Jan 162013
 

Linux has had a relatively difficult time in making its impact on market shares for gamers. Dominated by Microsoft and Mac, the gaming network appears to be fairly full. In 2013, though, that could all change. Linux-powered game consoles are on their way and this could greatly impact the way in which games are played and the publishers of these sources of entertainment.

Not sure what to expect in this new year? The following explains more about these Linux-powered offerings and what they could do to the market. Specifically, focus in this article is not the systems themselves, rather, but the relationship and impact their anticipation is already having on the overall nature and scene of the gaming world.




Past

In the past, Linux powered operations have been hindered in several different ways. First, as mentioned prior, the market has seen a focus on Microsoft and Mac offerings that have prevented a clear break in by Linux. Game consoles have left Linux powered games out of the mix and left their offerings as not as popular among users. Very few games have offered a Linux port which means that these games have limited transferability and access. Therefore, they have oft been overlooked and pushed to the side for other ports and options, until now.

Game Consoles

The game consoles that are being developed by Linux and will hit the market are already having an impact. Though other major players are announcing new technologies that will be placed out on the gaming market, these are going to have serious competition from Linux. The reason? Linux is offering two new gaming systems that can impact the market share.

As a result, this can cause an increased demand by consumers for games that utilize a Linux port in sharing the information and gaming experiences. One of the game consoles being offered is backed by the prominent name in gaming known as Valve. Valve has what is known as a Big Picture mode. This Big Picture mode is a technology that is perfect for games that only need to be controlled by a single controller and not multiple tools.

They are working to put the Steam name on Linux, as announced by top executives, and the consumer can benefit from this. That also means heightened want by consumers for the Linux gaming systems. With Steam’s involvement, anticipation abounds as many popular titles of games that they offer now have included a Linux port.

Future

Embracing of Linux by major companies like Valve, who operates the Steam interface, is promising for those that are looking for a new way to experience games and new offering systems. The result could mean that more and more publishers include the Linux port, making the game consoles that will move from beta-testing to market this year, a more lucrative buy. The more notoriety among game makers, the more likely it is that there will be customer demand and customer demand is at the crux of this industry. Now, that is not to say that there will not be issues, but there have been issues with Linux and, more correctly, its reception among game creators.

These will most likely not be all solved this year. However, the growth of these gaming consoles means that there will be an increase in demand for Linux ports to satisfy and grow game clients and this is the best motivator of all. For that reason, Linux gaming consoles are being watched closely by those interested in investing in the market and those already invested in the gaming worlds.

References:
Ouya a new kind of Video Game console
Ouya Gaming Console Seen in Videos Around the Web
Steam Box prototype shown off by Valve at CES
Valve, Xi3 Show Off Mini Linux Gaming PC “Console”
Valve ‘Steam Box’ Console Reportedly Uses Linux


Author Bio: Jason Phillips wrote this article. He is a working as a self employed content writer and guest blogger. He loves to play truck games at Truck Games 365.

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