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The Long Dark, a pretty decent game that has both a story mode and a fully fledged survival mode just got a huge update.

Firstly, for those who felt the story mode was a bit too linear—they've listened. They're reworking the first two episodes to be more open, to fit in with the third unreleased episode which they said was going to be more open anyway.

Before that though, we have today's "VIGILANT FLAME" update, more details in this video:

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Full update notes here.

I'm definitely going to be diving into the survival mode again this weekend, I just hope a pack of wolves doesn't chase me into an abandoned vehicle like last time—fricken wolves!

If it sounds good to you, pick it up on Humble Store, GOG or Steam.

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17 comments

Shmerl Jun 14, 2018
Does anyone experience a hang on startup in the GOG version?

See https://www.gog.com/forum/the_long_dark/audio_errors_on_linux

It's quite annoying and basically makes it unplayable.


Last edited by Shmerl on 14 June 2018 at 7:39 pm UTC
WorMzy Jun 14, 2018
Really excited about the new cooking mechanics! Gonna have to replay this again soon. Maybe I'll actually be able to complete one of the missions this time. (spoiler: I won't)
Ehvis Jun 14, 2018
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Some of that stuff looks great.

Not so sure what I should do with the updated first two episodes. Spent like 35 hours on completing those and I think I'd rather just continue the next one.
Nezchan Jun 14, 2018
QuoteI'm definitely going to be diving into the survival mode again this weekend, I just hope a pack of wolves doesn't chase me into an abandoned vehicle like last time—fricken wolves!

Of course that won't happen this time, Liam. The new area doesn't have a vehicle to hide in.
PublicNuisance Jun 15, 2018
Quoting: ShmerlDoes anyone experience a hang on startup in the GOG version?

See https://www.gog.com/forum/the_long_dark/audio_errors_on_linux

It's quite annoying and basically makes it unplayable.

I fired up my GOG copy (version 1.30) to see and had no issues. There was a startup screen that was all distorted and glitchy but I hit escape which brought me to the main menu. I was able to play 15 minutes of the survival mode and had no crashes or other issues. Specs are in my PC info but here's more in depth:

AMD Ryzen 5 2600X | 16GB DDR4-3000 CL15 | MSI RX 580 8GB Gaming X | Mesa 18.1 | Samsung 850 Evo 250GB | Gigabyte X470 Aorus Ultra Gaming | Corsair AX1200 | Solus 3 | Kernel 4.16.14-75.current

Was skeptical of how much I would like it but I enjoyed that 15 minute session. I will try it on Linux Mint in the next couple days and see if I have any issues there.

(I had to edit so many times because I no spel gud tonight)


Last edited by PublicNuisance on 15 June 2018 at 12:31 am UTC
hummer010 Jun 15, 2018
Quoting: PublicNuisanceWas skeptical of how much I would like it but I enjoyed that 15 minute session.

It's a really, really good game. It's right up there with Kerbal as my one of my favorite early access game that I ever bought.
PublicNuisance Jun 15, 2018
Quoting: hummer010
Quoting: PublicNuisanceWas skeptical of how much I would like it but I enjoyed that 15 minute session.

It's a really, really good game. It's right up there with Kerbal as my one of my favorite early access game that I ever bought.

Two things that really stood out to me as awesome were how when I jumped down a hill I sprained my ankle and later on when I was reading a book once it got too dark I could no longer read it. Nice subtle touches.
Shmerl Jun 15, 2018
Quoting: PublicNuisanceI fired up my GOG copy (version 1.30) to see and had no issues.

Good to know that it's working at least in some cases. It keeps hanging for me on Debian testing.
Shmerl Jun 15, 2018
When it hangs, I see it reports this in the terminal:

Preloaded 'ScreenSelector.so'
Preloaded 'libAkConvolutionReverb.so'
Preloaded 'libAkFlanger.so'
Preloaded 'libAkPitchShifter.so'
Preloaded 'libAkSoundEngine.so'
Preloaded 'libBink2x64.so'
Preloaded 'libBinkPluginLnx.so'
Preloaded 'libCSteamworks.so'
Preloaded 'libsteam_api.so'
Unable to preload the following plugins:
        ScreenSelector.so
        libAkConvolutionReverb.so
        libAkFlanger.so
        libAkPitchShifter.so
        libAkSoundEngine.so
        libBink2.so
        libBinkPluginLnx.so
        libCSteamworks.so
        libsteam_api.so


It's confusing that it first says preloaded, and then says unable to preload.
buono Jun 15, 2018
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@shmerl try these launch options
LD_PRELOAD=~/.local/share/Steam/ubuntu12_32/steam-runtime/amd64/usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/libSDL2-2.0.so.0 %command%

and libsdl2 ... :)


Last edited by buono on 16 June 2018 at 8:49 am UTC
Shmerl Jun 17, 2018
Quoting: buono@shmerl try these launch options
LD_PRELOAD=~/.local/share/Steam/ubuntu12_32/steam-runtime/amd64/usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/libSDL2-2.0.so.0 %command%

and libsdl2 ... :)

I'm using GOG version, and that suggestion is for Steam one. Do you know what actual SDL version is used in the Steam runtime? I can try finding the same one.


Last edited by Shmerl on 17 June 2018 at 7:27 pm UTC
Shmerl Jun 17, 2018
OK, I was able to launch the game by replacing the bundled SDL with libSDL2-2.0.so.0.4.0.

For Debian, you can get it here:
http://snapshot.debian.org/package/libsdl2/2.0.4%2Bdfsg2-1/#libsdl2-2.0-0_2.0.4:2b:dfsg2-1

But I get no sound in the game.


Last edited by Shmerl on 17 June 2018 at 4:46 pm UTC
buono Jun 17, 2018
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Does that package include the 32bit libraries as well?
Shmerl Jun 17, 2018
Quoting: buonoDoes that package include the 32bit libraries as well?

Yes.
buono Jun 17, 2018
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The only other thing I can think of then is to try the 32bit version of the game, the executable is in the same directory in the steam version. Hopefully the same for you. I hope it works because it is a great game. I have lost far too many hours in it. Currently it is running well for me except for an annoying graphical glitch sometimes when moving the camera.
buono Jun 17, 2018
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Played for a couple of hours tonight. The game and sound works but do still get errors in /tmp/dumps/...stdout.txt
along the lines of
AK Error: Plug-in not registered: 8912899
AK Error: Could not allocate effect: 8912899

I think some of the sound banks are missing in
~/.local/share/Steam/SteamApps/common/TheLongDark/tld_Data/StreamingAssets/Audio/GeneratedSoundBanks/Linux/

I am guessing this would refer to 8912899.wem that isnt there. Verified game files in steam and all okay. So maybe these were obsolete sounds or effects.
Jebblue Jul 4, 2018
I like the game play improvements, only wish for realistic graphics rather than the artsy look, if that were ever made possible in the game (choosing realistic over artsy); I'd put more hours into this game.
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