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It seems a tweet from Michael Marks the development director at porting house Aspyr Media has been taken out-of-context by another well known Linux website, time to clear things up.

Mantle is the new API from AMD developed as an alternative to OpenGL and Direct3D, for those that didn't know.

Here's the tweet in question:

@NThibieroz @FiraxisGames sadly no mantle for SteamOS either, but @grahamsellers will enable #BeyondEarth on AMD linux

— michael_marks (@michael_marks) April 13, 2014


Now, bear in mind this is specifically talking about the new Civilization game that is coming to Linux, it cannot support Mantle on Linux/SteamOS since Mantle isn't yet on Linux.

This will also help clear it up:

@oscarbg81 @michael_marks @FiraxisGames @amd_roy "AMD is actively evaluating other platforms to bring Mantle to". :)

Nick Thibieroz (@NThibieroz) April 14, 2014


That tweet is directly from Nick Thibieroz the Gaming Engineering Manager for AMD.

I hope this clears any confusion up. Mantle isn't even that big of a deal anyway, since it currently will only support AMD hardware which has a bad history on Linux, and AMD, Intel & Nvidia all talked about unlocking 15x more performance with OpenGL anyway, so Mantle seems like a wasted effort.

Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
Tags: Editorial
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27 comments
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Guest Apr 14, 2014
Yeah, well, this is the company that fired most of their Linux kernel devs in 2012. I won't take seriously anything they *say* until I see some solid stuff.

For all the talk about Mantle being open and yadda yadda, we have yet to see specifications.
Sslaxx Apr 14, 2014
Yeah, well, this is the company that fired most of their Linux kernel devs in 2012. I won't take seriously anything they *say* until I see some solid stuff.

For all the talk about Mantle being open and yadda yadda, we have yet to see specifications.
With any luck, Mantle'll end up being killed before too long.
Kristian Apr 14, 2014
Does the fact that Apsyr Media is involved in the Linux(and Mac OSX) ports of the new Civ game mean that we will have to select platform on Steam and that it won't support Steamplay?
Liam Dawe Apr 14, 2014
Does the fact that Apsyr Media is involved in the Linux(and Mac OSX) ports of the new Civ game mean that we will have to select platform on Steam and that it won't support Steamplay?
No, they did the Civ ports last time and Borderlands, all Steam Play.

Only issue is we may see delays with patches and DLC.
Sabun Apr 14, 2014
I'm not surprised that there's no current implementation of Mantle for Linux (if the developers don't have access to anything, than you can be damned sure it won't exist anytime soon). AMD never actively stated they would support any other OS besides Windows with it. On top of that, AMD struggle to support the latest kernels with their Catalyst driver.

I find it near impossible they'd be able to manage a whole new API support for Linux. In time they might hire more Linux staff, but until then they will stay behind in performance and support for Linux compared to their Windows side.
gbudny Apr 14, 2014
I do not get it. Why Aspyr is porting his first game to Linux? They change their mind about Linux, and now they will become another company involved in porting games to Linux? Perhaps, they port only one game to Linux and they won't do it anymore in the future. I bought some games from them, but I did not think that they will port a game to Linux. Can clarify that situation?
Half-Shot Apr 14, 2014
Never saw the point of mantle, and makez no difference really if we get it or not. OpenGL is fine really, AMD need to improve their driver to work with linux rather than stuck on it and better preformance will happen.
Anonymous Apr 15, 2014
AMD sucks... Mantle is a waste effort when they could just use that time to improve their driver.

I won't be buying another AMD hardware that for sure. Who needs AMD?
Anonymous Apr 15, 2014
AMD sucks... Mantle is a waste effort when they could just use that time to improve their driver.

I won't be buying another AMD hardware that for sure. Who needs AMD?
Mantle served its purpose in pointing out how much overhead there is (or has been) with gaming. We can get an awful lot more out of current machines if that overhead is stripped away. There is a reason DX12 is going the same way as Mantle, and there is a reason for a recent collusion between manufacturers on how to reduce driver overhead when using OpenGL. That benefits everyone, not just AMD (though undoubtedly they get the greatest benefit from it with APU systems). For those reasons alone, Mantle has been successful and worth it to the companies and consumers, regardless of whether it comes out on Linux or not.
Also, AMD & FOSS drivers. Enough said.

FOSS drivers are good but dude it not good enough...
Guest Apr 15, 2014
FOSS drivers are good but dude it not good enough...
Alright, I'll bite, how is having FOSS drivers and providing full programmer's documentation not good enough? Intel and AMD both do that, and both contribute to their development. Not really sure what more you're expecting there.
Geez, I don't know... performance?. We're talking about gaming here.

Of course I expect the "it works just fine for me" band wagon to arrive. I mean, somehow you need to justify spending money on AMD's crap and still feel good about it.
Hamish Apr 15, 2014
Geez, I don't know... performance?. We're talking about gaming here.

Of course I expect the "it works just fine for me" band wagon to arrive. I mean, somehow you need to justify spending money on AMD's crap and still feel good about it.

Geez, I don't know... performance? We're talking about gaming here.

Of course I expect the "it works just fine for me" band wagon to arrive. I mean, somehow you need to justify spending time with this Linux crap and still feel good about it


See how that sounds for you. It is the crux of your own argument.

I only use FOSS drivers for many good and valid reasons, including for all of the gaming that I currently do. I appreciate the fact that I can use my AMD cards the way I want to, which is something I can not currently say for Nvidia.
Guest Apr 15, 2014
It sounds like I struck a chord of an AMD fan :)

Good.

The thing is that for me, as an nvidia user, the number of games that will work is higher than those that work for AMD users. I'm not talking about the native titles... but about the ones that still are not ported and need wine in some form.

If you're fine with a smaller selection of games you can play good for you.

Of course you can twist this again and make it about Linux, but the thing is that while most of the time I do use Linux, I have no issues running Windows when I really need it. I have a feeling you would not do that.

This, again, may be fine for you... it's not fine for me.
Guest Apr 15, 2014
It sounds like I struck a chord of an AMD fan :)

Good.
See, now you're just coming across as a trolling hater. I pity you that you feel you need to be that way.

Label me however you like... as long as it makes you feel good about your choice and the money you spent :)
Hamish Apr 15, 2014
Of course you can twist this again and make it about Linux, but the thing is that while most of the time I do use Linux, I have no issues running Windows when I really need it. I have a feeling you would not do that.

The difference is neither I or mirv are making inflammatory posts about Windows users, not that I can speak for his platform choices.

as long as it makes you feel good about your choice and the money you spent

I have actually spent very little money on graphics cards; my current one I got used for $40 dollars over three years ago. It is still the best graphics card I have ever had the pleasure of using, so I definitely have no regrets in purchasing it.
Guest Apr 15, 2014
It sounds like I struck a chord of an AMD fan :)

Good.
See, now you're just coming across as a trolling hater. I pity you that you feel you need to be that way.
Label me however you like... as long as it makes you feel good about your choice and the money you spent :)
It seems you're not happy with how other people choose to spend their money, or if their opinion differs to your own. Such a shame, such a shame.

Oh dude, please don't try to humour me. If throwing money at the company which shies away from properly supporting people that buy their products is your thing, then by all means, continue to do so.

Don't worry about making *me* happy. I got that covered ;)
n30p1r4t3 Apr 16, 2014
AMD for the money can't be beat.
Guest Apr 16, 2014
Oh dude, please don't try to humour me. If throwing money at the company which shies away from properly supporting people that buy their products is your thing, then by all means, continue to do so.

Don't worry about making *me* happy. I got that covered ;)
As amusing as this has been, I'll make one more post here: why are you using Linux? You obviously don't care for FOSS principles, and care a great deal for games running under wine, not natively, so one wonders why you don't just stick with Windows?

Oh man, that has to be really hard to understand for some people, but here it is, plain and simple. Linux works better for me and what I need to do than Windows. Even the Unity interface is years ahead of what MS can muster on Windows. From my p.o.v. at least.

Are you saying that I should not use Linux if I don't care for FOSS principles? Please point me to the license that forbids me to use the software because of political beliefs. You lot are a riot.

Or go with Intel. They've been quite supportive of Linux.

Actually I *do* use Intel kit. They did not fire their Linux developers, on the contrary, they make sure to have support for upcoming products in the kernel way ahead of the actual product launch. They have my support and my money.

The only thing I don't use is their IGPs. The performance sucks... but, if it ever gets better, I'll drop nvidia in a heartbeat. The same goes for AMD.

A closed up blob and downright hostility towards kernel developers is not supportive of Linux, and not supportive of its community

I do not care. Actually I care even less about the so called "community". I want to be able to fully use my hardware. Intel enables that for me, so does nvidia. AMD? not so much.

If Mantle does come to Linux, and released and open API, then you can bet nVidia wouldn't support that either.

If, if if if if... Facts bro', not ifs. As far as I'm concerned, Mantle is the equivalent of 3dfx's Glide api. If they ever release specs good enough for people to be able to create their own implementations, I shall change my mind... IF... ever

I understand that some people are rather pragmatic in that they use nVidia's blobs, but they generally also care about FOSS, and want games natively instead of through wine. Many would also, if given the option, go for an open source driver (leaving aside games, Mesa drivers + desktop far surpasses anything blobs from any company can do).

So, lemme get this straight... because I care about native games (I already have over 100 of them), I should deny myself the ability to run those titles that have not been ported.

You don't get the pragmatist's mindset.

This part at least, does not compute at all:
they generally also care about FOSS, and want games natively instead of through wine

You do realise that most of those native games are as closed source and a good part of them even use Valve's DRM. There's nothing FOSSy about that. Come on people, be consistent.
Guest Apr 16, 2014
I don't see anything on there about the Mantle API... which was the point of my comparison to Glide.

As for "not bothering" with the rest of my statements... ouch, truth really hurts huh? Not surprising, the mind of a zealot is a tough nut to crack.

Bonus: here's how "awesome" the R9 290 is supported by the open drivers

Trying Out Radeon R9 290 Graphics On Open-Source

AMD! rah! rah! rah!
Guest Apr 16, 2014
Derogatory statements like this one?

See, now you're just coming across as a trolling hater. I pity you that you feel you need to be that way.

The fact that Mantle is not public, makes it just like Glide.
Anonymous Apr 16, 2014
FOSS drivers are good but dude it not good enough...
Alright, I'll bite, how is having FOSS drivers and providing full programmer's documentation not good enough? Intel and AMD both do that, and both contribute to their development. Not really sure what more you're expecting there.


What the hell... I am surprised people are not getting the fact that AMD is just using FOSS developers to save money. It makes AMD look "good" by providing documentations and stuff but really they just doing that because they can't be bother to provide good stable driver by them self. And by the looks of it, it seem to fooled people like you.

Intel is different because actually they provide document AND have their OWN developers working on it.
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