For those about to jump on the downvote bandwagon, I think the argument here was poorly phrased but might actually makes sense:
> [Despite the fact that Unity supports building native linux binaries] I haven't seen ANY Unity devs commit to making native linux ports rather than just using Unity [to build binaries for the usual platforms]. Until SteamOS can make it as simple [to build native linux binaries] as Unity [already does], it's going to be a tough sell to [, at the very least,] anyone who is already using Unity [and doesn't build linux binaries, since this sizable population has already been given the choice to "check a box and build for linux" and declined].
Assuming that is the argument my counter argument would be that making a Linux version involves more than a checkbox; you now have extra platforms you need to test on and extra complexity in supporting your game in return for very little benefit. If there are issues on the new platform you then need dev time to address them; Unity might support multiple platforms but that doesn't guarantee your code will 100% work everywhere.
If steambox provides a known Linux environment with users wanting games it becomes a much better proposition to make a Linux version, even if official support is only for Steam Linux and not Linux in general.
> my counter argument would be that making a Linux version involves more than a checkbox; you now have extra platforms you need to test on and extra complexity in supporting your game in return for very little benefit.
I don't think that's a counterargument, I think you're agreeing with what he said ;)
> If steambox provides a known Linux environment with users wanting games it becomes a much better proposition to make a Linux version
That is a counterargument. I tend to agree. I hope you're right!
> [Despite the fact that Unity supports building native linux binaries] I haven't seen ANY Unity devs commit to making native linux ports rather than just using Unity [to build binaries for the usual platforms]. Until SteamOS can make it as simple [to build native linux binaries] as Unity [already does], it's going to be a tough sell to [, at the very least,] anyone who is already using Unity [and doesn't build linux binaries, since this sizable population has already been given the choice to "check a box and build for linux" and declined].