(Credit: Open Game Collective/Bazzite)
Some of the biggest names in Linux gaming projects have announced a new joint venture: the Open Gaming Collective. Together, they hope to reduce redundancy by working collectively on shared interests and common problems for Linux gaming, VideoCardz reports.
They make it clear, though, that they're looking to improve all the individual tools and distributions, not to combine them into a single project.
Linux gaming has gained real traction in recent years, partially driven by Valve's SteamOS project, which has proved successful with the Steam Deck (and probably the upcoming Steam Machine revamp, too). The Open Gaming Collective is now looking to collaborate so they aren't working on the same core problems in parallel.
"Distros can now focus on the features and experience that make them unique, rather than repeating the tasks that are the same. In short: we all have more time to game," the group says.
Founding members include: Bazzite, Asus Linux, ShadowBlip, PikaOS, and Fyra Labs. They also list ChimraOS, Nobara, and Playtron as strategic partners and core contributors, so there's likely to be collaboration with those projects too.
One of the first projects the new group is tackling is an OCG Kernel, a shared gaming-focused Kernel that all the projects can leverage. They're also working on a new downstream fork of Gamescope that will expand hardware support to a wider range of devices.
The group's overarching goal, though, is to enhance Linux gaming and make it a truly viable alternative to Windows. But that doesn't mean they're all going to push their projects together into a single core design. The OCG follows an "Upstream first" policy, meaning that any code produced by the OCG will be intended to live within its original source project, rather than being forked into a new project. This should enable rapid development while keeping Linux gaming healthy long term, the group says.
Other mandates the group maintains in a list on its GitHub include:
- A focus on the gaming experience at its core.
- An inclusive environment for developers so everyone feels heard and can best apply their various skill sets.
- An openness to new ideas to encourage evolution.
- Use open-source technology where possible to remain transparent with users, so they can verify processes and codebases.
- Encourage stability, but lean toward action when problems need to be solved quickly.
Bazzite has already announced several changes to its own workings. It's switching to the InputPlumber input framework used by SteamOS, ChimeraOS, and other Linux gaming platforms. Steam UI will take over some key controls for fans and RGB, and when ready, Bazzite will adopt the new OCG Kernel. It's considering replacing the existing Lutris launcher for the Faugus launcher, too.