The Vive was essentially a prototype for the Index, so it had Linux support because Linux support is strategically important to Valve.

Originally posted by temps:

Why Was Vive The Last Linux Compatible VR Headset From HTC?

I understand Linux is niche and thus will get less compatible headsets, but looking at the list of compatible headsets you have the Valve Index and the HTC Vive. Provokes some questions for me... like why would HTC make their old school Vive headset support Linux, but none of the subsequent headset releases from HTC had such Linux compatibility?

If Linux is too niche for HTC to make new VR headsets compatible with Linux, why make the HTC Vive compatible with Linux?

It also doesn't really make sense because thanks to Steam's Proton service, the Linux gaming community has seen a lot of growth since the HTC Vive was released, so if anything the argument for a Linux compatible VR headset should be stronger in 2024 than it was back then.

Even if HTC VIve doesn't think Linux is worth providing customer service to, why not at least make their headsets compatible with Linux (albeit not "supported" in a customer service sense like Windows) so that the Linux community can try and make things work if they want?

Big companies do business with each other under the table.

Oculus rift (cv1) had a driver for linux in the process of being developed. But the company was bought out by facbook that killed the project.

I think it looks like this, for example, you sell us licenses for windows for laptops cheaper? Okay, but you can't provide drivers for linux.

In order for something to work on Linux, it must be forced. Users must want it very much, or like valve, the company must see its future in it. The Steam deck is faster, consumes less battery because it runs on Linux, and Valve doesn't have to kneel in front of microsoft. Mr. Gabe Logan Newell has lifelong respect from me for this. I hope it goes further, a big console with linux, and steam os for pcs.

Originally posted by grzegorz77:

In order for something to work on Linux, it must be forced. Users must want it very much, or like valve, the company must see its future in it. The Steam deck is faster, consumes less battery because it runs on Linux, and Valve doesn't have to kneel in front of microsoft. Mr. Gabe Logan Newell has lifelong respect from me for this. I hope it goes further, a big console with linux, and steam os for pcs.

SteamOS for PC yes, but a Valve/Steam console (other than the handheld deck) would probably fail as hard as steam machines did. Many PC gamers like to be able to upgrade individual components in their rigs as needed and a true Valve/Steam console would be very limited in upgrade options.

The deck's success is due to being a portable handheld device, if it were a console like an xbox or playstation it likely would have faded from the market by now ... just like the steam machines.

As for VR, until linux goes more mainstream in gaming user base numbers, it's just too niche to be profitable ... and with corporations it's all about the numbers equaling profits, always will be.

Originally posted by Xenophobe:

Originally posted by grzegorz77:

....

SteamOS for PC yes, but a Valve/Steam console (other than the handheld deck) would probably fail as hard as steam machines did. Many PC gamers like to be able to upgrade individual components in their rigs as needed and a true Valve/Steam console would be very limited in upgrade options.

The deck's success is due to being a portable handheld device, if it were a console like an xbox or playstation it likely would have faded from the market by now ... just like the steam machines.

As for VR, until linux goes more mainstream in gaming user base numbers, it's just too niche to be profitable ... and with corporations it's all about the numbers equaling profits, always will be.

I am of a different opinion, xbox and ps consoles do not offer the possibility of improvement, and they occupy a large segment of the market.

A small Linux-based computer that works like a steam deck has a chance to take over a large part of this market. A larger format will allow more heat to be released to the environment, and the ridiculously small amount of current consumed will no longer be a serious limitation. A fixed set of components will make it easier to write games by removing compatibility issues. People want a simple computer that just works, which is why they buy consoles. And software, such as steam os, gives much more possibilities than a console, in other applications than games.

So the lack of expansion is not only a disadvantage, but also an advantage in other applications. A lot of people don't want to choose components, install software, learn complicated problem solving.
They want to push a button, and they expect it to just work.

Linux for gaming, is something completely different today than it was a few years ago, steam deck and proton db have completely changed that.


When it comes to vr, it seems to me that writing a driver for linux is nothing compared to the whole creation of a vr headset and its software. Especially if you have a whole army of qualified people at your disposal who will be happy to help you for free. And the market is empty, because vr almost does not exist on linux. Personally, I dream of buying a VR headset that works as well under linux as it does under windows. It works in the sense that I plug it in, install it and it works, not some magic, and uncertainty if it will also work tomorrow. VR headset with stable Linux software, available in packages included in debian, at $500, it's a first-day buy for me. Why Debian, because if included in the stable Debian it means that it works today and in two years and in 20 years. Not like oculus, after the company was bought by facbook.

Originally posted by grzegorz77:

Originally posted by Xenophobe:

SteamOS for PC yes, but a Valve/Steam console (other than the handheld deck) would probably fail as hard as steam machines did. Many PC gamers like to be able to upgrade individual components in their rigs as needed and a true Valve/Steam console would be very limited in upgrade options.

The deck's success is due to being a portable handheld device, if it were a console like an xbox or playstation it likely would have faded from the market by now ... just like the steam machines.

As for VR, until linux goes more mainstream in gaming user base numbers, it's just too niche to be profitable ... and with corporations it's all about the numbers equaling profits, always will be.

I am of a different opinion, xbox and ps consoles do not offer the possibility of improvement, and they occupy a large segment of the market.

A small Linux-based computer that works like a steam deck has a chance to take over a large part of this market. A larger format will allow more heat to be released to the environment, and the ridiculously small amount of current consumed will no longer be a serious limitation. A fixed set of components will make it easier to write games by removing compatibility issues. People want a simple computer that just works, which is why they buy consoles. And software, such as steam os, gives much more possibilities than a console, in other applications than games.

So the lack of expansion is not only a disadvantage, but also an advantage in other applications. A lot of people don't want to choose components, install software, learn complicated problem solving.
They want to push a button, and they expect it to just work.

If Valve made any kind of VR device that "just works" like that and has an open source Linux OS I would definitely be interested in buying. Been having a lot of issues with getting VR games running on my Ubuntu machine, even if I apply the DRM leasing fix suggested by Steam to run the games in KDE Plasma/Wayland to enable DRM leasing.

I have a lot of VR games I used to play on Windows... idk maybe like 20 or 30. So far I've managed to get like maybe 3 of them working on Linux... it's crappy. And I'm even using a Valve Index for this, and games with good ratings on ProtonDB. Still really hard to get stuff working in VR on Linux... it's been one issue after another.

I can see why there aren't a lot of VR people on Linux... it's not really practical for the average person. They don't have time to do all this troubleshooting.

Maybe Valve could make something like a Quest 3 that connects to a Steam Deck and runs Linux. If they make everything "just work" with it like they did with Steam Deck, it would be awesome.