Linux Devs Unite to Launch Open Gaming Collective
▼ Summary
– The Open Gaming Collective (OGC) is a new group formed to advance Linux gaming by centralizing development on key components like kernel patches and gaming packages.
– The collective was announced by Universal Blue, the developer of the Bazzite Linux distro, and includes founding members like Nobara, ChimeraOS, and Asus Linux.
– The OGC aims to improve the overall Linux gaming experience through better hardware compatibility, reduced duplicated efforts, and a more unified ecosystem.
– As part of this shift, the Bazzite distribution will adopt the OGC kernel, switch its input framework, and integrate features like RGB control into the Steam UI.
– Bazzite also plans to share its patches with the OGC and work to get its improvements incorporated into upstream projects.
The landscape of gaming on Linux is poised for a significant leap forward with the formation of a new collaborative alliance. The Open Gaming Collective (OGC) unites several prominent projects in a shared mission to streamline and enhance the open-source gaming experience. Announced by Universal Blue, the team behind the gaming-focused Bazzite distribution, this initiative aims to centralize development on crucial components like kernel patches, input tooling, and essential gaming packages such as gamescope. The goal is to foster better hardware compatibility, reduce duplicated work, and create a more unified and powerful ecosystem for all Linux gamers.
Joining Universal Blue as founding members are a diverse array of projects, including the Nobara and ChimeraOS distributions, the Playtron platform, Fyra Labs, PikaOS, ShadowBlip, and Asus Linux. This broad coalition reflects a strategic shift from isolated development to coordinated effort. While the variety of Linux distributions remains a key strength, shared work on foundational gaming elements promises to elevate the experience for every user, regardless of their chosen distro. As the announcement states, the philosophy is that “a win for one project becomes a win for everyone.”
For users of the Bazzite distribution, this new direction will bring several tangible changes. The system will transition to using the OGC kernel and will replace its current HHD input framework with InputPlumber. Furthermore, features like RGB lighting control and fan management will be integrated directly into the Steam user interface for greater convenience. Universal Blue has also committed to sharing its modifications to various Valve software packages with the collective and will work to upstream these improvements wherever possible.
This collaborative model represents a mature step for the Linux gaming community. By pooling resources and expertise on the underlying technology that powers gaming across different systems, the OGC can accelerate progress that benefits the entire platform. The result should be a more stable, compatible, and feature-rich environment that makes Linux an even more compelling choice for gamers seeking an open-source alternative.
(Source: The Verge)
