Since Steam currently has an active beta for GNU/Linux, and already over 60,000 people have signed up for this beta, I think it would be a great opportunity for Bethesda to consider porting the DirectX version of Skyrim to OpenGL and officially support GNU/Linux. This in turn would also mean more support and knowledge when dealing with the PS3 version, which also employs OpenGL. I am aware that I can already run Skyrim through WINE, and I currently run Morrowind through WINE, but this is not what I'm asking for; I want a native version.

The reason I bring this up is not because I run an OS and I think Bethesda should get on their hands and knees for my needs - Gabe Newell has been publically quoted time and time again saying the future is in GNU/Linux, and that Windows 8 is an atrocious mess. Seeing as Skyrim is already fully integrated with Steam (if we like it or not), I think this could be a wonderful opportunity for a native version. I really believe this GNU/Linux version of Steam is going to take off, and others do too. It's already been proven to be a better platform overall, with Left 4 Dead 2 running at more FPS on identical settings than it does on Win7.

I believe this could be a great opportunity for gamesas to branch out and help bring a great AAA title to Steam for Linux. Does anyone have thoughts on this? Also, will edit this post with sources soon.

Gabe Newell was just talking out of his rear end because the Microsoft App Store is an alternative and therefore competition to the steam shop. Therefore, he does not like Win8.

I guess Bethesdas priorities are rather getting things straight for a certain console with millions of people behind it rather than focusing on an entirely new platform.

If you're referring to PS3, PS3 uses OpenGL, and GNU/Linux uses OpenGL. Win/win situation there, GNU/Linux can be an afterthought.

Also, how is Gabe talking out of his ass if they manage to make games run faster than on Windows with a very small team in 2 weeks?

If BGS makes a TESVI, there probably will be a Linux version of it. I wouldn't count on a Skyrim one although it would be a good surprise if they did it.

I honestly consider that PR stunts. 3D Gaming on Linux is a topic that has come up several times during the last 15 years or so. Valve all of a sudden finding the magic switch to make it a spectecular idea is something I simply don't buy.

And it's not as easy as just "Hey, let's port ... um ... Shaders to OpenGL and we're done.". The last time I tried (been some time), drivers were a horrible mess. I honestly don't see AAA titles in Linux anywhere soon.

Linux is stupid I used it for 1 year I can't get used to it it's ok but there is no practical use for it Windows 8 svcks because of the tile interface that they call "Metro" it has so it can work with tablets but you can change it to look like Windows 7 with the traditional Windows interface.

Gabe Newell is just made that the app store that Windows 8 has is just a competition with Steam.

While some people use and play on Linux and some Indie Video Game Developers and some coders and modders use Linux. It's just not a practical use for many people and some people don't even prefer Linux like myself. Also DirecX from Microsoft is better than OpenGL DirectX has way more capabilities of rendering graphics than OpenGL does. Windows is the best OS by far even MAC OS X svcks. Windows is here to stay for many more years maybe even many more decades.

Sorry that is the reality Linux is ok it doesn't svck but it has no practical use for many people while Linux got 60,000 people signing up there could be 1,000,000 world wide that use Linux. But there are 700,000,000 people world wide that use Windows 2 billion if you count Schools, Businesses, and Government Agencies using it.

That's not true in the slightest.

You may want to check your facts. Most servers run some form of a Unix-like OS, as do most supercomputers. Linux is great for those who don't want to deal with Windows. Windows takes up a lot of resources, far more than Linux. Linux is able to be customized. The list of why Linux is great and useful is incredibly long.

I know most servers run some form of a Unix-like OS and most supercomputers as well. I just said Linux is great for some people who don't want to deal with Windows. Here is what I said I will quote it.

"While some people use and play on Linux and some Indie Video Game Developers and some coders and modders use Linux. It's just not a practical use for many people and some people don't even prefer Linux like myself. Also DirecX from Microsoft is better than OpenGL DirectX has way more capabilities of rendering graphics than OpenGL does. Windows is the best OS by far even MAC OS X svcks. Windows is here to stay for many more years maybe even many more decades".

It is true that Windows takes up a lot of resources, far more than Linux. Yeah Linux is able to be customized since it's a free open Source Code OS. Is it still free? Been a long time since I last used it.

I still think DIrectX is better than OpenGL.

For many people Linux is still not a practical OS to use like myself I used Linux for 1 year and hated it but it is ok that's all I have to say I love Windows interface more though.

Sorry that is the reality Linux is ok it doesn't svck but it has no practical use for many people while Linux got 60,000 people signing up there could be 1,000,000 world wide that use Linux. But there are 700,000,000 people world wide that use Windows 2 billion if you count Schools, Businesses, and Government Agencies using it.

I agree. Furthermore, Linux is a lot more congenial that Windows or Mac.

You are dead wrong. Linux is very practical for many people.

The kernel itself is the basis for many things. An Android phone? It runs on top of the Linux kernel. Routers? Generally a form of Linux. Linux is big among developers as well.

There's a whole slew of penguins that'd argue the fact that Windows is actually highly inferior to Linux.

nVidia is improving drivers because of Steams adoption of Linux.

http://nvidianews.nvidia.com/Releases/NVIDIA-Delivers-Massive-Performance-Boost-to-Linux-Gaming-8ac.aspx

I don't want to be a butt, but wasn't this about Linux as a platform for AAA games like Skyrim? If any of the three OS named here were downright "bad", they would not have been widely used, praised and hated for ... decades?

I can only repeat that Valve's Gabe Newell's rant about Win8 was in no way based on facts - At least I wasn't able to find any. I can only see him spotting direct competition and entering self defense mode.

I know Android phones run on Linux kernel as well as routers I have 2 routers actually that uses it yes Linux is big among developers as well I said some coders and modders use linux after I said some Indie Video Game Developers use Linux and to coders I meant all forms like from big video game development companies, software development companies not just people who learn Soruce Code for the first time at home or college.

But tell it to the 700,000,000 people that use it worldwide or the Schools, Businesses, and Government Agencies that make up the 2 billion total world wide. A family member of mine works at one of Intel's HQ here in California and they just recently upgraded all their 5,000 OS's from Windows 7 to Windows 8 and my family member he asked why not use Linux the manager said there is no real reason to use it it has lots of nice customizable features but our company doesn't need it yet as well as another family member of mine that works alongside with CPS in a non profit organization they also upgraded to Windows 8.

Epic sentence is epic.

Are you being sarcastic or serious?