Valve Joins Linux Foundation Ahead Of SteamOS Launch

Steve McCaskill,

Software developer is one of three new organisations to join Linux Foundation

Software and video game developer Valve has joined the Linux Foundation ahead of the launch of its Linux-based operating system SteamOS,

SteamOS will provide access to popular music and video services, along with games and community features from the Steam online marketplace, and is designed to be used in the living room on large screens, powered by either a conventional PC or purpose-built Steam Machine.

Other new members of the Linux Foundation include virtualisation firm Cloudius Systems and non-profit cloud organisation Heterogeneous System Architecture (HSA).

Gabe NewellSteamOS

“Joining the Linux Foundation is one of many ways Valve is investing in the advancement of Linux gaming,” says Mike Sartain of Valve. “Through these efforts, we hope to contribute tools for developers building new experiences on Linux, compel hardware manufacturers to prioritise support for Linux, and ultimately deliver an elegant and open platform for Linux users.”

Valve initially rose to fame in the 1990s as the developer of the immensely popular Half-Life series, but eventually turned to digital distribution with the launch of the Steam platform, which now boasts 65 million users, offering game downloads and community features.

Non-gaming software was added to the marketplace in 2012, bringing Valve into more direct competition with conventional marketplaces , but managing director Gabe Newell (pictured) has called the advent of Windows 8 a potential catastrophe for PC developers as the Windows Store will be the only way to download software for Windows RT devices.

Linux Foundation

The non-profit Linux Foundation, which was formed in 2000 to foster the growth of the platform, welcomes its new members.

“Our membership continues to grow as both new and mature entities embrace community development and open technologies,” says Mike Woster, chief operating officer, The Linux Foundation. “Our new members believe Linux is a strategic investment that allows their markets to evolve as quickly as possible to achieve long-term viability and competitiveness.”

The Foundation is also governing the code for the open source Tizen mobile operating system and recently told TechWeekEurope it hopes the platform can spread Linux onto mobile devices.

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