Valve's Steam to Enter Linux Gaming Beta, and Other Players Entering the Fray

As things continue to heat up on the open source gaming front, Valve is preparing for a  beta test of the Linux version of its popular Steam service, which Valve has promised to deliver by the end of this year. Many Linux gamers are watching this closely, especially after the popularity of Steam for the Mac, and excitement surrounding Linux game platforms such as Ouya (shown here).  Valve had already promised to launch the Steam for Linux beta test in October, but it is a closed beta, and Valve is seeking to fill 1,000 spots for it via an online survey.

It's already been confirmed that the game Left 4 Dead 2 will be part of the initial set of games that Valve delivers for Linux users, and Geek.com reports that the following additional 14 titles will arrive:

• Amnesia: The Dark Project
• Cubemen
• Crusader Kings II
• Dynamite Jack
• Eversion
• Galcon Fusion
• Serious Sam 3: BFE
• Solar 2
• SpaceChem
• Steel Storm
• Superbrothers: Sword and Sworcery EP
• Trine 2
• Waveform
• World of Goo

We've reported on efforts to improve the state of Linux gaming a number of times.
The buzz continues over the open source Ouya gaming platform, which attracted millions of dollars in funding through Kickstarter. Like Valve, it will be a good story to watch in coming months.

And, Desura's digital distribution service caters to Linux gamers. Valve has been a proven player on non-Linux platforms, and it promises to improve the state of Linux gaming substantially.