Some very bad closed source applications will expect way to much from the user system: the steam client, where your get bash scripts instead of sh scripts, a hard debian/ubuntu file layout with the linux mount userland container requirement (windows 10?), and GNU-only niche options of many commands. Not to mention many 32bits libraries. It seems they are still in control of their ABI though (probably using the .symver directive of binutils gas).
That to say the least, the current mess is being forced down or throat by steam, unless your distros don't play video games.
If steam was technically less horrible, more distros would be able to run games way more easily and mechanically more elf/linux users would play games. Because fullfilling all the nasty tantrums of steam is really a pain. Most native games have lesser requirements than steam.
That to say the least, the current mess is being forced down or throat by steam, unless your distros don't play video games.