Valve Coder Announces Development of HDR Implementation for Linux

A known coder from Valve has announced that it is developing an iteration of High Dynamic Range (HDR) for Linux, as first reported by GameRant.

This is seen as a major technological milestone, as Valve, the company behind the popular gaming platform Steam and classic PC games such as Half-Life and Counter-Strike, is actively working to position Linux as a viable alternative to Windows for gamers.

HDR for Linux

HDR is a display technology that allows for a wider range of colors and higher contrast, resulting in more realistic and vibrant images. It has become increasingly popular in gaming, with many newer games and consoles supporting the feature. However, it has been largely unavailable on Linux up until now.

The announcement of HDR for Linux is seen as a significant step forward for Valve, as the company is heavily invested in promoting Linux as a gaming platform. Its version of the operating system, SteamOS, is set to release as a free installation that can be run on most modern PCs. Support for features such as HDR will be important in this effort, as it will help to make Linux a more attractive option for gamers.

Valve coder Pierre-Loup Griffais has announced that HDR is now available on Linux, citing the work of Joshua Ashton, a Linux contributor and Valve contractor. Griffais has shared screenshots showing that the feature currently works in Halo Infinite, Death Stranding, and Deep Rock Galactic, though it is not yet ready for full release.

A Rocky Start

The availability of HDR on Linux is particularly exciting news for users of Valve's handheld gaming PC, the Steam Deck. GameRant tells us that while the original iteration of the device only supports SDR content, the planned upgrades for the next version focus heavily on display and battery improvements, suggesting that HDR may be included in future versions.

However, it should be noted that not all of the recent news from Valve has been positive. Just ahead of the holiday season, the Steam Deck received an update that caused issues for many players.

The update, which was intended to standardize the way SD cards are mounted in the operating system, ended up breaking game and file access for many users. Valve quickly reverted the change, but it is expected to be relaunched in the future.

Overall, the development of HDR for Linux is a major milestone for Valve and the gaming industry. It represents a significant step forward in the company's efforts to position Linux as a viable alternative to Windows for gaming. It will help to make SteamOS a more attractive option for gamers.

While there have been some setbacks, it is clear that Valve is committed to improving and expanding the capabilities of its platform and devices, and the development of HDR for Linux is a testament to that commitment.