[AnIdiotOnTheNet]

A key difference, aside from the general Linux experience back then being even worse than it is today, is that they only supported native Linux games. Valve quickly discovered why people generally didn't port to Linux even when Steam provided them a stable targetable runtime.

Now they've come back with a new plan: screw it, we'll just run Windows games on the damn things instead. Combined with FlatPaks and an immutable base system (with KDE instead of user-hostile GNOME), I think they actually have a pretty good shot at replacing Ubuntu as the new de-facto Linux Desktop distro. From there, Year of the Linux Desktop, for gamers at least, looks a bit more plausible.

[pxc]

It's hard to feel secure in the long-term success of Proton, as impressive as it is. As long as the plan is heavily reliant on playing new Windows games, it seems like Microsoft might be able to make some anti-competitive play which some makes it much more expensive, difficult, or slow to maintain or advance Proton. (If targeting Proton becomes a priority for many developers, so that they are hesitant to do Windows development without considering Proton compatibility, I think that risk is mitigated significantly.)

I agree that the other things work in favor of Linux gaming as well. An immutable base system with strong separation from containerized apps seems like an approach more in line with Windows and Mac users' expectations for how app installation works, and clears important footguns away on behalf of power users. KDE also seems like a good base for Windows power users, who value customization but also want a sensible GUI for making such tweaks.

Shouldn't we also note that the Steam Deck seems to be a genuine success where Steam Machines never were? What's the install base of the Steam Deck, and what can we hope for it to grow to? If the Steam Deck can build respectable market share as a 'console', that could be a really, really crucial foothold for making sure that Linux/Proton is worth targeting for publishers.

[slim]

Once steam deck acquires enough popularity the game developers themselves will make sure their next game works on it

[pjmlp]

By letting Valve do the work ensuring Windows games run smoothly on Proton.

[AnIdiotOnTheNet]

At first, right now, yes. But if the Deck continues to be popular then developers themselves will ensure that their games work with proton the same way they make sure their games work on the Switch.

Yeah, there's a chance this all ends like OS/2, but considering how hard Microsoft is working to tank Windows among power users (and who else even still uses a Desktop?) at this point, I'm betting it doesn't.

[pjmlp]

The plan to follow the OS/2 footsteps, turned out great.