SteamVR for Linux now in Beta
SteamVR for Linux now in Beta
Valve has just launched SteamVR for Linux, allowing developers to create Linux content for the HTC Vive. The program is now in beta and will require Vulkan-based drivers to function. Users will also be limited to ‘direct mode’, which means you won’t be able to display content on both your HTC Vive and your monitor simultaneously.
Developers with NVIDIA hardware will need version 375.27.10 of the NVIDIA Developer Beta Driver for Linux, which can be downloaded via NVIDIA’s own website. For Ubuntu users, there’s also this PPA.
We’re now live with a developer build of SteamVR for Linux! https://t.co/UbsEC01eDh
— Pierre-Loup Griffais (@Plagman2) 21 February 2017
For AMD GPUs, you’ll need a pre-release version of the open source radv driver. Valve has provided this specific driver on their GitHub page. Intel iGPUs are not (currently) supported, and Linux OpenVR development will require Unity version 5.6.
You’ll also likely need some new udev rules. You can read everything about that on Valve’s GitHub page.
Since the program is only in beta so far, there are some known issues. Base Station power management and headset audio device switching are yet to be implemented, and desktop view in the dashboard currently doesn’t work.
It’s very exciting to finally see Virtual Reality become a thing on Linux. Valve is currently working on three VR-games itself, and it’s likely they will make their way to Linux, too.
You can join the discussion on SteamVR for Linux on the OC3D Forums.