Valve Is Not Commenting On Steam, Source Engine For Linux

Back in 2007 we reported on Valve looking for a senior software engineer to port their Windows-base games to Linux, then in 2008 we said the Source Engine would be coming to Linux based upon our sources (something that we still believe in), later that year we also found a few Linux libraries with the Left 4 Dead game.

This week Valve finally announced Mac OS X support for Steam and the Source Engine. Valve's bringing their delivery platform, Source Engine, and many of their Windows titles over to Apple's Mac OS X platform as their software now supports an advanced OpenGL renderer and they are also using WebKit within Steam. Not only are they supporting Mac OS X, but they are hoping to launch future titles in tandem across Windows and Mac OS X and to basically provide the same level support across operating systems and game consoles. Additionally, those that already purchase games via Steam for Windows, can seamlessly play them on Mac OS X without having to buy the title again or pay any upgrade fees.

Valve's newly-found love for Mac OS X has led many to speculate (such as on our forums) whether the company will finally be announcing Linux support too. There's also others chiming in with their claims about the Source Engine on Linux.

After the Mac OS X announcement this week we followed up with our contacts as well as Valve Corporation to find out their 2010 stance on Linux support. They've declined to comment. There even seems to be some that think their Linux announcement may come today when Gabe Newell, co-founder of Valve, accepts an award at the Game Developers' Conference. But we will just have to wait and see what Valve has to say when they finally address the matter of Linux support.