Valve Linux-Based SteamBox Details Coming Next Week

For those that didn't yet watch Gabe Newell's talk about Linux gaming, at the end of the presentation he notes next week will be more information from Valve about their plans to bring Linux into the living room.

In other words, next week should be the public details about the "Steam Box" for the living room and perhaps their mobile ambitions too.

I've already written at length with some of my views on the Steam Box having talked with Valve about in the past, back when most people didn't even believe the Phoronix reports of the existence of the Steam Linux client. So if you want to re-read any articles, here's some, among others. Other questions or comments can be directed to me via Twitter.

Will next week's announcement be worth celebrating at Oktoberfest? For the German Phoronix readers, "Prost!"

I will end with what I wrote last year, "For those that may be mad that this (closed-source) game company has poached the lead of one of the most impressive open-source game engines out there and continue to go after more all-star Linux developers, it shouldn't be too concerning. I wouldn't be referring these important open-source contributors if I thought Valve was just using it as a crude way to kill open-source software or in the secret pocket of Microsoft. I'm very confident in Valve and their Linux intentions; the impact of their work can greatly benefit the entire Linux ecosystem in huge ways. Whether you're a Linux gamer or not, it's to everyone's benefit that Valve's striking Linux work is steaming with greatness. Without the very best developers the Valve Linux cabal could be left for dead or ricocheting through a portal that has a half-life that is too short to make everything a reality."