Ripple effect: One of the most popular computer programs aims to provide a better experience on Linux computers. The Steam client is moving to 64-bit, providing functionality parity with versions designed to run on different operating systems.
A recent Steam client beta update brought the program into the 64-bit era on Linux. The native Linux version of the hugely popular gaming client is now a 64-bit application, meaning it gains access to some significant improvements and hopefully a more reliable software experience.
Until the beta update last week, the main Steam binary ran as a 32-bit application, even on 64-bit Linux distributions. Some components, such as Steamwebhelper, were already 64-bit. Now the main client also uses 64-bit code, which should significantly expand memory access and improve the overall security of the software.
Steam is moving to 64-bit, but Linux users will still need to provide 32-bit libraries and graphics drivers for compatibility reasons. According to Valve, Linux operating systems that only work with 64-bit software are not currently supported, which could further complicate the work of distribution maintainers. The Fedora team decided to abandon support for 32-bit libraries last year, but withdrew the proposal after criticism of Steam compatibility – or lack thereof.
The same beta brings some additional changes to the Steam experience. The gaming client now runs in its own “Steam Runtime” container, which should help the program behave more consistently across different Linux distributions. The same technology is used by Steam games, which can use either 32- or 64-bit code regardless of the client’s architecture.
Another notable change is Steam Achievement Sets, a new way to organize and track in-game achievements across base game releases and additional downloadable content. The sets are also intended to offer developers a new type of seasonal objective. Games that already support the new beta feature include Left 4 Dead 2, Portal 2, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 and more than a dozen others.
Steam’s new 64-bit architecture on Linux represents a significant change as Steam becomes a major driving force behind Linux gaming experiences and products. Most of Valve’s hardware devices are based on SteamOS, which is based on a special version of Arch Linux. Even modders are having a lot of fun using the open source nature of SteamOS to create some interesting handheld projects.
