I'd think Proton is something to boast about.

https://github.com/ValveSoftware/Proton

Proton is kinda the admission that even on Linux, Windows is still the better platform though.

I’m 100% not complaining because Proton has enabled me to play a libraries worth of games that were previously unavailable but it’s not exactly a victory Linux. The future might look like devs testing a little bit in Proton as “Linux support.”

I would disagree; "Better Platform" != "Supported Platform".

While it is an admission Linux gaming was hardly going to take off on its own from a cold start, it allows people to use the platform that makes more sense for them. With the increased capability of Linux+Proton as a platform, its horizons are pushed and it makes more sense for more people.

The only possible downside here is the potential for a developer to neglect Linux support now that people "can just run it in proton", netting Linux users a couple losses of what-would-have-been native ports. However, I believe the increase to the viability of Linux gaming overall makes up for it.

Especially, considering that more linux gamers increase ROI for a native linux version.

Not by much, considering the results of Steam's hardware survey.

Maybe, but a fairer statement would be "even on Linux, Windows, without the Microsoft, is a better gaming platform."

Not exactly, the the correct obvious admission is that Linux is a better Windows, as an extra translation layer for Win32 API to Linux/POSIX still has better performance (most games I play on Proton) than native Windows.

They launched Artifact in 2018, Underlords in 2019 all with first class, first day support for Linux.

Half-Life Alyx is coming in 2020.

The meme that Valve doesn't make games isn't real.

HL:A is still Windows-only last I checked; haven't seen anything official indicating that Linux support is to be expected.

Probably because steamVR on linux is still pretty buggy and missing core features.

Artifact and Underlords are both mobile-style 'board games'.

So sure, Alyx is coming. But before that is a six and a half year gap in major games.

And if you discount CS:GO and Dota 2 as remakes, then you're looking at Portal 2 all the way back in 2011.

The meme might not be real but they're also not doing themselves many favors. People want a certain couple games, value does whatever they can to avoid it.

Even to hold people over they could have resurrected HL:DM and made it F2P.

You're missing counter strike: global offensive and dota2, which do work on linux natively. They're definitely in the top 3 in terms of general popularity for their genres.

All source games work on linux, but the new half life game might be the first exception. Proton works pretty well for other games, but there are hard blockers on some (for ex: the anticheat in pubg)

They have been providing a lot of tooling to help other people release games on Linux. Or attempt compatibility

They've had an autochess game in early access for a few months. It officially comes out next month.