Support us on Patreon
PayPal
Sooner than I thought they would, but exciting to see. There are details leaking out that Nvidia GPU driver 358.66 will add a bunch of Vulkan support in.
The leak is apparently thanks to Microsoft's Windows Update, so we don't know when it will be released, or if it will include Linux support right away. Nvidia's Linux and Windows driver tend to share a lot of code, so it's hopeful Linux won't miss out on early support, especially with the backing from Valve.
It's exciting, as personally I didn't think they would come out at all in driver form until next year. Vulkan is extremely important for Linux gaming, so the sooner it is available, the sooner it can be added into the likes of Unity, Unreal Engine and more. Vulkan should solve some long-standing issues Linux games have with OpenGL, but remember it's not some magic pill. It will take time for people to move to it.
It's still very likely that Dota 2 will be the first game to use it, but I will be more interested to see some graphically heavy games use it.
This doesn't necessarily mean Vulkan is done and waiting for a formal release announcement, it could be that Nvidia is just getting ready early, but we can hope it does mean Vulkan is about to be formally released.
Source Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
The leak is apparently thanks to Microsoft's Windows Update, so we don't know when it will be released, or if it will include Linux support right away. Nvidia's Linux and Windows driver tend to share a lot of code, so it's hopeful Linux won't miss out on early support, especially with the backing from Valve.
It's exciting, as personally I didn't think they would come out at all in driver form until next year. Vulkan is extremely important for Linux gaming, so the sooner it is available, the sooner it can be added into the likes of Unity, Unreal Engine and more. Vulkan should solve some long-standing issues Linux games have with OpenGL, but remember it's not some magic pill. It will take time for people to move to it.
It's still very likely that Dota 2 will be the first game to use it, but I will be more interested to see some graphically heavy games use it.
This doesn't necessarily mean Vulkan is done and waiting for a formal release announcement, it could be that Nvidia is just getting ready early, but we can hope it does mean Vulkan is about to be formally released.
Source Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
0 Likes
Some you may have missed, popular articles from the last month:
The comments on this article are closed.
Kwaadpepper Nov 4, 2015
QuoteAnd even if Mir doesn't die, as long as openGL and Vulkan games run under it - nothing to worry about.Well what i meant is mostly that we could finally have an unified solution that would give all platform nearly equals chances to win ( even though GNU/Linux is the most promising objectively ). So Apple spitting in the soup is acting a bit like Canonical, or the opposite may be more relevant. Apple is just locking everything up as usual, this drives me crazy because it will affect our be-loving penguin !
0 Likes
@Kwaadpepper
I see your points.
Apple still a part of Kronos Group though.
Could it still be compatible?
Maybe Apple refused Vulkan as the main focus, since adopting another's companies solution would be too much for them it seems.
Last edited by amonobeax on 4 November 2015 at 5:31 pm UTC
I see your points.
Apple still a part of Kronos Group though.
Could it still be compatible?
Maybe Apple refused Vulkan as the main focus, since adopting another's companies solution would be too much for them it seems.
Last edited by amonobeax on 4 November 2015 at 5:31 pm UTC
0 Likes
Kallestofeles Nov 4, 2015
The way I see it:
Main advantage of Vulkan towards Linux gaming will shift into gear when devs actually see it comparing to dx12. Even if they are equal in performance and features then the winner would be Vulkan, as the devs would use the same code for porting the game for windows/linux/mac, whichever their original OS of choice might be... and it would run at basically the same performance on all of them. No need to fuzz about optimizing or porting OpenGL.
This could really open up the PC market... by PC I mean Linux/Windows/MAC as they all are PCs (Personal Computer) in the end.
Main advantage of Vulkan towards Linux gaming will shift into gear when devs actually see it comparing to dx12. Even if they are equal in performance and features then the winner would be Vulkan, as the devs would use the same code for porting the game for windows/linux/mac, whichever their original OS of choice might be... and it would run at basically the same performance on all of them. No need to fuzz about optimizing or porting OpenGL.
This could really open up the PC market... by PC I mean Linux/Windows/MAC as they all are PCs (Personal Computer) in the end.
1 Likes, Who?
I see Vulkan as a game-changer as soon as it becomes available for the PS4 and only if the performance there is comparable or even better than the low-level api sony provides.
Also, stop comparing DX12 with Vulkan. Vulkan is only graphics, while DX is a lot more!
Last edited by Maelrane on 4 November 2015 at 5:44 pm UTC
Also, stop comparing DX12 with Vulkan. Vulkan is only graphics, while DX is a lot more!
Last edited by Maelrane on 4 November 2015 at 5:44 pm UTC
0 Likes
Quoting: dimkoI wonder, how much money Mac gamers spend and how much Linux user spend. While sheer number is high, it means not translation into money.My guess would be that someone who is capable of paying $2000 for a laptop could also spend quite a few bucks into games.
0 Likes
Kwaadpepper Nov 4, 2015
Quoting: MayeulCQuoting: dimkoI wonder, how much money Mac gamers spend and how much Linux user spend. While sheer number is high, it means not translation into money.My guess would be that someone who is capable of paying $2000 for a laptop could also spend quite a few bucks into games.
There is also a lot people buying mac to do just work, facebook and stuff. I think majority of them don't buy it to play games in their mind, as Gaming on PC is more likely to be on Windows for the majority doxa (i hope this sentence is correct :x )
Last edited by Kwaadpepper on 4 November 2015 at 6:54 pm UTC
0 Likes
Quoting: KwaadpepperConsidering Osx is like 4%, GNU/Linux is lke 1%, and developers are like, we develop only for Windows and Mac because of the market share and stuff, [...]
So i think devs might stick to DX12 and use Metal, thats what may going to happen and my greatest fear, am i wrong ?
If I understand correctly, DX12 is Windows 10 exclusive. According to the latest Steam survey, Windows 10 is at 28%. Of course, a lot of people will upgrade once DX12 games are released, but the upgrade is only free during the first year, and if you update your hardware afterwards you'll have to buy a license (again, as far as I understand, I'm no Windows expert). So afterwards, people would have to either buy the Win10 license, or stick with the 7 or 8 license they have.
I'm kind of hoping that enough people sticking with Win 7 or 8 will make developers consider using Vulkan over DX12.
0 Likes
Windows vs Linux arguments? Just to put it out there Android will use Vulkan as well. And Android accounts for what like 60% or all people atm? I really don't know just pulled that number out of my arse. As far as Nvidia putting it out there, some posts are right at the moment there will be very little impact except as a DOTA2 backend.
0 Likes
ElectricPrism Nov 4, 2015
Quoting: MayeulCQuoting: dimkoI wonder, how much money Mac gamers spend and how much Linux user spend. While sheer number is high, it means not translation into money.My guess would be that someone who is capable of paying $2000 for a laptop could also spend quite a few bucks into games.
A - A main reason people buy macs is so that they don't get viruses when they watch porn. Then if there's no virus there's no paper trail. Also, it's nice to own a status symbol of wealth. (Go ahead and flame me for this but on some level it's absolutely historically true.)
B - Don't be so sure that rich people are quick to let go of their precious money. It's the middle class and poor that will spend their money on all kinds of things, trinkets, humble bundles, cheap games, etc... The rich are much more close-fisted even if they do make large purchases.
C - Apple's Metal GL and Mir don't decrease Vulkan's future role as the gaming market's Dominiator. Anyone who is dumb enough to make a game locked to Apple OSX has fetal alcohol syndrome.
And Mir? My understanding is it would be theoretically possible for Mir Compositor to implement Wayland Protocol (Remember Wayland is not a compositor, it's just a protocol spec).
Canonical has left the Linux Desktop fight and are trying to emerge in the Tablet / Phone market scape, I have 0 interest in playing my AAA games on a phone or tablet when I have a 4k 43" TV connected to my Linux PC built out of more expensive parts than I ever imagined I would buy.
This is fantastic news about Vulkan beginning to emerge! :) Very exciting Times, my waifu and I agree that Valve is going to dramatically disrupt and efface the Console gaming scene as we know it.
Game Devs will no longer need to reserve shelf space in Brick & Mordar stores, Consoles will no longer need DVD drives, and you'll no longer need to store countless physical copies of discs that get scratched requiring you to buy the same game over and over.
Xbox Live & PSN Membership Fees @ $60/year? Forget it - Valve has set the bar for free Steam Online as it was birthed from Free Online. Your PS4 and XBONE controllers? Use them on Steam Machines - seems a bit like herasy or taboo but that'll be nice to gamers who already own 3-4 PS4 / Xbone controllers - saves $200.
Most important of all, no more Mario bull5h1t. No more Mario Subway Conductor, Mario Golf, Mario Tennis, Super Smash Brothers 57 requiring you to spent $180 on characters just to play. I don't think PlayStation could offer any incentive either to land-lock Final Fantasy, Metal Gear Solid, etc... as we've seen PC releases for most titles that had a history of being PS exclusive.
Additionally, Imagine your games never go away - The same copy of Super Mario Bros you purchased in the 1990s works on the latest game console today! Valve's Library of 1500+ Linux Games and 100 new games per month blows XBONE and PS out of the water - and if you're going to see Indie Games emerge from Game Devs it's going to happen on Steam Machines.
Fear not, Lord Gaben will take care of the people of Steam (not to mention that Steam is not a public company, but privately owned so the potential for political investor bs goes away pretty fast.)
3 Likes, Who?
LinuxGamesTV Nov 4, 2015
Valve don't support DX 12, they support Vulkan only.
The Ashes of Singularity Game will support Vulkan, i think ?!?
All the Game Dev's who supports Linux today, they will support Vulkan too.
The Ashes of Singularity Game will support Vulkan, i think ?!?
All the Game Dev's who supports Linux today, they will support Vulkan too.
0 Likes
See more from me