Linux gaming growth: SteamOS share exceeds three percent on Steam as hardware makers take notice
Linux gaming has reached a new milestone on Steam. Based on Valve's voluntary Steam Hardware and Software Survey for October 2025, Linux and SteamOS together now account for just over three percent of all responding Steam users, the highest figure ever recorded.
While three percent may sound modest, it signals the steady rise of Linux-based gaming led by the Steam Deck and a growing number of handheld PCs and mini PCs that ship with open-source operating systems such as Bazzite and HoloISO.
A post by @SlashdotMedia on X highlighted the milestone, drawing attention to the official survey data and growing recognition of Linux as a viable gaming platform.
For the broader hardware ecosystem, the figure may mark a turning point where Linux support becomes a measurable performance factor rather than an afterthought.
The shift is starting to influence hardware development across the industry. GPU driver optimisation, firmware tuning and SoC power management for Linux platforms are increasingly being treated as mainstream engineering priorities. As adoption grows, component vendors and PC manufacturers are expected to expand official driver validation, thermal optimisation and battery calibration for Mesa and Proton environments.
This milestone also reflects the gradual decline of Windows 10 usage and the wider acceptance of cross-platform software ecosystems. For hardware reviewers and PC builders, Linux is no longer a niche but an established part of the performance landscape that deserves consistent benchmarking and long-term support.
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