Project Stream, the game streaming platform Google is currently building is apparently built on Linux and uses the Vulkan API. While this isn't specifically Linux desktop gaming news, hopefully some of our readers will find it interesting.
For Project Stream, Google has partnered up with Ubisoft to show off Assassin's Creed Odyssey running on it. This is something I touched on, in an editorial I wrote at the start of last month with my thoughts on Valve doing such a service.
The interesting thing here, is that it seems to be part of some wider effort from Google for something code-named Yeti. According to Eurogamer, who had some hands-on time with the system. Here's the relevant text:
Our understanding is that Yeti is a bespoke platform, built on Linux and using Vulkan as the graphics API of choice. We are also told by sources that there will be deep integration with YouTube, not just in terms of infrastructure but also in being able to leap from watching a video into playing a game. Whether these innovative ideas will make it into the final product remains to be seen, but suffice to say, Yeti may well be a major next-gen contender, especially with that kind of backing.
Emphasis mine.
It's interesting, since Project Stream itself already works well on Linux. I've had multiple reports, from people who've also had hands-on with it tell me that it's working just as well on Linux as it does on Windows. Regardless of your feelings towards cloud gaming, including the technical hurdles it faces (which are pretty big) it's going to eventually be a much bigger thing with more developers pushing it.
A lot of questions remain, such as have Ubisoft essentially ported Assassin's Creed Odyssey to Linux with Vulkan, exclusively for use on Project Stream or is it using something more like Valve's Steam Play? Considering the performance it would need, it's likely a native port.
Regardless of either way it's been done, the little point I want to make is that with enough backing, big titles like this can be ported to Linux. Most of us know this already of course, with companies like Feral Interactive, Aspyr Media and Virtual Programming all having ported some bigger titles to Linux.
What do you make of this?
Hat tip to Marc.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
Quoting: elmapulnot having an linux version, but the windows version is DRM free
and:
having an linux version but with drm.
what would you chose?
I stick to DRM-free only, so the first option. Such things actually are not that uncommon unfortunately. There are a number of games that have a Linux version, but it's Steam only, and it has only Windows one on GOG. It's good that at least Windows one is available DRM-free, so I'd prefer that, to not having that option at all.
I.e. for example I can play Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II in Wine (GOG release), while Linux version by Aspyr is limited to Steam. If not for the Windows release at least, I wouldn't have played it at all.
At least some other Aspyr games for Linux came out on GOG. But for instance all Linux games by Feral are Steam exclusives. So even when some of them get DRM-free release on GOG for Windows, Feral refuse to release Linux versions there. It's regrettable, but at least those Windows versions can be playable in Wine.
Example: https://www.gog.com/game/xcom_enemy_unknown_complete_pack
Last edited by Shmerl on 2 December 2018 at 6:32 am UTC
Quoting: EhvisSo if the game has to run on Windows (let's face it, Ubisoft did not suddenly make Linux/Vulkan port for this) and the client is a browser, where does Vulkan factor in? Even if Linux is in between there for the hosting side, I still don't see a role for Vulkan.
I guess that's why they either ported AC to Linux or use something like Steam Play. I seriously doubt that Google wants to use Windows/pay for their licenses. That's where Vulkan comes in.
Quoting: kuhpunktI guess that's why they either ported AC to Linux or use something like Steam Play. I seriously doubt that Google wants to use Windows/pay for their licenses. That's where Vulkan comes in.
Rather I'd expect straight Wine+add-ons in such case. Google doesn't need Steam itself for their backend. Throwing in enough hardware, they can produce good performance for a lot of even Windows only games (using Wine).
Last edited by Shmerl on 2 December 2018 at 9:00 am UTC
Quoting: ShmerlQuoting: kuhpunktI guess that's why they either ported AC to Linux or use something like Steam Play. I seriously doubt that Google wants to use Windows/pay for their licenses. That's where Vulkan comes in.
Rather I'd expect straight Wine+add-ons in such case. Google doesn't need Steam itself for their backend. Throwing in enough hardware, they can produce good performance for a lot of even Windows only games (using Wine).
"something like" Steam Play ;)
I mean they could literally just use Proton, since it's open source.
Quoting: kuhpunktI mean they could literally just use Proton, since it's open source.
Yep, or whatever their flavor of Wine would be. Proton is still somewhat Steam specific.
If Google can push more developers to use Vulkan, it will be a big plus already.
Last edited by Shmerl on 2 December 2018 at 9:05 am UTC
Quoting: ShmerlQuoting: kuhpunktI mean they could literally just use Proton, since it's open source.
If Google can push more developers to use Vulkan, it will be a big plus already.
As long as they don't enforce Streaming only I'm fine with it as an alternative. If people want to use it... fine. But I would never want to rely on that.
Quoting: kuhpunktAs long as they don't enforce Streaming only I'm fine with it as an alternative. If people want to use it... fine. But I would never want to rely on that.
Yep, we'll have to wait and see if this will be spoiled by exclusivity or not.
wvstolzing Dec 2, 2018
Nevertheless, this sounds like very good news for Vulkan, etc.
Unfortunately, Valve is the only big publisher that also has a real heart for the Linux desktop. Fortunately, they own the biggest marketplace for PC games.
Last edited by 1xok on 2 December 2018 at 2:12 pm UTC
Patreon
PayPal
See more from me