[Feature request] 64bit steam for linux client

[todt]

I think it would be nice because on 64bit linux the native libs usually get updated faster then the 32bit emulation and compat libs which means bugs gets fixed faster.

[Dusk of Oolacile]

A theory:

1. The new xbox and ps comes with x64 architecture and a lot of RAM.
2. If these consoles continue dominating the gaming world, games will start using these in a few years.
3. Games using more than 4GB or RAM and written against x64 will be easier to port to x64 windows and linux.
4. If SteamOS wants these games, it'll have to support x64.
5. Conclusion: x64 will come in a few years.

Until then, be patient. It hasn't even come out. The current linux support is only preparing for it, some kind of beta which is not called a beta.

[Pocket]

If I recall, at least one of my Linux games is 64 bit already, and they had to release a patch to make it actually launch from Steam. I wanna say, Trine 2? Not sure.

[todt]

I think the list of 64bit linux games is too long to post here. It's just the steam client I'm missing.

[Nah-B No.53]

I don't think it needs a 64bit client (for now) but even if it does not get one soon it alredy supports 64bit games like amnesia and any OpenGL game that is not on steam right now but you can add them in the library and get the steam overlay

[Dusk of Oolacile]

引用自 todt：

I think the list of 64bit linux games is too long to post here. It's just the steam client I'm missing.

Sure, still, imagine the SteamOS scenario. It would be strange if the OS was x64, the client x86 and the games x64.

[Zyro]

引用自 LOLCAT：

Sure, still, imagine the SteamOS scenario. It would be strange if the OS was x64, the client x86 and the games x64.

I think that would be ok. The client doesn't need any of the 64 bit advantages.

[Dusk of Oolacile]

引用自 Zyro：

引用自 LOLCAT：

Sure, still, imagine the SteamOS scenario. It would be strange if the OS was x64, the client x86 and the games x64.

I think that would be ok. The client doesn't need any of the 64 bit advantages.

It would work but it doesn't mean it would be ok. Like building a house out of concrete, except for one wll, which would be made of bricks. Just because it wouldn't collapse, it wouldn't be right.

[FireFoxII]

I hope it will be soon... I have Debian x64 and won't install multiarch...

[Zyro]

引用自 FireFoxII：

I hope it will be soon... I have Debian x64 and won't install multiarch...

Why not?
It's a (new and great) part of Debian.

[Artemis3]

Indeed some games are nice enough to bundle 64 bit versions, such as Euro Truck Simulator and Kerbal Space Program; but i see no reason to not compile the steam client as well.

Please do not say x64, you are making a technical abomination because that belongs to the forgotten itanium architechture (there IS such thing as Debian x64, mind you, and its NOT what you think). The correct designation is AMD64 for historical reaons or x86_64.

And to make things even more fun, there was also an x32 platform (as in x86_32?) to make use of all modern features except 64 bits on x86_64 processors, because "i686" or similar only used up to p3 era tricks, but that didn't got much interest as it came too late and most people has switched to x86_64 by now.

[Dusk of Oolacile]

引用自 Artemis3：

Please do not say x64, you are making a technical abomination because that belongs to the forgotten itanium architechture (there IS such thing as Debian x64, mind you, and its NOT what you think). The correct designation is AMD64 for historical reaons or x86_64.

Itanium is AI64. x64 is the commonly used form of amd64, x86_64 is only used by linux, but means the same thing.

Remember the difference between Windows XP 64-bit Edition and Windows XP Professional x64 Edition? The first one is IA64 and is dead. The latter one is amd64 and is not yet dead.

[xifu]

I apologize for necro-ing this thread, but I wanted to voice my support for a 64-bit Steam Linux client and games. Sixty-four-bit Windows and Linux operating systems have been around for 10-ish years. I think it's long overdue for Valve to embrace 64-bit. For a brief period of time there was a 64-bit version of Half-Life 2 (for Windows), but Valve pulled it due to technical issues.

Sources:

Half-Life 2 64-bit mention in Wikipedia[en.wikipedia.org]