Valve has announced that it will release the free SteamOS gaming-centric operating system tomorrow, the 13th of December, along with 300 limited-edition prototype Steam Machine consoles for lucky beta testers.
Part of Valve's Steam program, which provides a digital distribution platform for both its own software and those created by third-party developers, SteamOS is a customized Linux operating system designed to bridge the gap between consoles and PCs. To launch commercially some time next year on a range of hardware from third-party manufacturers, SteamOS runs Valve's Steam for Linux software in 'Big Picture Mode' - giving the user an interface tailored for big-screen gaming with a customised controller rather than a keyboard and mouse.
The first official third-party Steam Machines aren't due to be shown off until the Consumer Electronics Show in early January, but Valve is giving gamers the chance to get their hands on SteamOS early as a free download - something it will continue to offer even when commercial Steam Machines hit shop shelves.
"SteamOS will be made available when the prototype hardware ships. It will be downloadable by individual users and commercial OEMs," said Valve's Greg Coomer ahead of the launch tomorrow. "But unless you’re an intrepid Linux hacker already, we’re going to recommend that you wait until later in 2014 to try it out."
Coomer also confirmed that a batch of 300 prototype Steam Machines, created by Valve itself, will be sent to participants in the company's closed beta program at the same time. These, however, will be exclusive to US gamers - a shift from Valve's original plan to pick participants from an international pool.
Android Games and Apps
Part of Valve's Steam program, which provides a digital distribution platform for both its own software and those created by third-party developers, SteamOS is a customized Linux operating system designed to bridge the gap between consoles and PCs. To launch commercially some time next year on a range of hardware from third-party manufacturers, SteamOS runs Valve's Steam for Linux software in 'Big Picture Mode' - giving the user an interface tailored for big-screen gaming with a customised controller rather than a keyboard and mouse.
The first official third-party Steam Machines aren't due to be shown off until the Consumer Electronics Show in early January, but Valve is giving gamers the chance to get their hands on SteamOS early as a free download - something it will continue to offer even when commercial Steam Machines hit shop shelves.
"SteamOS will be made available when the prototype hardware ships. It will be downloadable by individual users and commercial OEMs," said Valve's Greg Coomer ahead of the launch tomorrow. "But unless you’re an intrepid Linux hacker already, we’re going to recommend that you wait until later in 2014 to try it out."
Coomer also confirmed that a batch of 300 prototype Steam Machines, created by Valve itself, will be sent to participants in the company's closed beta program at the same time. These, however, will be exclusive to US gamers - a shift from Valve's original plan to pick participants from an international pool.
Android Games and Apps
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