Steam Linux client moves to 64-bit and containerized runtime in beta

The October 15 Steam Client Beta introduces a 64-bit build for Linux and transitions the client to run within a Steam Runtime container. This change aims to ensure more consistent behavior across different Linux distributions. While the client is now 64-bit, it still requires both 32-bit and 64-bit libraries and graphics drivers to function.

Technical details of the Steam Linux beta

• The client uses the steamrt3c container, a variant of the sniper runtime specifically for the Steam client.
• It utilizes pressure-vessel to manage containers while still pulling graphics drivers from the host system.
• The transition moves away from layering libraries over the host, which previously required the host to be newer than the runtime.
• 64-bit-only setups remain unsupported; x86_64 systems must still provide both 32-bit (i386) and 64-bit libraries.

Why it matters

By containerizing the client, Valve reduces dependency issues caused by varying host library versions, mirroring the environment used by Steam games.