This is an interesting take, especially coming from a non-haning focused tech website like Ars Technica. I feel like it’s been too long since people were truly hyped about half life 3 though, and this wouldn’t be enough.
People are increasingly unhappy with windows though, and the EoL of windows 10 may push people to Linux anyways.
I think Valve knows better than to make an exclusive. Now will they optimise it for SD? I don’t think there’s any doubt about that.