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

> **Key takeaway:** Valve's Steam Linux beta now uses a 64-bit build running inside the steamrt3c container to improve distribution consistency.

**Published:** 2026-10-16T11:21:18+00:00 
**Source:** It's FOSS Community News 
**Category:** distro-news 
**Canonical URL:** https://fosswire.org/news/steam-linux-client-moves-to-64-bit-and-containerized-runtime.html 

## Summary
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.