this post was submitted on 01 Sep 2025
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Linux Gaming

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[–] 098qwelkjzxc@feddit.uk 18 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

The title doesn't really do this justice, it's an OS that boots directly into PC games loaded onto SD cards, like loading a cartridge in an old console. Really cool, makes me want to buy something to put it on

[–] emeralddawn45@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

Seems like a silly idea.. its not like an nvme drive takes up a ton of space so eveb a small form factor pc could have a massive drive and an interface for multiple games. Ehats the point of loading them onto sd cards if you have to already download or acquire them elsewhere? Just make a good interface that lets you scroll through a list of games. My steamdeck already does that, and lets me boot right back into a game where i left off, but doesnt make me constantly change the SD card to play a different game.

[–] Sanctus@lemmy.world 9 points 2 weeks ago

The point is to change physical media per game, just like a classic console.

[–] Ulrich@feddit.org 1 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Just make a good interface that lets you scroll through a list of games. My steamdeck already does that

According to the creator, that's too complicated for some people:

I noticed a lot of non-technical people using ChimeraOS/SteamOS getting lost in Steam’s complex menu structure and struggling with basic things like launching and closing games.

Personally, I find it hard to believe that any meaningful amount of people could struggle with that. If they do, they'd probably also struggle to use any other gaming machine.

[–] emeralddawn45@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 2 weeks ago

You could definitely pare down steamOS alot for a more user friendly but less powerful environment. Get rid of all the steam specific shit like the storefront and friends list and all the bells and whistles and just have a launcher that displays game art and title. That would still be leagues better than having a single game on each flash card.

[–] Ulrich@feddit.org -2 points 2 weeks ago

If you want something that runs like an old console, why not just...buy an old console? This just seems like "let's buy a modern PC and pretend". It's like a Easy Bake oven or some shit.

[–] angstylittlecatboy@reddthat.com 7 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

Sounds like it could be a cool novelty for a little while, but ultimately it's a waste of SD Card to make them for every game you have. Also, isn't it not great for SD Cards to constantly read or write from them?

[–] fuckwit_mcbumcrumble@lemmy.dbzer0.com 7 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Reading has never been a problem for any solid state media. Once it's written you can read it as many times as you'd like with almost no wear. Writing can be a problem, but they say the SD cards are read only once they're made so unless you're constantly swapping software on the card then you'll be fine.

[–] angstylittlecatboy@reddthat.com 2 points 2 weeks ago

Makes sense (I think what put that in my head was someone advising against booting Windows from SD Card on Steam Deck.)

[–] shiroininja@lemmy.world 3 points 2 weeks ago

I think the boogeyman of failing sd cards is mostly ridiculous. I’ve literally used micro sd cards in 24/7 Raspberry pis for 4-6 years straight no problem. Some of those with things like syncthing and a bot that constantly downloads YouTube videos, and others that capture and record data. I’ve absolutely never had an SD card fail in any device since I started using Pis in 2014.

Buy quality cards. My favorites have been the Samsung Evos, I have multiple that are still running and I haven’t bought a card in years, excepting a 128gb one for my switch.

[–] Lembot_0004@discuss.online 5 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

I have an impression that we have too many "Linux OS that aims to provide more of a classic gaming console like experience".

[–] scrubbles@poptalk.scrubbles.tech 2 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

Yeah my brain went immediately to "that's why we have batocera". I mean more is good, but also, it's tight there and already very mature

[–] Lembot_0004@discuss.online 2 points 2 weeks ago

I even think that the very idea is not worth it. It should be just a GUI program, not the "OS".

[–] shiroininja@lemmy.world 1 points 2 weeks ago

I’m always a retropie/emulation station person

[–] SpaceMan9000@lemmy.world 1 points 2 weeks ago

Lots of people seem to forget that the evercade is still a thing.

[–] flemtone@lemmy.world 1 points 2 weeks ago

You mean like Batocera, there are a few Os' that boot straight from usb/sd and let you run emulated games.