Retro PC-game distributor GOG.com is adding support for Linux (and potentially SteamOS)

Some good old games are heading to the Linux operating system.

GOG.com, the online retailer that sells old PC games, announced today that it is adding Linux support. It will launch its storefront for the Ubuntu and Mint versions of the open-source OS later this year. GOG.com wants to have at least 100 of its games compatible with the OS by fall. This development further bolsters the growing Linux gaming scene, which developer Valve is leading with its SteamOS operating system for the Steam Machine living room PCs.

“After much deliberation, we’ve decided that one of the next steps for us is to support Linux,” reads an announcement on GOG’s website. “Now, we’re not ready to launch Linux games on GOG.com just yet. We’ve only been working on bringing them to our service for a few months, and [there are] lots more to go, but we wanted to let you know what’s going to be coming this fall to a digital distributor near you.”

GOG.com is known for re-releasing old PC games that are no longer compatible with modern hardware and software. It is one of the top distributors in this field. It doesn’t just update games, it often adds new features to improve functionality. It did not specify any particular titles that it is working on porting.

“This is, as we mentioned, something that we’re in the early stages of, so we can’t talk about what games will be a part of our GOG.com on Linux gaming launch — in part because we, ourselves, don’t know what those games are,” reads the post.

Linux is an alternative to Windows or OS X. It lags far behind in gaming support compared to its competitors due to its relatively low installation base. Most computers come with Windows or OS X, so publishers only worry about supporting those platforms. That traditional strategy is seeing a shift now with Valve releasing its Steam Machines. These console-like PCs run the Linux-based SteamOS platform and are supposed to operate best with a living room television.

While GOG.com only plans to support Ubuntu and Mint to start, nothing would stop it from quickly porting its service to SteamOS. Valve is promising to maintain an open platform that will enable other companies to sell games on Steam Machines.