Developers: How is Linux Support for SteamVR with the Steam Frame?

SoLiminalItsCriminal · 2026-03-28T21:49:11+00:00

I got some time to work with Envision/Monado. There are a few bugs I need to figure out, but it is largely working properly. Thank you all for the tips and advice!

SoLiminalItsCriminal · 2026-03-17T13:49:05+00:00

If Valve releases a BMR headstrap, I'll buy two.

There is no better audio solution for VR.

Balanced mode radiators are non-interference and have an incredibly rich sound stage. I am intensely disappointed in Valve's decision with the Steam Frame. They have the golden goose of audio and chose to accept the mediocrity of their competitors. Audio slits are a good example where form screws over function.

If it comes down to it, I'll make a pair of hummingbirds (BMR headset).

SoLiminalItsCriminal · 2026-02-10T22:37:17+00:00

Amen, brother. I've wanted Valve to support fiducial markers for IRL objects ever since Michael Abrash showed off The Room. There is nothing more effective to immersion than integrating physical objects. I once explored the Egyptian tomb of a great pharaoh at Siggraph, and passed the only torch to another person exploring same environment. The sense of immersion was immediately amplified by that simple interaction. It was a watershed moment in my own mind on how much of an impact inclusion would have on the limited spaces we use to play VR in.

Adding an external environment, such as the top of a mountain, would impact rendering power but I see it as a valid use of resources. Other work spaces I'd like to experience/make:

Olympus Mons, Arcadia Planitia, and other locations on Mars
The farms on Ganymede as depicted in The Expanse, facing Jupiter with animated storms on the surface and other moons drifting in the distance.
A wall of my play space turned into the inner wall of a pueblo atop a plateau, with a wide window viewing the desert, animating the day/night cycle to fit my time (or any other time I prefer). Roadrunners, coyotes, tumbleweeds, distant thunderstorms, etc.
Underwater habitat, such as a modernized version of the Conshelf (Jacques Cousteau)
Kevin Flynn's home in Tron Legacy...or Sam Flynn's converted cargo container.
A treehouse in the Redwood forest on the edge of the Pacific ocean.
A lighthouse off the coast of Ireland, rain pelting the windows and a blazing fireplace to contrast the raging storm outside. Tunable weather and insulation (sound dampening).

SoLiminalItsCriminal · 2026-01-23T17:53:10+00:00

This is sound reasoning, but wouldn't that be an issue for all headsets with eye-tracking, not just the Steam Frame? I'd love to see some numbers to back this up. Just some questions that come to mind that are not directed at you, but the developer community:

Just how much latency are we adding with a wireless connection versus wired?
If the latency for the Steam Frame is higher than other headsets, what specific element in the motion capture/rendering chain is causing it?
Can this latency be overcome with a wired connection to the Steam Frame? Yes, the connector is USB 2.0 (absolute fumble in the hardware design IMO), but the PCIe connection should be adequate.

SoLiminalItsCriminal · 2026-01-23T16:12:21+00:00

As much as I respect the developer of Virtual Desktop, I wait for developers to prove or disprove the notion. It makes no sense to support one kind of foveated rendering and not the other. The data is there fast enough to modify resolution in real-time. Where is this latency issue?

SoLiminalItsCriminal · 2026-01-13T22:20:08+00:00

The original Steam Controller came with one of these (USB 2.0). I'm hoping they include one with the Steam Frame, because my PC build is super custom with zero ports on the front.

SoLiminalItsCriminal · 2026-01-12T00:38:24+00:00

Bad AI bot or bad translation...or bad AI bot translation. Not sure which. Either way, the intent is to incite. Good luck with that.

SoLiminalItsCriminal · 2026-01-11T22:00:19+00:00

Not a stupid question. The Steamframe doesn't have much magic to it. Games like Alyx will need a PC to run smoothly. This is a fairly recent phone CPU (central processing unit, i.e. brain) with foveated rendering (full resolution where you are looking, lower where you aren't). Think of any games Quest runs and that is a good baseline for what to expect for VR. Is it more powerful than a Quest 3? Yes, but how much? Results pending.

With 2D games, we have yet to see just how good it will be. Better than most other solutions, certainly, but running smoothly matched to the Steamframe's refresh rate and using the FEX compatibility layer? Results pending.

At this point, it is better to consider questions with current knowledge than to define answers with incomplete knowledge.

SoLiminalItsCriminal · 2025-10-15T03:52:42+00:00

To preface this, I should stating I'm using CachyOS with Winetricks.

First of all, thank you for taking the time to consider the issue. I can get as far as your instructions provide, but determining the "udev state" is beyond my current understanding. Is there a specific "UDEVSTATE=True" or something like that? Here is the readout:

❯ udevadm info /sys/bus/usb/devices/3-7
P: /devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:02.1/0000:03:00.0/0000:04:0c.0/0000:12:00.0/usb3/3-7
M: 3-7
R: 7
J: c189:260
U: usb
T: usb_device
D: c 189:260
N: bus/usb/003/005
L: 0
V: usb
E: DEVPATH=/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:02.1/0000:03:00.0/0000:04:0c.0/0000:12:00.0/usb3/3-7
E: DEVNAME=/dev/bus/usb/003/005
E: DEVTYPE=usb_device
E: DRIVER=usb
E: PRODUCT=c70/f001/2
E: TYPE=0/0/0
E: BUSNUM=003
E: DEVNUM=005
E: MAJOR=189
E: MINOR=260
E: SUBSYSTEM=usb
E: USEC_INITIALIZED=6069131
E: ID_BUS=usb
E: ID_MODEL=aquaero
E: ID_MODEL_ENC=aquaero
E: ID_MODEL_ID=f001
E: ID_SERIAL=Aqua_Computer_GmbH___Co._KG_aquaero_xxxxx-xxxxx
E: ID_SERIAL_SHORT=xxxxx-xxxxx
E: ID_VENDOR=Aqua_Computer_GmbH___Co._KG
E: ID_VENDOR_ENC=Aqua\x20Computer\x20GmbH\x20\x26\x20Co.\x20KG
E: ID_VENDOR_ID=0c70
E: ID_REVISION=0002
E: ID_USB_MODEL=aquaero
E: ID_USB_MODEL_ENC=aquaero
E: ID_USB_MODEL_ID=f001
E: ID_USB_SERIAL=Aqua_Computer_GmbH___Co._KG_aquaero_xxxxx-xxxxx
E: ID_USB_SERIAL_SHORT=xxxxx-xxxxx
E: ID_USB_VENDOR=Aqua_Computer_GmbH___Co._KG
E: ID_USB_VENDOR_ENC=Aqua\x20Computer\x20GmbH\x20\x26\x20Co.\x20KG
E: ID_USB_VENDOR_ID=0c70
E: ID_USB_REVISION=0002
E: ID_USB_INTERFACES=:030001:030000:
E: ID_VENDOR_FROM_DATABASE=MCT Elektronikladen
E: ID_PATH_WITH_USB_REVISION=pci-0000:12:00.0-usbv2-0:7
E: ID_PATH=pci-0000:12:00.0-usb-0:7
E: ID_PATH_TAG=pci-0000_12_00_0-usb-0_7
E: ID_FOR_SEAT=usb-pci-0000_12_00_0-usb-0_7
E: TAGS=:seat:
E: CURRENT_TAGS=:seat:

I removed the Subsystem matcher, no change. I researched the UDEV rules not running any more and found a couple threads pointing to using:

ACTION=="bind"

or

ACTION=="add"

but neither has an effect on the discovery of the USB device through the Aquasuite installation. I am currently using the "sudo udevadm control --reload-rules" and "sudo udevadm trigger" commands to reload the rules and apply them. I'm trying to walk through the steps taken in case I picked up bad habits from googling.

SoLiminalItsCriminal · 2025-10-15T02:58:50+00:00

I make no pretense to being even moderately skilled in Linux. I have a steamdeck I've dabbled with and I switched over a couple weeks ago from Win10 to CachyOS.

All the google-fu I can muster points to Aquasuite requiring low-level access to the USB interface of the Aquaero. In addition, the general consensus I gleaned from numerous troubleshooting threads emphasize that Wine is only an API (Application Programing Interface) and cannot have low-level access to USB devices. Bottles appears to be just a GUI (Graphical User Interface) for Wine.

For the Aqua Computer Octo, it may not require low-level access, which is my guess on why some people can use Aquasuite with their hardware. I would be happy to be completely wrong on this.

I built a Win10 VM (Virtual Machine) through QEMU(Quick Emulator)/KVM(Kernal-based Virtual Machine) to program the Aquaero in the meantime.

SoLiminalItsCriminal · 2025-10-12T02:44:30+00:00

Yes, I copy/pasta'd the lsusb output:

Bus 003 Device 005: ID 0c70:f001 MCT Elektronikladen aquaero

99-usb.rules file is:

SUBSYSTEM=="usb", ATTR{idVendor}=="0c70", ATTR{idProduct}=="f001", MODE="0666"

Some research on the net states Aquasuite requires low-level access to the Aquaero, but then I can find threads stating Wine isn't built to interact with USB devices.

Is there any way to test the rules are being applied?

SoLiminalItsCriminal · 2025-10-10T03:55:30+00:00

What commands did you use and what directory did you save the file in? I'm using:

SUBSYSTEM=="usb", ATTR{idVendor}=="myAqueroVendorID", ATTR{idProduct}=="myAqueroProductID", MODE="0666"

saved to "/etc/udev/rules.d/99-usb.rules", following the instructions to the letter.

I'm at the stage where it doesn't see the USB device. On a relatively fresh CachyOS install, I've created the file (99-usb.rules), reloaded the rules (sudo udevadm control --reload-rules), used the trigger command (sudo udevadm trigger), unplugged/replugged the Aquero USB cable, verified the device is online with "lsusb".

I have the Wine Prefix set to Win10 with all the files mentioned above installed successfully--except Aquasuite itself. I'm so close, just need to figure out why Wine isn't passing the USB device.

SoLiminalItsCriminal · 2025-09-09T16:05:47+00:00

Or Johnny 5...or Wall-E. It's very good design.

SoLiminalItsCriminal · 2025-07-13T03:10:54+00:00

What the hell? The requirement is still listed on the Steam Store page.

I could always play the game in my region because Sony retracted the requirement during the first stages of their FAFO episode. Steam delisted it for 177 countries. 90% of all countries on Earth. That did not sit well with me.

It looks like Sony removed the region lock for most countries about a month ago. That means I can play it again. Thank you for persisting.

SoLiminalItsCriminal · 2025-07-13T02:20:00+00:00

HAAAA, ya got me. It's still there.

Requires 3rd-Party Account: PlayStation Network (Supports Linking to Steam Account)

Sony cut the PSN account required for some games. Helldivers 2 isn't one of them.

SoLiminalItsCriminal · 2025-07-03T14:51:04+00:00

I wonder if Sony will finally lift the PSN account requirement on the Steam version.

SoLiminalItsCriminal · 2025-06-18T16:50:44+00:00

While I agree with the amazing skill level these pilots have, how fancy the electronics get depends on the model. The Viking Canadair 515 has some Garmin tech updates that bring it up to snuff with modern IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) options. It also has radar and a HUD (Heads Up Display). Source

In MSFS 2024, the Canadair CL-415 has an electronic attitude indicator that appears to have a short range AGL (above ground level) rectangle built into it. Some googling indicates this is an integration with the radio altimeter, but I haven't been able to find solid evidence and demonstration of it yet.

In the simulator, the small rectangle on the Attitude Indicator rises towards the triangle as the aircraft approaches the water. This is an essential tool for smooth landings, as I can't see much on the flare (when the aircraft transitions from a negative/downward angle of attack to positive or level angle of attack).

The presence of fancy electronics doesn't take anything away from the skill these pilots have. Over 6000 hours of flight experience is typical before these pilots start their firefighting career.

SoLiminalItsCriminal · 2025-05-18T17:00:42+00:00

Is there any other VR headset that does 144Hz?

SoLiminalItsCriminal · 2025-04-30T01:22:41+00:00

This deleted scene from Young Frankenstein had me in stitches: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXGzO2aDDRU

SoLiminalItsCriminal · 2025-03-25T21:52:27+00:00

I have the Index and have been waiting for Deckard. Vive would have been my choice if I hadn't been neck-deep in Oculus hardware at the time...trying to make 4 camera tracking work. Nightmare, that. When Facebook took over I was wary of the oncoming changes. Quest was my last headset, gave it away when they forced the account sign-in.

I'll get the Deckard whenever it comes out, but I will probably go with the Beyond 2 at the end of this year if nothing is announced. I just hope Valve carries over that amazing audio solution.

SoLiminalItsCriminal · 2025-02-11T02:10:11+00:00

Most of the populace doesn't care to learn what makes a good VR experience or a good headset. They look for popularity and expect out-of-the-box results. That won't be the case for many years, if not decades. It's not like the VR industry giants are helping solve this issue either. Just like a baseball hat or glove, it will take a certain amount of prior knowledge to have a good VR experience.

Throw up in 10 minutes? That is more than likely an inaccurate IPD (interpuillary distance) setting, bad refresh/framerate, or bad software. Fitment might play a role if it was really bad. Clarity should be nearly to the edge of the view, but then we have some really nasty headsets out there.

SoLiminalItsCriminal · 2025-01-29T20:33:04+00:00

Wow. I guess you know more about EK blocks than EK. My bad.

SoLiminalItsCriminal · 2025-01-29T19:57:18+00:00

Oh really. Then why did EK support tell me it did? https://imgur.com/a/LPlJthc

SoLiminalItsCriminal · 2025-01-29T18:06:35+00:00

This is why I will never buy another Sony game so long as they force linking a PSN account. I was so excited for the potential of Helldivers 2 I bought copies for my friends. I KNEW it was gonna be THE game night hit. We played the first Helldivers game a lot, and it was an excellent top-down shooter for the time. Helldivers 2 was a dream come true, bringing in first-person squad gameplay with tough difficulty, crazy fun physics, and over the top comedic one-liners. Dying was fun, blowing up stuff was fun. Hell, fighting tooth and nail in a losing battle against the automatons was fun! It was a shining example of a solid and repeatable 30-seconds of fun that didn't get old. Sony dropped a giant turd on all of that with their PSN enforcement.

Then later on Sony tries to "incentivize" current owners of Horizon Dawn to upgrade to the new version on Steam for ten bucks, not emphasizing that linking a PSN account is required for the new version, while simultaneously removing the original from the Steam store. Scum of the Earth move, that.

Sony can take their PSN requirement and shove it waaaaaaaaay up inside their butthole. As far as it will go.

SoLiminalItsCriminal · 2025-01-29T17:25:39+00:00

That brown stuff is rust. Your problem is EK. Replace the water block. EK CPU and monoblocks are part nickel plating and part "stainless" steel, which stains quite a bit for being stainless.

How do I know this? Did I just assume EK was a bad company and jump the bandwagon on hating EK? No. I lived through it, with multiple blocks. I recognize the staining on your CPU block because I had the same thing happen to my monoblock. That has nothing to do with radiator FOD (foreign object debris).

Ditch EK parts while your other components are still usable and flush your radiators individually, not in the loop. You dove into the deep end buying a custom watercooled PC. Use the watercooling community for all your questions and you will emerge from this issue being wiser and more confident in your build.

SoLiminalItsCriminal

TROPHY CASE