Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET
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ZDNET key takeaways
- Valve is set to release a new gaming console in 2026.
- The Steam Machine will run the Linux OS.
- The console also doubles as a PC.
According to Gaming On Linux, the market share for Steam on Linux hit a high of 3% in 2025. Although that sounds paltry to some, for the Linux community, it was a major milestone because it proved that Linux is gaining ground in the gaming world.
I feel almost silly celebrating such a low number, but given how long I’ve been covering Linux, I’ve seen that number below 1%. It’s been a slow climb up a very large hill.
When I first started with Linux, playing games was limited to a scant few, mostly along the lines of solitaire. A few years later saw the rise of games like Frozen Bubble (which I really enjoyed). Then came Wine, which opened up a whole new world of gaming on Linux.
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In those early years, running games on Wine was not only a challenge but also very hit and miss. Some games would work, some would partially work, but most wouldn’t work at all.
Now, according to Tom’s Hardware, nearly 90% of Windows games run on Linux. Wow. I wasn’t sure I’d ever see that number.
Things get steamy
If we go back in time, 2003 to be specific, a certain company released a certain gaming platform. That company is Valve, and the platform is Steam. As the years progressed, it became obvious that Valve was serious about gaming on Linux. Very serious.
Steam made it easy to run Windows games on Linux.
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As I see it, there’s one problem Steam on PCs faces: not every person wants to play games on their PC. As of 2024, just over half of gamers prefer to game on their PCs. However, that shows a majority, which leaves almost half of gamers who prefer consoles.
That’s not insignificant. I, for one, never play games on my PC. Why? I work at my PC and don’t want to equate work with such activities. I want that world to be separate.
There’s a better reason: gaming on consoles is just easier. That’s one of the reasons why nearly half of gamers prefer consoles.
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That’s good news for Linux because Valve announced a new console, the Steam Machine, that will be released in 2026. The Steam Machine will be powered by Linux and the KDE Plasma desktop environment.
Not only will the Steam Machine allow you to easily play all types of games on Linux, but it will also serve as a regular PC. This is going to change the landscape of gaming — especially on the Linux side of things.
Linux will have a massive 2026
Because of the Steam Machine, I predict we’ll see that 3% skyrocket in the coming year. My guess is that Linux will break into the double-digit realm for gaming, which will also drive Linux usage.
Say, for example, Valve sells 100,000 Steam Machines very quickly. That’s an instant bump of 100,000 new Linux users. If the Steam Machine gains popularity, that number will continue to rise, which could lead to Linux having its best year ever.
I would go so far as to say that Linux will have a massive 2026, thanks to the Steam Machine.
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That rise in popularity will not be limited to the Steam Machine. I believe, as more and more users buy into the new device, they’ll be using the desktop component and finally discover just how powerful and easy Linux is. People will all of a sudden know about Linux, and the more they use it, the more they’ll want to use it.
Suffice it to say, the Steam Machine is going to do wonders for Linux. I see this new gaming console as a gateway to the open-source operating system, and it’s going to have a very positive impact.
I’ve been staking the “year of Linux” claim for a very long time, but I think I can finally say (with a measure of confidence) that 2026 will be the year of Linux.
Thank you, Valve
I’ll certainly be purchasing a Steam Machine and cannot wait to see KDE Plasma on my television. I hope the upcoming console sells out quickly to prove to Valve that Linux can, in fact, power just about anything.
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As of now, there has only been speculation on the price of the Steam Machine. I’ve seen anywhere between $500 and $1,000 as a retail price, but I would guess it’ll land somewhere in the $600 to $800 range. Valve will most likely settle on a price that’s comparable to the current crop of gaming consoles.
Thank you, Valve, for understanding the power and flexibility that is Linux.
