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John Lindemann and Alex Battaglia: Windows/DX12 in its current state is a hindrance to PC gaming

Kataploom

Gold Member
It was, during the short-lived time of "Steam machines", but at the time it was only capable of running native Linux games, which weren't (and aren't) that common, especially outside indie titles. But after that (mis)adventure Valve put a ton of work into Proton (basically a translation layer that translates DX calls to Vulkan), which is why Steam Deck is able to run most of the titles on Steam. Some with issues, yes, but it's way better than what the situation was with Steam machines.
And this is the reason why Valve should come back with stationery Steam Machines, but using fixed hardware (say Standard and Pro tiers) so they can take advantage of pre-compiled shaders and optimized settings, I'm sure this time around they'd succeed in having console-like PC gaming for people that don't want to deal with PC specifics
 
That's funny, I thought the answer to all PC issues was to just spend more money.
Nah, it's to build a balanced system and avoiding bottlenecks. A good PC may range from $700 - ??? it really depends on what you want to do with it. For instance, if I wanted to do 1440p that upscales to 4K like modern consoles, I could build something like that in a Mini-ITX form factor and still do 100% more tasks other than gaming than I can do on a PS5 Pro.

Windows is a trash OS.
While true, no other OS provides what Windows can as most developers have adopted the OS as their standard. Linux is not user friendly for the masses, and macOS isn't a standard OS for most PC's on the market. Windows on the other hand is compatible with a plethora of hardware configurations and while it has it's flaws, it's still compatible with almost every piece of PC hardware you can buy.
 
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Kvally

Member
Nah, it's to build a balanced system and avoiding bottlenecks. A good PC may range from $700 - ??? it really depends on what you want to do with it. For instance, if I wanted to do 1440p that upscales to 4K like modern consoles, I could build something like that in a Mini-ITX form factor and still do 100% more tasks other than gaming than I can do on a PS5 Pro.


While true, no other OS provides what Windows can as most developers have adopted the OS as their standard. Linux is not user friendly for the masses, and macOS isn't a standard OS for most PC's on the market. Windows on the other hand is compatible with a plethora of hardware configurations and while it has it's flaws, it's still compatible with almost every piece of PC hardware you can buy.
Oh, I totally agree. I just wish that wasn't the case. A man can dream, can't he? :)
 

simpatico

Member
While true, no other OS provides what Windows can as most developers have adopted the OS as their standard. Linux is not user friendly for the masses, and macOS isn't a standard OS for most PC's on the market. Windows on the other hand is compatible with a plethora of hardware configurations and while it has its flaws, it's still compatible with almost every piece of PC hardware you can buy.
Guess you haven’t heard the news, but the only supported version of Windows can’t even be installed on 5 year old CPUs.
 

HogIsland

Member
And this is the reason why Valve should come back with stationery Steam Machines, but using fixed hardware (say Standard and Pro tiers) so they can take advantage of pre-compiled shaders and optimized settings, I'm sure this time around they'd succeed in having console-like PC gaming for people that don't want to deal with PC specifics
Every day I wake up expecting Valve to announce it.
 

HogIsland

Member
A linux machine coded to the metal for gaming would be ideal, which we have in some form factors, but not all, would be my dream machine as well. Pure performance without the Windows overhead but with the option to be used as a desktop / laptop would be amazing.
My experience has been that Proton is a more reliable target than native linux. I don't think there's a single AAA game for native linux that's preferable to Windows + Proton on Steam Deck (or linux desktop). If a developers adopted Vulkan, it would be close "to the metal" on Windows and Linux.
 

Soodanim

Gold Member
A Steam Machine would certainly be more viable now than it was the first time they tried it.

Steam Controller gave them a chance to develop Steam Input
Steam Input allowed them to develop the Steam Deck and its software
Proton made everything more viable

Valve are in a much better place than they were when Steam Machines were first around. Maybe the world isn't ready for them yet, but they're leagues ahead of where they were 9 years ago.

On the flip side, if the rumoured MS portable is coming and we're in the universe where MS releases a leaner Windows to pair, that will be a very hot topic in the gaming world and could disrupt a lot of Linux etc's momentum.
 
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