG Galaxy. Hence the latest statement from the developer Mathieu Comandon.
Steam client update adds controller and improvements
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So two weeks ago Valve released a beta update for its Steam client including Linux. Since this added #Configurator support for Xbox 360 and Xbox One controllers for #games, along with #SteamController improvements. So now these features are available to everyone. Since these features are now part of the latest mainstream Steam client update.
Since Valve already added support for PlayStation 4 controllers last month. Hence now we see Xbox 360/One controllers and X-Input have all been added similar to the Steam Controller. So now gamers can connect and using almost any gamepad they want with Steam on Linux or PC. Of course, many games natively suported the Xbox controllers already. Yet this update means that games do not have to mess with JoyToKey or other keyboard-to-X-Input mapping programs. Since all recognized controllers can now tap into “the advanced mapping features of the Steam Controller Configurator.”
Steam Controller
- Added XBox 360, Xbox One, and Generic X-Input controller configurator support. This allows all recognized controller types to use the advanced mapping features of the Steam Controller Configurator. Note that because X-Input currently lacks per-controller means of unique identification, all controllers of that type will share personalization and configuration settings. As they share the same inputs, Xbox 360/One/Generic controllers will all see each-others configurations when browsing. Automatic conversion will be attempted when loading configurations from other controller types.
- Unrecognized Generic X-Input gamepad style controllers will be recognized by the Steam Controller Configurator once their buttons have been assigned to match a generic gamepad layout.
- Recommended configurations specified for a game by the developer will now attempt to assign based on Controller Type.
- Added option to disable Guide Button issuing a Steam focus change. This is available through the Big Picture controller options menu. This allows better interoperability with other applications which use the Guide Button, such as PSNow.
- Added Single Button simple button mode for trackpads. This allows a trackpad to be treated as a single giant button.
Steam client Linux
- Improved interactions between the Steam runtime and host distribution libraries, which should let Steam work out of the box with open-source graphics drivers on modern distributions. If using an older distribution or running into problems, use STEAM_RUNTIME_PREFER_HOST_LIBRARIES=0 to revert to previous behavior.
- Unify close-to-tray behavior with other platforms. If using a distribution that doesn’t have proper compatible tray support, use STEAM_FRAME_FORCE_CLOSE=0
- Added idle detection, friend status will now automatically switch to Away/Snooze
- Fixed Steam not obeying SIGTERM, Steam will now gracefully exit when logging out of a session
- Fixed keyboard input and cursor switching in overlay for Vulkan applications
- Update Vulkan loader in the Steam runtime to enable Xlib support
- Updated libxcb in the runtime with a fix for DRI3-related crashes on open-source graphics drivers
Since Valve added a bunch of other controller updates to the latest Steam client. This includes rumble support for Xbox controllers and recognition of more third-party PS4 gamepads. So this includes some HORI, Madcatz, Armor pads and flight sticks. Al
So with native support for all these controllers. Recommended configurations specified for games will now have the client attempt to assign based on controller type.
Beyond controller support, the new client fixes several issues. Valve also added some love for Linux with over half a dozen updates and bug fixes.
So if you right-click on a game in your library now, there are some menu changes. Say goodbye to “Delete local content” and say hello to “Uninstall.” Another nice addition: the ability to move game install folders from the Properties > Local Files menu.
Itch.io a competitor to Steam is looking to get their client list for Linux, Mac and Windows PC
So this is interesting, a game client got a listing on Steam without #Valve knowing the makers of the games #marketplace were working to get their app out there using #greenlight. Which popped up on April 1st, a day known for hilarious pranks and jokes, etc. Hence our hesitation, so we waited, to see all of this is legit.
Itch.io is a well known open marketplace for indie games. According to the “About” page, if you created a game, you can easily upload it, set the price, then sell through Itch.io. Easy.
itch.io is an open marketplace for independent digital creators with a focus on independent video games. It’s a platform that enables anyone to sell the content they’ve created. As a seller you’re in charge of how it’s done: you set the price, you run sales, and you design your pages. It’s never necessary to get votes, likes, or follows to get your content approved, and you can make changes to how you distribute your work as frequently as you like.
itch.io is also a collection of some of the most unique, interesting, and independent creations you’ll find on the web. We’re not your typical digital storefront, with a wide range of both paid and free content, we encourage you to look around and see what you find.
The creators of Itch.io have a new desktop client called Itch available for Linux, Mac, and Windows PC. Which of course has gone a step further with a listing for Itch on Steam Greenlight, with hopes of “gaining votes, likes, or follows” to get their content approved to make it onto Steam. Which is contrary to their “About” section, trying to launch an app for a games marketplace on another games marketplace.
Apparently it has been fun to add the Itch client on Greenlight for April Fool’s Day, which is why you are hearing about this so late. But it seems Itch is legitimately trying to get their app available on Steam. Which does not have the capability to make purchases of games from Itch.io’s library, so users will just be able to launch, manage, and update your games.
So in a manner of technical terms, the Itch client is an indie game management service within a commercially viable online storefront.
One way or another, the installer works well on Linux and we easily installed the deb package. There obviously an AUR listing as well for Arch users. So leave a comment and let us know how you make out with the client.
