Thursday, August 16th 2018

Valve Apparently Working on Compatibility Tools Allowing Windows Games to be Played on Linux

Keen-eyed Linux and Valve uses have noticed what could seemingly be a big reveal and shake-up to games' compatibility with the Linux platform. If you're a die-hard Linux fan, or even if you're just a curious dabbler in that operating system, you know that there aren't many concerted efforts of bringing game experiences to that operating system. A good port requires many more hours than game developers are willing to put into it - let alone compiling a native implementation of their game for that OS.

However, Valve, being the most important digital games distributor through their Steam platform, know there's an untapped source of income in that part of the market. And if developers won't do it themselves, then Valve seem to be willing to take the matter into their own hands. This speculation arises from Steam's GUI files, which when looked at with SteamDB's Steam Tracker, include a hidden section with unused text related to an (as of yet) unannounced Steam Play system, which "(...) will automatically install compatibility tools that allow you to play games from your library that were built for other operating systems."
Adding more credence to the Linux compatibility tool (and we say Linux because it's the alternative platform to Windows which has the potential to offer more new users to Steam than any other), the GUI file suggests Steam Play will offer official compatibility with "supported tiles" while also letting users test compatibility for "games in your library that have not been verified with a supported compatibility tool." Of course, these last titles, being outside of the "whitelisted", supported titles, may not work as expected, and may present all sorts of technical problems. Still, some might not.
Sources: GitHub, via Ars Technica
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54 Comments on Valve Apparently Working on Compatibility Tools Allowing Windows Games to be Played on Linux

#1
W1zzard
So Valve will manage what the whole Linux developer world couldn't? I'm having doubts
Posted on Reply
#2
Joss
If this is true, and if it works properly, then it's big!
This would have me ditching Windows and dual boot for good, and I'm sure many others would too.
Posted on Reply
#3
Vayra86
I think they call these tools 'Project Half Life 3'

And they lumped their Steam Machine in there as well.
Posted on Reply
#4
megamanxtreme
I definitely wanted to jump to Linux due to not wanting to buy a Windows license, but some games I loved to play didn't work on Linux, let alone MMOs.
Modern times are good, indeed. Times have changed.
Posted on Reply
#5
Caring1
So no full single player games that can be played offline away from Steam or Valve!
Posted on Reply
#6
krykry
W1zzardSo Valve will manage what the whole Linux developer world couldn't? I'm having doubts
It's possible now thanks to Vulkan and vulkan stuff such as DXVK and RADV.
Posted on Reply
#7
Hillbilly
Here's hoping they get this done! :roll:
Posted on Reply
#8
jabbadap
Probably just installs wine and maybe DXVK. I.E. Witcher 3 runs great on wine+dxvk and older dx9 games usually runs well on wined3d(Not even mention OGL games). Even that would be good, now I have to start windows version of steam when playing games through wine. If this makes windows games starting from native steam linux version, that would make things little easier.
Posted on Reply
#9
Frick
Fishfaced Nincompoop
W1zzardSo Valve will manage what the whole Linux developer world couldn't? I'm having doubts
Isn't that world pretty fractious?

This will require a lot of work on thier part. Would be cool, but I'll not get excited.
Posted on Reply
#10
kastriot
Linux was not made for gaming, so all this is complete waste of time.
Posted on Reply
#11
VulkanBros
Vayra86I think they call these tools 'Project Half Life 3'

And they lumped their Steam Machine in there as well.
Same fate as HL3 ..........
Posted on Reply
#12
krykry
kastriotLinux was not made for gaming, so all this is complete waste of time.
You're talking as if Windows was made for gaming.

Gaming doesn't need an operating system, it needs an API and drivers that make it work.
Posted on Reply
#13
AltCapwn
W1zzardSo Valve will manage what the whole Linux developer world couldn't? I'm having doubts
They have the budget! which the whole Linux dev didn't have because it's mostly time contribution.

If they release that, I would be as happy as if they release HL3.
Caring1So no full single player games that can be played offline away from Steam or Valve!
You can play in offline mode, but I see your point. Tho if they release it, I hope they license it open source.
Posted on Reply
#14
FreedomEclipse
~Technological Technocrat~
kastriotLinux was not made for gaming, so all this is complete waste of time.
you sound like the same kind of person that shits on a PS3 or PS4 because it has a secondary function as a blu-ray/DVD/Media player. but it was built as a gaming machine so.... '

kastriotall this is complete waste of time.
Posted on Reply
#15
AltCapwn
FreedomEclipseyou sound like the same kind of person that shits on a PS3 or PS4 because it has a secondary function as a blu-ray/DVD/Media player. but it was built as a gaming machine so.... '
I remember back then when the ps3 was the cheapest blu-ray reader on the market and yet, people still bought dedicated blu-ray reader because the ps3 was labeled as a gaming console.
Posted on Reply
#16
GlacierNine
W1zzardSo Valve will manage what the whole Linux developer world couldn't? I'm having doubts
You act as if fragmentation and lack of monetary investment doesn't hobble Linux completely in many key areas.

Valve have three things that Linux development can never guarantee: Time, money, and qualified talent.

Put the three together and large, ambitious projects can be undertaken that FOSS would struggle to get started on.
Posted on Reply
#17
Prince Valiant
W1zzardSo Valve will manage what the whole Linux developer world couldn't? I'm having doubts
They've got the money to drive it. Whether or not they'll spend some of that money and see it through is another matter.
Posted on Reply
#18
dj-electric
Valve cannot make Linux gaming take off. They won't.
Anybody who used Linux long enough knows it
Posted on Reply
#19
AltCapwn
dj-electricValve cannot make Linux gaming take off. They won't.
Anybody who used Linux long enough knows it
I still have hopes. If they can create a tool to make gaming on linux viable and easy, it might be just enough to boost linux popularity, just like when Windows 10 and their uap got released and valve released their OS because everyone was pissed at M$ policies.

It's slow, very slow, but I'm pretty sure one day Linux might become, not mainstream, but at least a platform of choice for gaming.

I imagine the PS5 being on a custom Linux, that would be awesome. The ports would be easy.
Posted on Reply
#20
blobster21
dj-electricValve cannot make Linux gaming take off. They won't.
Anybody who used Linux long enough knows it
Hopefully (for us) they'll prove you wrong sooner or later. Just don't hold your breathe. As usual wait and see !
Posted on Reply
#21
FreedomEclipse
~Technological Technocrat~
altcapwnI remember back then when the ps3 was the cheapest blu-ray reader on the market and yet, people still bought dedicated blu-ray reader because the ps3 was labeled as a gaming console.
I wouldnt of done this. if it had Blu-ray functionality, then thats what i would of used. Less clutter and saves money.
Posted on Reply
#22
Totally
FreedomEclipseI wouldnt of done this. if it had Blu-ray functionality, then thats what i would of used. Less clutter and saves money.
But it did.
Posted on Reply
#23
FreedomEclipse
~Technological Technocrat~
TotallyBut it did.
Cool. you wanna buy me one?
Posted on Reply
#24
R0H1T
Vayra86I think they call these tools 'Project Half Life 3'

And they lumped their Steam Machine in there as well.
Or the ethereal white moby d*** called Star Citizen :pimp:
Posted on Reply
#25
HD64G
Let's hope they have vulcan in their mind alongside some programs in linux that will allow us to play newer games with performance similar to windows. That would make ms sad and us happy.
Posted on Reply
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