Building a Linux-based Game Machine

[E.S. Rosenberg]

2017-06-14 19:42 GMT+03:00 Geoffrey Mendelson <geoffreymendelson at gmail.com>:
> I spoke to my sons who are gamers and both said the choice of steam games
> under linux is very limited and many are buggy.
Though more limited then windows the statement is not accurate
anymore, Valve are pushing devs hard and a lot of top titles are
available for Linux as a result (without even speaking about the
option of running [Steam] games through of Wine).
>
> The both suggested that you should buy the games they want, not the ones
> that fit your politics.
This is true.
>
> As someone who uses Windows, Linux (ubuntu x64 and android) and iOS daily, I
> agree with them.
>
> Geoff.
>
>
> On Wed, Jun 14, 2017, 17:45 E.S. Rosenberg <esr+linux-il at g.jct.ac.il> wrote:
>>
>> 2017-06-14 17:42 GMT+03:00 E.S. Rosenberg <esr+linux-il at g.jct.ac.il>:
>> > As has been said a bunch of times already get a decent GPU without
>> > that SteamOS is a no-go, also use the proprietary drivers otherwise
>> > you won't get performance.
>> Should really have said: SteamOS and/or up-to-date gaming.
>> >
>> > These days there are actually quite a lot of nice and even very good
>> > top-tier titles available for Linux through either Steam, GOG, or
>> > Humblebundle.
>> >
>> > I am running Steam on Ubuntu 17.04 on a i7-9xx [1st gen] with an
>> > nVidia GT5xx IIRC with 8G RAM and a 1920x1200 [16:10] screen some
>> > games require more juice (this is an older box in the end of the day)
>> > some don't.
>> >
>> > As far as games that leverage the Steam controllers go your best bet
>> > is probably Steam with a caveat most reviewers say that the
>> > steam-controller is best for allowing couch based playing of games
>> > that were meant to be played with a keyboard and mouse while other
>> > controllers (PS-style like Logitech F310 which is pretty cheap or
>> > X-Box controllers) are much more comfortable for doing 'console' style
>> > gaming.
>> > Myself I only own Logitech Rumblepads (precursor of the F310), I have
>> > been intending to get a Steamcontroller to try it out but not high
>> > enough priority, please let us know what you think of said
>> > controllers.
>> >
>> > HTH,
>> > Eliyahu - אליהו
>> >
>> > 2017-06-14 12:29 GMT+03:00 Gilboa Davara <gilboad at gmail.com>:
>> >> On Tue, Jun 13, 2017 at 2:43 PM, Amichai Rotman <amichai at iglu.org.il>
>> >> wrote:
>> >>>
>> >>> Hey All,
>> >>>
>> >>> I'd like to build my own Linux-based Game Machine, for the kids.
>> >>> Their original request was a Console Machine (Sony PS4) but I thought
>> >>> I'd educate them with the Libre Software values...
>> >>> I didn't realize how hard it will be!
>> >>> They saved up their allowance and bought the following:
>> >>>
>> >>> Asus H10 Mini ATX Motherboard/
>> >>> Intel i5 CPU w/integrated GPU
>> >>> 2X8 GB DDR4 RAM
>> >>> 256GB SSD
>> >>> 2X SteamControllers
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> I'd add a decent, preferably nVidia based graphics card.
>> >> Depending on the games you want to play, anything above GTX 950 will
>> >> do just fine.
>> >>
>> >> That said, you didn't mention what type of display is being used, E.g.
>> >> FHD T.V or LCD.
>> >> (E.g. a 4K display will require 1070 or above).
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>> My original idea was to install SteamOS on it. It wouldn't install -
>> >>> got a black screen after the first boot.
>> >>> I ended up installing regular Ubuntu 16.04 and Steam client.
>> >>
>> >> I'm running normal steam on home workstation (Fedora 25, Xeons,
>> >> GTX1080, 4K) and my laptop (Fedora 25, i7, GTX 1080, 4K).
>> >> Can't say that I had any issues getting everything up and running.
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>> I am not a Gamer, so I find it hard to configure the Steam Controllers
>> >>> and finding games - and make them work.
>> >>
>> >> Sadly enough, I don't use the Stream controller, so I have zero
>> >> experience with it.
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>> My kids are 11 and 12 years old, and don't have the skills necessary -
>> >>> yet...
>> >>> A friend from work told me to cut my losses and buy them the PS4 with
>> >>> a couple of controllers and thus get rid of the head ache...
>> >>> I am kinda tired of this - the whole thing started last September.
>> >>> Almost a year ago!
>> >>> I am writing to you with hope that one of you out there will be
>> >>> willing to come over and help me out with making it work.
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> Specific issues?
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>> I live in Haifa.
>> >>> Any thoughts / pointers / ideas / constructive criticism will be
>> >>> appreciated.
>> >>> Amichai Rotman.
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> PS4 / XBOX should be (far) easier, but far less useful if you want to
>> >> the do anything else with the machine, beyond gaming.
>> Don't forget PS4 actually runs some form of *BSD so that wouldn't be a
>> total abandonment of principles ;)
>>
>> HTH,
>> Eliyahu - אליהו
>> >>
>> >> - Gilboa
>> >>
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>>
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>
> --
>
> From my tablet please pardon mistakes and lack of replies.
> Geoffrey Mendelson
> 4X1GM/N3OWJ
> Jerusalem Israel