Steam for Linux is finally going 64-bit. Valve’s October 15 Steam Client Beta update moves the Linux client to a 64-bit application and changes how it runs across distributions, giving Linux gamers something more interesting than the usual collection of interface tweaks and crash fixes.
There is a catch to keep in mind before celebrating: this is a beta release. Valve has announced the changes for people testing that branch, so users running the regular Steam client should not assume they already have the new version.
Alongside the architecture change, Steam now runs inside a Steam Runtime container. Valve says this should give the client a more consistent experience across Linux distributions, using the same technology already used by Steam games.
That second change deserves attention, too. Linux distributions can ship different versions of the software libraries an application needs. A runtime container gives Steam a more predictable environment, which should help Valve reduce problems caused by those differences. Whether you prefer Fedora, Ubuntu, or another distribution, fewer distribution-specific headaches would be welcome.
Valve’s release notes state, “The Steam client is now a 64bit application.” However, the announcement does not promise higher frame rates or provide performance benchmarks. A change to the client architecture also does not turn existing 32-bit games into 64-bit software, so readers should avoid treating this as a reason to start removing compatibility packages from their systems.
The Linux section includes one other fix: Valve has addressed a problem that prevented the Steam updater interface from appearing for some users. It is a smaller item beside the runtime changes, but an updater that fails to show itself can make an otherwise routine task frustrating.
Beyond Linux, the beta introduces Steam Achievement Sets, a way for developers to organize achievements into groups for a base game and its downloadable content. Developers can add DLC achievements through sets without breaking game completion, and completed sets stay completed when new ones arrive.
That could make achievement hunting less aggravating. Finishing a set should continue to count even after a developer adds another batch of challenges, while seasonal achievements and those that can no longer be earned can be archived. Valve has also updated the Achievements page and the displays that summarize achievement progress.
Remote Play gets a Display Style setting for situations where the streamed game and the receiving device use different aspect ratios. The setting allows stretching and zooming, giving players more control over how the picture fills their screen.
Other changes include a notification settings layout designed to work better at different window sizes, improved offline support for the library activity feed, and fixes for events that previously failed to load. Valve has also addressed memory leaks in streaming and controller code, along with rare crashes and general stability issues.
Big Picture Mode will now show background artwork on the home screen when High Contrast is enabled. A Steam Controller firmware fix also addresses controllers turning themselves back on after being shut down while docked to the puck.
For Linux users, though, the client architecture and runtime container are the reasons to pay attention. Moving Steam itself to 64-bit is overdue, and a more consistent runtime could make supporting different distributions easier. The next test is how well those changes hold up during beta testing and when Valve brings them to the stable client.
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