Valve's SteamOS Gains Ground Against Microsoft's Windows in PC Gaming
The RAMpocalypse has bought Microsoft valuable time in the fight against SteamOS
Ars Technica
Image: Ars Technica
Valve's SteamOS has increased its share in the PC gaming market, growing from under 1% to over 5% in two years, while Windows remains dominant at 92%. This shift presents a challenge for Microsoft as gamers explore alternatives amidst the transition to Windows 11.
- 01SteamOS's market share has risen from under 1% to over 5% since April 2021.
- 02Windows still dominates PC gaming but has seen a decline from over 96% to 92% in recent years.
- 03Valve's strategy focuses on making Windows games compatible with Linux rather than pushing for native ports.
- 04The introduction of SteamOS-compatible handheld devices is changing the gaming landscape.
- 05Microsoft faces challenges with Windows 11 as users consider alternatives.
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Valve's SteamOS has made significant strides in the PC gaming market, increasing its share from under 1% to over 5% between April 2021 and now. While Microsoft’s Windows operating system still holds a commanding 92% of the market, this represents a decline from over 96% in previous years. Valve's approach has shifted from attempting to create Linux-native game ports to ensuring that existing Windows games run smoothly on Linux, which has proven more effective. Additionally, Valve has expanded SteamOS's compatibility with third-party gaming handhelds, further challenging Microsoft's dominance. As Microsoft pushes users to transition from Windows 10 to Windows 11, which has faced criticism for its higher system requirements, gamers are increasingly exploring alternatives like SteamOS, potentially reshaping the future of PC gaming.
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As more gamers consider alternatives to Windows, this could lead to a shift in game development priorities and hardware compatibility.
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