Arch Linux plays a crucial role in Valve’s plan to expand gaming capabilities to more PC users.
Arch Linux is a versatile, independently developed Linux distribution, first released in March 2002, focusing on minimizing bloatware. The operating system features a compact initial installation and does not have traditional “major” releases; instead, it relies on monthly snapshots to update only the core components of the system.
Since 2022, Valve has used Arch Linux as the foundation for the gaming-focused SteamOS operating system. The company, co-founded by Gabe Newell, has decided to provide developers with a tangible initiative: a “generous” but undefined program to fund two critical aspects of this free open-source operating system.
According to a recent message from distribution maintainer Levente Polyak, Valve and Arch Linux are now working directly together to support two projects that will significantly impact the platform’s future. Polyak confirmed that Valve will provide funding for dedicated development efforts to build build-service infrastructure and a secure signing area.
With financial support from Valve, selected developers will be able to focus on these two new features while volunteers continue to dedicate their limited time to other parts of the project. Polyak noted that the build infrastructure and secure signing area are expected to help address some of the biggest challenges Arch Linux is currently facing.
The collaboration with Valve will help developers accelerate the development process, allowing new features to be developed more quickly than before. The operating system project will continue to follow its standard workflow, with discussions on official mailing lists and requests for comments for any significant changes to the source code.
Polyak believes this partnership will bring great benefits to the future of Arch Linux, and he intends to share more information about the project as development progresses. Discussion and transparency will remain essential elements, supported through both official mailing lists and plans on GitLab.
Valve has been working to establish Linux as a major force in the PC gaming industry for a long time. The company has developed Proton, a compatibility layer inspired by Wine, to provide Linux gamers with efficient translation layers for native Windows APIs, primarily Direct3D 9-12. Recent changes in Proton have even focused on improving compatibility with ARM64 and Android instruction set architectures, suggesting that Valve is considering bringing its famous digital storefront to more computing platforms beyond Windows and Linux.
According to Techspot
