Video game developer and publisher Valve has, at an event earlier this week, detailed a new operating system designed around the Steam digital distribution platform. The operating system, called SteamOS, is a Linux-based OS intended for so-called living-room PCs.

Valve says that SteamOS “…combines the rock-solid architecture of Linux with a gaming experience built for the big screen” and the company says that the operating system offers gamers increased graphics performance. Valve is attempting to make similar gains on the audio front as well as with input latency.

SteamOS will offer streaming from Windows and Mac machines, letting players run music, videos and even games over their home network to a TV screen. Family Sharing and other family-centred options will also be a feature of the new OS.

Valve has said that SteamOS will become available soon as a free download, with more information to be announced later.