Following the launch of Windows 8 on October 26, PC gaming service Steam is further testing the waters on Windows alternative Linux by inviting users to participate in a software trial.

Valve game 'Left 4 Dead 2' was used as a test game for Steam on Linux. ©All rights reserved - Valve Corporation

Previous comments attributed to Gabe Newell, the head of Steam operator Valve Corporation, had not been entirely supportive of Windows 8. Tied in with this is Steam's ongoing exploration of Linux as a viable platform for its catalogue of downloadable computer games -- compatibility with Mac OS X was added in May 2010.

Potential candidates are asked to specify their preferred game types and level of experience with Linux (popular installations Ubuntu, Mint, Debian and Fedora are named) and submit a hardware profile so that testing can take place across a variety of configurations.

Sites such as Steam Games on Linux and The Big List of Steam Games on GNU/Linux already act as repositories for information on compatible games, whether run on Linux or via the Windows emulator known as WINE, pending the addition of a Linux category to the storefront.

Valve Linux Steam Client Beta Application page: valvesoftware.com/linuxsurvey.php