Helping Valve to power up Steam devices (igalia.com)

Article summary

Igalia, a company that works with Valve, has contributed to the development of new Steam devices, including the Steam Frame, a wireless VR headset, and the Steam Machine, a gaming console. The devices will run on SteamOS and use open-source software, including the Mesa3D Turnip Vulkan driver for Qualcomm Adreno GPUs. Igalia's work has focused on ensuring the devices can run desktop games and other complex workloads, and they have made significant contributions to the development of the Vulkan driver. The company's efforts have also improved the overall Linux gaming ecosystem.

Main themes

• Steam devices development
• Open-source software
• Vulkan driver development
• Linux gaming ecosystem
• Hardware and software challenges

What commenters say

• Some companies, like Valve, are pushing for open-source software and contributing to the development of Linux gaming, which is a positive step for the community.
• The lack of good driver support in the ARM space is a significant problem that hinders the development of devices and software.
• Hardware and software development have different challenges, and while software can be easier to modify and iterate, hardware development requires a more rigorous testing and validation process.
• The relationship between hardware and software companies can be complex, with some companies viewing software support as a necessary evil, while others see it as an opportunity to provide better customer care.
• Valve's decision to open-source their software is seen as a positive move, but some argue that it is also a way for them to shift the responsibility of maintenance to the community.
• The comparison between hardware and software development is not straightforward, and different people have different opinions on which one is more difficult or complex.
• Some companies, like Qualcomm, are criticized for not providing good software support, while others, like Valve, are seen as more community-friendly and willing to contribute to open-source projects.
• The development of Linux gaming is influenced by various factors, including the availability of open-source software, the quality of driver support, and the efforts of companies like Valve and Igalia.