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intangir Jun 21, 2015 @ 12:56pm
Steamplay and linux confusion..
Im noticing lots of games that used to show the win+mac+linux icon now for supported platforms now show win+mac+steamplay

also many apps that used to say win+mac now say win+mac+steamplay also... and as far as i know still don't actually support linux..


basically the way i used to be able to tell if it was a linux game or not now no longer works, and instead it shows steamplay, which as far as i can tell NO ONE KNOWS WHAT IT MEANS, ive seen several discussions on here about it and they are all conflicting and no one seems sure and yet now it is showing that icon instead of one that i used to make decisions on the purchase of hundreds of games..

as an example, don't starve supports linux fine, but it doesn't show the linux icon anymore

does the long dark support linux? does outlast?

this seems like a step backwards for linux support or at least its confusing..
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Showing 1-15 of 28 comments
thom-22 Jun 21, 2015 @ 1:53pm 
I thought SteamPlay meant ( SteamOS + Linux ) now?

It used to mean Win + Mac, before Linux was supported. So, yeah, confusing.
Last edited by thom-22; Jun 21, 2015 @ 1:53pm
#1
Brujeira Jun 21, 2015 @ 1:59pm 
You're both getting confused. That Steam symbol before the word 'SteamPlay' actually refers to SteamOS - Linux, in other words. They replaced the penguin symbol with the Steam symbol to push their own brand of Linux... and the Steam Machines that run it.
#2
coalraker Jun 21, 2015 @ 1:59pm 
Just got Witcher 2, Divinity: Original Sin and Civ4 full edition, all tagged as Steamplay. Not a single one will install. smh. Mint 17.
#3
Brujeira Jun 21, 2015 @ 2:01pm 
Originally posted by coalraker:
Just got Witcher 2, Divinity: Original Sin and Civ4 full edition, all tagged as Steamplay. Not a single one will install. smh. Mint 17.

Try asking for help in the individual forums for said games.
#4
Satoru Jun 21, 2015 @ 2:05pm 
Steam play only means

"you get all versions of the game no matter which you buy"


https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=9439-QHKN-1308
The individual icons show the OS compatibility
Last edited by Satoru; Jun 21, 2015 @ 2:07pm
#5
intangir Jun 21, 2015 @ 10:57pm 
^ yea so it seems like a huge stepback for linux,.. now instead of showing linux users which games they can play on their platform, it instead shows a worthless icon that pretty much helps and benefits no one.. and possibly fools you into buying games you can't even play
Last edited by intangir; Jun 21, 2015 @ 10:57pm
#6
Brujeira Jun 22, 2015 @ 1:47am 
Uh, no. All Valve have done is change an icon on the store page from a penguin to a Steam symbol. It's had no effect on any compatibilty issues you'd have while trying to get the game working.

Originally posted by coalraker:
Just got Witcher 2, Divinity: Original Sin and Civ4 full edition, all tagged as Steamplay. Not a single one will install. smh. Mint 17.

Having had a more thorough look, Divinity and Civ 4 don't have Linux versions and never have. So you should:

1. Go to the Witcher 2 forum and see if anyone there can help you get it working.
2. Stop assuming that the word 'SteamPlay' means 'works on Linux' because it doesn't. Look for the Steam logo for SteamOS compatibility instead.
Last edited by Brujeira; Jun 22, 2015 @ 1:48am
#7
Lycairin Jun 22, 2015 @ 2:42am 
Originally posted by coalraker:
Just got Witcher 2, Divinity: Original Sin and Civ4 full edition, all tagged as Steamplay. Not a single one will install. smh. Mint 17.

Here's what we know.

-SteamOS is a debian linux built system.
-Linux have a lot of distros with a lot of different repositories (that will make you mad when a "not enough boot space notif pops up". )
-Devs that have recently made their games have linux support will cannibalize itself often.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Might as well download the missing llb packages to run a SteamOS game (if they recommend any).

After installing a game that says it has linux support, quickly verify the integrity of the game.
#8
Dusk of Oolacile Jun 22, 2015 @ 3:14am 
Originally posted by coalraker:
Just got Witcher 2, Divinity: Original Sin and Civ4 full edition, all tagged as Steamplay. Not a single one will install. smh. Mint 17.
Must be a temporary bug. Linux builds exist and usually install fine. (Some games require a 64-bit distro.)

The icon issue the thread is about also suggests some temporary bug.
#9
Marble Jun 22, 2015 @ 4:46am 
Originally posted by LOLCAT:
The icon issue the thread is about also suggests some temporary bug.
Not a bug, the Steam icon means it will work on SteamOS.

Originally, Linux games on Steam were meant to work with Ubuntu and they used the Tux icon. Now that they have their own Linux distro they are using the icon for that instead.
#10
Dusk of Oolacile Jun 22, 2015 @ 4:54am 
Originally posted by Canti:
Originally posted by LOLCAT:
The icon issue the thread is about also suggests some temporary bug.
Not a bug, the Steam icon means it will work on SteamOS.

Originally, Linux games on Steam were meant to work with Ubuntu and they used the Tux icon. Now that they have their own Linux distro they are using the icon for that instead.
There was no steam icon, that's what it is all about. Only windows and mac appeared at that time.
#11
Satoru Jun 22, 2015 @ 6:52am 
Civ4 never supported Linux as far as I remember

It always had the 2 entries for Mac and Windows but never Linux

Witcher 2 has the Linux compatibility icon so that's not broken either

OriginalSin doesn't have a Linux version yet


Aka there's nothing "wrong" other than the icon changing. That's it
Last edited by Satoru; Jun 22, 2015 @ 6:55am
#12
RedLightning Jun 22, 2015 @ 9:05am 
Just when I thought linux was getting a boost.. Steambox falls on Tux. Seriously .. why they cannot use "Steambox/Linux" instead..

Damned massive companies.. get so big.. they do not care what they do.
#13
Das Frettchen Jun 23, 2015 @ 4:34pm 
I think the issue (I've seen two other threads about this and noted this in both of them upon realizing it myself) is that the SteamOS logo (tiny Steam icon) and the Steamplay logo (just the word/words "Steamplay"), when placed close to each other, appear to be all one logo, so people are, in the absence of the much more/better differentiated Tux logo, looking for the Steamplay logo as meaning compatible on Linux, when they should be looking for the SteamOS logo.

I think Valve has dropped the ball on this one, since, like I said, the SteamOS and Steamplay logo appear to be all one thing when set next to each other as they are. It's not the most confusing thing in the world, but it's still not a very good visual cue.
#14
whodat Jun 27, 2015 @ 5:53am 
Thanks for the answer. I had the exact same confusion and actually retorted to opening up the store page for each game and checking the game description/system requirements if they support Linux.

Jeez Valve, just add a vertical separator between SteamOS logo and SteamPlay. AND add an description/alt message to the logo.
#15
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Date Posted: Jun 21, 2015 @ 12:56pm
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