Playtron plan to launch PlaytronOS, a Linux-based system for gaming

Meh, this reads more like an Android approach than a SteamOS approach to me. Make your stuff really open source and develop it in the open and you got me. Otherwise I will stay with "real" Linux.

Their CEO is also Kirt McMaster, a name some might recognise from Cyanogen.

Ah of course, coming from one of the people who had the chance to make something great and absolutely fucking squandered it.

Nothing gets me more hyped to buy a new device than a shot of bad memories straight in the vein.

First off, what the fuck are those buttons? If I'm buying a controller, the point is buttons. That shit is just touchscreen minus screen and out of the way. I may as well buy a tablet at that point.

On one hand cool, but on the other, just use Bazzite.

Oh yay another vanity distro that solves no problems but creates a ton more and continues to fragment the ecosystem.

A what? ... So a Android gaming handheld by Cynagen people?

Permanently Deleted

I’m very sceptical. I’m fine with their launcher being proprietary, but when they utilize FOSS then just contribute to projects and improve the whole ecosystem. Without exclusivity.

Lie about SteamOS being locked to Steam on their front page is immediate red flag. Yes, it’s Steam-first, the easiest way of running games is, well, through Steam, so obviously it doesn’t offer painless controller friendly way of installing games from other store fronts, but at the same time nothing is locked here and other launchers or games from other stores work fine on SteamOS. The point is fair, but the word choice is ass.

And how exactly integration with something like Epic or GOG would be „first class citizen” without official support/agreements? Do they plan deals with Epic? Is their CEO happy to suddenly support Linux or is it going to be locked down to just the platform? If it’s unofficial, how it will work from the legal standpoint that they advertise potentially paid software with other companies brands as if it was official?

If there will be any form of exclusivity, the PR will be horrible

look I'm sorry I'm getting Gizmondo vibs

Let's see, on one hand we have this list compiled by somebody on Mastodon:

• mockup looks like they're pitching a device.
• mockup is missing critical functionality (buttons)
• infected with cryptocurrency brainworms
• they haven't decided about open source yet
• trash talking existing devices, yet being vaporware itself
• grand claims that have no backing in reality (like Epic, Fortnite, Roblox)

And the article itself has this:

Update 13:34 UTC, 19/03/24: One of the videos Playtron supplied to The Verge, showcasing some tech used on mobile in the article linked below, wasn't even their own and was taken uncredited from another person on YouTube, who hit them with a copyright claim and had it taken down. Not a good look.

I'm betting this is either an outright scam, or some small project by somebody WAAAAY over their head that won't even see the light of day

@mr_MADAFAKA Are they using a single plate for the D pad like those awful modern track pads, or are those super tiny buttons? Either way, those controls look like garbage. Absolutely would not buy.

While steam os is really open I do like the idea of it not being tied to steam. "Games you’ve bought from the Epic Games Store are first-class citizens, too" this is closer to the linux ethos. Hopefully they have a good release.