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Linux updates tease Valve 'Galileo' and 'Sephiroth' - Steam Deck refresh? Or new VR?

https://www.gamingonlinux.com/2023/09/linux-updates-tease-valve-galileo-and-sephiroth-steam-deck-refresh-or-new-vr/

Here's something that could be exciting but also could be a whole lot of nothing. So keep expectations firmly in check, but work submitted for Linux kernel 6.6 show something interesting from Valve. Potentially a Steam Deck refresh or their new VR headset perhaps?

18 comments

Dax87

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My assumption is some steam deck refresh or other handheld-related thing.

The comment line above the code block containing Galileo, sephiroth, etc, says "Jupiter Devices.". Steam deck code name was "valve-jupiter"

Valve Index 2 is code named "Deckard" I believe.

Not sure of the significance behind the device codename of Galileo, or family of Sephiroth though.

Edit: would be cool if it's a device for both. A portable PC handheld capable enough for VR.

A counterpoint to it being a steam deck is that APUs haven't gotten fast enough to justify a new revision already, but maybe if the justification is that valve is confident that the APUs are fast enough at least for a whole different gaming medium (VR), maybe it's possible?

theragu40

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I think it'd make sense to offer a refreshed device that is either smaller, has better cooling, or both. And maybe an upper tier device with a better screen.

sugar_in_your_tea

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Yup, that's my thought as well.

The main complaints about the Steam Deck are the screen (big bezels and not OLED), battery life, and overall size. So I wouldn't be surprised if they made a Steam Deck mini (smaller total size) and a Stream Deck plus (more battery, more internal storage, and better screen, etc).

gramathy

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Not naming index refreshes after neuromancer characters is borderline criminal

UnfortunateShort

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I mean, if they're gonna realease a handheld with a 3 nm SOC, they're probably already testing samples or are about to do so. A year ahead of release doesn't sound too unrealistic

priapus

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I would personally bet on Steam Machine 2.0 and Valve Index 2.0

Evilphd666

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Code name Sepiroth - GabeN will never be just a memory.

Veraxus

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My hope is that they're working on a SteamDeck-based mini gaming desktop/console.

geelgroenebroccoli

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They could call it a Steam Machine! Sales will be massive

tormeh

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Steam Deck OLED?

UnfortunateShort

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Not sure they're gonna do that. From their perspective, a bigger refresh coupled with a price hike would make much more sense. Maybe adding hall effect joysticks, new SOC, USB4 for external GPUs and the like, besides a new screen.

rederick29

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It feels too early for a new Steam Deck, I would think that would take another 2 or 3 years. I would love something like a standalone VR though, but VR on linux is not in the best shape yet so I'm not sure how that would go.

Blaiz0r

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Maybe a controller for the SteamDeck

sudotstar

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The reason this is known is because this supposed device is using the same AMD APU used in the Steam Deck. It's unlikely that a standalone controller would have a dedicated APU like that without becoming a full-on portable gaming device of its own.

Blaiz0r

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There are two devices no? I wonder if one is a console and one the controller for it.

Gotoro

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Please just finish proton

sugar_in_your_tea

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That's not something that can be finished, it'll keep being a long process of fixing issues as they come up.

But I agree, more work on that is absolutely welcome.

sudotstar

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Additionally, it's devices like these, that have proven successful in the market, that incentivize Valve to continue Proton's development. It's hard to see given the already insane trajectory Proton's development was on before the Steam Deck, but now that getting games running on Linux (in at least some form) is desirable by many game developers in order to gain Steam Deck support, Proton compatibility guarantees, and the corresponding development to make that happen, have shifted to before the releases of many major AAA games, and that compatibility work has cascading effects for many other games as well.