Valve launches Steam for Linux

Valve has announced the release of its Steam for Linux client, celebrating the launch with over 50 Linux titles on discount.

While the initial catalog is primarily made up of indie games, Valve believes AAA developers will have the platform in mind in addition to PC when planning a Steam release.

The introduction of Steam to Ubuntu demonstrates growing demand for open systems from gamers and game developers,” said David Pitkin, Director of Consumer Applications at Canonical. We expect a growing number of game developers to include Ubuntu among their target platforms. We’re looking forward to seeing AAA games developed with Ubuntu in mind as part of a multi-platform day and date release on Steam.”

We’re huge fans of Linux. It’s like the indie OS–a perfect home for our indie game,” said Alen Ladavac, CTO of Croteam, creator of the Serious Sam franchise of games. And who better to lead the charge into Linux gaming than Valve? With Steam distribution on Windows, Mac OS, and now Linux, plus the buy-once, play-anywhere promise of Steam Play, our games are available to everyone, regardless what type of computer they’re running. That’s huge.”

In addition to the titles, Steam for Linux includes Valve’s Big Picture mode designed for use with a TV and gamepad.

With Steam for Linux and Big Picture mode, Valve anticipates a growing number of gamers will use Steam in the living room,” the announcement reads.

The client is available to download now via the Ubuntu Software Center. The Steam sale ends Thursday, February 21st at 10 AM PST.