Linux gaming just got easier!!!!!

[Prophet]

So, Valve has been dumping money into various open source projects like Wine. Why? To build translation software like Wine into Steam on Linux allowing Windows games to work in Linux. It's called Proton and merges several tools into one and works with no added tasks for the user. There is a pretty short official supported list. BUT, there is an option to allow Proton to work with ANY software in your Windows Linux library. For the most part, you can get nearly any game to work in Linux with the new Steam client.

Introducing a new version of Steam Play
August 21 - Pierre-Loup
In 2010, we announced Steam Play: a way for Steam users to access Windows, Mac and Linux versions of Steam games with a single purchase. More than 3000 of the games that have been added to Steam after that point have included Linux support, with more titles being added every day. Since then, we've continued to look for ways to make more titles easily accessible to Linux users.

So, two years ago, we started an effort to improve the quality and performance of Windows compatibility solutions for Steam games. A lot of our work has been in the form of supporting Wine[www.winehq.org] and other existing compatibility projects. We have also been integrating these tools into the Steam client to provide the same simple plug-and-play experience offered by regular Linux games.

Our goal for this work is to let Linux Steam users enjoy easy access to a larger back catalog. We think it will also allow future developers to easily leverage their work from other platforms to target Linux. This would give them the option of focusing on areas that would make a meaningful experience difference for all users instead, such as supporting Vulkan[www.khronos.org].

As a result of this work, today we are releasing the Beta of a new and improved version of Steam Play to all Linux users! It includes a modified distribution of Wine, called Proton, to provide compatibility with Windows game titles. Here are some of the improvements it brings to the table:

Windows games with no Linux version currently available can now be installed and run directly from the Linux Steam client, complete with native Steamworks and OpenVR support.
DirectX 11 and 12 implementations are now based on Vulkan, resulting in improved game compatibility and reduced performance impact.
Fullscreen support has been improved: fullscreen games will be seamlessly stretched to the desired display without interfering with the native monitor resolution or requiring the use of a virtual desktop.
Improved game controller support: games will automatically recognize all controllers supported by Steam. Expect more out-of-the-box controller compatibility than even the original version of the game.
Performance for multi-threaded games has been greatly improved compared to vanilla Wine.

https://steamcommunity.com/games/221410 ... 5739350561

A user created list of games tested. Over 1000 games tested and the results with hardware used and Linux distro. Generally, Ubuntu is a pretty safe bet across the board.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/ ... ?sle=true#

[Docjon]

I'll play around with it when I get home. Kinda want another boot partition for debugging the primary in emergencies, and Linux will let me do that. Plenty of tools. Of course, I could arguably do it with a boot able CD too...

What the hell. If it's a bust for everything else, I can still debug. I can play with Linux stuff, or ignore it when I want. If I get into that radio receiver stuff, some of it tools are Linux only. It's a low cost lark, and I might learn something. Plus, I don't like win 10 as much as win 7. Hedge my bets a bit.

[Prophet]

Good luck with that!

Well, seeing ho it already works on over 1000 games not on the supported list, I would say things are going well.

[Docjon]

Good luck with that!

Well, seeing ho it already works on over 1000 games not on the supported list, I would say things are going well.

As I said, good luck with that!

Jesus Humperdoo Christ.

Win10 isn't going to sleep with you...

[Paladin]

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[Paladin]

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[Prophet]

the way you say things and your typical tone on such topics dictates how others color your comments. So, these comments come off seeming pretty sarcastic.

[Paladin]

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[Docjon]

I missed something here.

Real life, and I suspect AGE, has changed how we used to be interested in trying things just for the sake of learning. Seems to be more effort than it used to be. Maybe part of it is we don't have those 20+ years spread out in front of us now, so the time spent on such things seems longer and more dear. Maybe 20+ years of crap makes it seem less worthwhile an effort- low reward for effort. Maybe aches, pains and illness knocks down our tolerance for it. I know I don't jump into projects like I did 20 years ago, and when I do, I don't do it as well.

Figure a Linux partition might be something I can play with from time to time. Just having it, and a couple tools may come in handy if my Windows goes FUBAR or I get a virus /malware. Probably not much more so than a boot able CD, but still. I'll have a lot on my plate when I get out, but if I spend a little time here and there... Get it installed and booting in a day or so of dweebing, then I get back to it whenever I have time.

Pretty sure I'm repeating myself...


There are subjects I'm hesitant to bring up in the forums because of dismissive or passive aggressive responses they have gathered in the past, and Linux is one of them. I admit, recently I've been a bit afraid of bringing up EA Games because of Prophet's strong opinions, but he's been cool, stating his issues clearly without being dismissive or argumentative. We've had some good back-and-forth on the subject, and I'm genuinely interested in his opinion on the matter. He may alert me to something I don't find acceptable.

Jumping into an active conversation and being dismissive is rude. We don't have so many ppl and so many posts that we should be shitting on the ones we have. If we ever manage to bring other folks around, I wouldn't like them doing that to any of us, and I'd tell them.

When ppl are having an earnest discussion, and some one chimes in with a dismissive comment that adds nothing to the discussion, that's disrespecting those ppl and not serving the conversation. Not liking it or not agreeing is cool, just please explain why. Someone might learn something.

[Prophet]

I give my opinions like I do, because of what you just said. At the minimum people know where I stand. I do not care what others do, really. I will make my case. Champion things I feel are worth it to do so for and kick those that need kicking. Many of the problems I have with companies like Apple, MS, EA, and some others boil down to terrible consumer abuse issues. I have never been one to just take a kicking and ask for more. These are all companies I either had a love for or at least respected at one point in time. They have all squandered that and gave customers a royal butt pounding. I won't financially support these kinds of companies if I can avoid it. These are my choices. Just because I have issues with a company does not mean you have to as well. I give my reasonings.

Doc and I have discussed a few different subjects. Many in coms. We do not always agree on things or have differing viewpoints. But it never really gets heated or anything. It's not bitching when you have legitimate issues with something.


Back to the main topic. Things have been moving smoothly. All my low spec games that don't need a GPU work just fine on my laptop. No issues noticed so far. Might have to toss Ubuntu or Debian on my gaming rig and dual boot it for some testing. I prefer Arch, but that takes too damn long to install and config just to do some testing. I will save that for the next major upgrade.

[Docjon]

Yeah, as much as you don't like those companies, you don't get too heated up about it. I would actually appreciate hearing about any other bs EA pulls. Really hoping they don't ruin Anthem for me. The new fallout game already looks like a non starter, and the last one was a pre-order. The only other game I've ever pre-ordered was the Battlefield series.

Gonna need a new game at some point. Would be nice if we could find a multi-player coop...wonder how long before they put out a new BORDERLANDS game.

Wish I could get out of here and get home so I could start a project, any project. It sucks, having no effect on the world whatsoever for months at a time. Very unsatisfying.