STEAM FOR LINUX. Users can download a Linux-friendly version of the Steam game management platform through the Ubuntu Software Center. Screen Shot from Steam.

MANILA, Philippines - Users of the Linux operating system who have been yearning for a centralized gaming platform are in for a treat.

Valve, the makers of the Steam game client, announced the launch of Steam for Linux on Thursday, February 14. Interested gamers can download the Steam client off the Ubuntu Software Center.

Steam is a digital distribution platform for games and software, serving as a marketplace for game makers to sell their games and as a community center where people can discuss the games they're playing.

Valve is also celebrating this launch with a sale on Linux games, with prices of over 50 Linux games slashed from 50-75% until February 21.

They are also holding a limited-time promotional event in Team Fortress 2 for Linux users. Players running the game on a Linux machine will automatically earn a tradable in-game replica of Tux the Linux Penguin. - Rappler.com