How can I install Steam?

How can I install and run Steam on Ubuntu?

Solution 1:

Steam is now released for Ubuntu and there's no need to run Wine or any other thing to get it to work.

Run

sudo apt-get install steam

Or Install it with this button:

This offers the easiest method for installing Steam. After clicking the orange button you may not have Ubuntu Software Centre configured to install .apk's. To get Ubuntu Software Centre to show Steam from this link browse to software-centre which is located at /usr/bin/software-centre when prompted after clicking on the orange button.

When installing the "buy" button is not asking for payment to be able to install the Steam for Linux client as it is only indicating you need to buy games in order to use the client for playing games or using apps once the client is installed.

Which means if you have already Steam Play or Linux games in your Steam library there is no cost at all in order to be able to use the Steam for Linux client to play games as it possible to sign in to Linux client with the same account details as with Windows client; just not both at same time.

Also consider upgrading you video drivers as shown in this article step-by-step, doing so will allow you to get the best performance on your graphics card. The article covers the drivers installation for the NVIDIA, AMD/ATI and Intel graphics cards.

• Steam Client now available in Ubuntu Software Center
• store.steampowered.com: browse Linux games

Solution 2:

I recommend you to use plain Wine without PlayOnLinux. Winetricks is helpful, however.

Steam Games on Linux website has detailed information about which games can be played successfully, and what you have to do for that.

• First of all, make sure you have installed proprietary graphics drivers if they are available.
• Install the latest Wine.
• Configure Wine (look at STEAM + WINE CONFIGURATION section)
• Go to Winetricks and follow these steps:
  • Select the default wineprefix OK
  • Install a Windows DLL or component OK
  • It is important to mark d3dx9 here. Optional packages that may be needed for some games: d3dx10, vb6run, vcrun2005, vcrun2008, vcrun2010, physx. OK
  • Install a font OK
  • Mark corefonts and tahoma. OK
• Next, download Steam and go through the installer.
• When you create an account or just log in, you should have no trouble downloading your games through Steam as usual and playing them.
• Make sure to change video settings in the game to low ASAP (don't miss the "advanced" video settings for Valve's games). Windowed mode is mostly better. It is good to restart the game after this.