Steam for Linux game list leaks out early

October 9, 2012 | 09:15

Tags: #digital-distribution #linux-gaming #pc-gaming #steam-for-linux

Companies: #steam #valve

Entries in Valve's Content Description Record database for Steam have appeared listing native Linux support for a raft of games, giving those looking forward to the digital distribution system's appearance on the open source OS a hint of things to come.

Held by Valve itself, the Content Description Record (CDR) database is used to distribute information regarding available games to the Steam client software. Access, however, is open, which has led to the development of CDR parsers capable of providing data above and beyond that revealed by the Steam client itself. With games appearing in the CDR database ahead of their reveal in the Steam client, this includes pre-release information - and, in this case, support for an as-yet unreleased Linux Steam client.

According to a community list of Steam games with native Linux versions those taking part in the Linux Steam Beta can expect to play a selection of somewhat outdated games at launch comprising Amnesia: The Dark Descent, Crusader Kings 2, Cubemen, Dynamite Jack, Eversion, Galcon Fusion, Serious Sam 3: BFE, Solar 2, SpaceChem, Steel Storm: Burning Retribution, Superbrothers: Sword and Sworcery EP, Trine 2, Waveform and World of Goo.

Of those games, native Linux versions have been available for some time making them obvious choices for Valve to test out its native Linux Steam client while it works on improving the performance of its own first-party titles on the operating system. While a good selection of games, the list is but a small percentage of the overall number of games already listed on Steam which have a Linux port available - suggesting that the quantity could grow rapidly at launch.

With Valve boss Gabe Newell personally overseeing the Steam for Linux client development, and vocal in his dislike for Microsoft's upcoming Windows 8 OS, the Steam Linux client looks on set for a high-profile launch - just nine years after the service appeared on Windows.
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