'We have a new major number purely because I'm easily confused and not good with big numbers' says Linus Torvalds about Linux 7.0
PC Gamer
by Andy Edser February 24, 2026
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Linus Torvalds, the creator of the Linux kernel, has announced the release of Linux 7.0 rc1, clarifying that the major version number change isn't indicative of groundbreaking new features. Instead, he humorously attributes the update to his tendency to confuse large numbers and follows a time-based release schedule. This means Linux 7.0 is a continuation of incremental progress rather than a revolutionary overhaul.
Torvalds explained that major releases are not tied to specific features but follow a predictable cadence. He estimates that with their usual five to six annual updates, the next major version bump will likely occur every 3.5 years. This release marks a smooth transition, as Torvalds experienced minimal issues during the merge process, ensuring stability and reliability.
For gamers, Linux's role in gaming has grown significantly, with many game engines and tools
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Originally published on PC Gamer on 2/24/2026