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Steam on Linux Goes 64-Bit, Running Inside a Steam Runtime Container

Valve's October 15 Steam client beta moves the Linux client to 64-bit inside the same container tech Steam games use. It also adds Achievement Sets and a Remote Play Display Style setting.

By Vet, VetTV Handheld

Valve’s October 15 Steam client beta includes a change Linux users have wanted for years. The Steam client on Linux is now 64-bit and runs inside a Steam Runtime container. It’s still a beta, so here’s exactly what Valve changed and what it means.

The Linux changes

Valve’s patch notes, as reproduced by GamingOnLinux and Steam Deck HQ, list these Linux changes:

  • “The Steam client is now a 64bit application.”
  • “The Steam client now runs inside a Steam Runtime container.” Valve says this “will help the Steam client provide a more consistent experience across multiple distributions. This is the same technology used by Steam games.”
  • A fix for the Steam updater UI failing to show for some users.

A caveat, from the comments rather than from Valve: this doesn’t mean Linux distros can drop 32-bit libraries yet. A GamingOnLinux reader quoted the Steam Runtime 3 beta requirements, which still say x86_64 systems “must support multilib” and need both 32-bit and 64-bit libraries and drivers. Valve’s patch notes don’t mention this either way.

GamingOnLinux’s Liam Squires-Hand also said in the comments that after the update, his Steam Frame connected to SteamVR on his Linux desktop almost instantly. That’s one person’s test, not a Valve claim.

Achievement Sets

The headline feature for everyone is Achievement Sets. Valve explains that developers can now “group their game’s related achievements together in collections.” Examples include single-player and multiplayer sets, or class-based sets. According to Valve’s notes as reported by Steam Deck HQ:

  • Games can group achievements separately for the base game and DLC.
  • DLC achievements can be added in their own sets without breaking your completion of the main game.
  • Each set gets its own progress bar, and finishing one adds a “set complete” trophy to your profile.
  • Your completion is kept even if new achievements are later added to a set.
  • Seasonal or no-longer-obtainable achievements can be archived.
  • The Achievements page has been redesigned.

GamingOnLinux shows Portal 2 as an example, with its achievements split into single-player and co-op sets.

Remote Play and other changes

  • Remote Play: a new “Display Style” setting lets you stretch or zoom the stream when its aspect ratio doesn’t match your screen.
  • General:
    • A redesigned Notifications settings layout.
    • Fixes for memory leaks in game streaming and controller code.
    • Stability fixes.
    • A fix for a date display error affecting users in British Columbia.
  • Library: better offline support for the activity feed.
  • Steam Controller firmware: fixed a controller turning back on after being shut down while docked to the puck.
  • Accessibility: background art now shows on the Big Picture home screen with High Contrast turned on.

What it means for the Deck and Legion Go on SteamOS

GamingOnLinux says Steam Deck and Steam Machine get the same fixes and improvements. Steam Deck HQ says Deck owners can get the update now by setting their update channel to Beta or Preview in System Settings.

My Legion Go runs SteamOS too, but Valve’s notes don’t mention the Legion Go or other third-party handhelds. Achievement Sets and Remote Play’s Display Style are client features, so they should show up anywhere the beta client runs, but I haven’t tested that. The 64-bit and container changes are listed under the Linux client, and none of the sources explain how they affect SteamOS’s Gaming Mode specifically.

Analysis: For SteamOS handhelds, I expect Achievement Sets and the Remote Play display option to be the parts you actually notice. The 64-bit move is mostly a long-term reliability change.

My take

Opinion: It’s been a long time coming. Moving the Linux client to 64-bit and into a container should make Steam behave more consistently across distros. Achievement Sets are also a genuinely nice upgrade for completionists like me.

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Sources

#steam#linux-gaming#steamos#steam-deck#achievements

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