Confused on Steam Play and Proton? Be sure to check out our guide.
We do often include affiliate links to earn us some pennies. See more here.

Valve have announced the release of Steam Play Proton 4.11, this is a pretty exciting one and it's pretty huge overall.

Firstly, it was re-based on top of Wine 4.11. So it brings thousands of improvements over, considering that's quite a version bump. Additionally, 154 patches from Proton were upstreamed directly to Wine!

The next exciting bit is that Valve are now funding D9VK (and have been since June according to developer Joshua Ashton), along with shipping it in Proton as part of this update. This Vulkan-based Direct3D 9 renderer is still experimental, so it's not enabled by default as you need to use the "PROTON_USE_D9VK" setting.

Additionally DXVK was updated to 1.3, your current display refresh rate is now actually reported to games, there's more fixes to window management and mouse cursor focus, VR users rejoice as there's support for the latest OpenVR SDKs, FAudio was updated to 19.07, GameMaker titles got a fix for networking and there's a joystick input lag fix and rumble support for certain games.

Possibly just as exciting, is that a bunch of Wine "modules" are now built as Windows PE files instead of Linux libraries. Eventually, this will help some DRM and anti-cheat systems as work progresses on it. Fantastic to see work on that being done!

Is that all? Oh no—there's more.

When Valve identified issues with multi-threaded games as Proton development was being ramped up, CodeWeavers worked on developing the "esync" patchset to address it. It worked well but it came with multiple issues. As Valve said it needed a "special setup" and can cause "file descriptor exhaustion problems in event-hungry applications", they also think it "results in extraneous spinning in the kernel". So, they're working on what they're calling fsync and suggesting changes to accommodate it in the Linux Kernel.

Valve also showed off some proof-of-concept glibc patches, to expose the Kernel patches as part of the pthread library to get it all working. They said that if it's all accepted, "we would achieve efficiency gains by adopting it in native massively-threaded applications such as Steam and the Source 2 engine". You can read more about all that work in this Steam forum post and fsync testing instructions here.

As always, the Proton changelog for Steam Play can be found here.

Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
49 Likes
About the author -
author picture
I am the owner of GamingOnLinux. After discovering Linux back in the days of Mandrake in 2003, I constantly checked on the progress of Linux until Ubuntu appeared on the scene and it helped me to really love it. You can reach me easily by emailing GamingOnLinux directly.
See more from me
The comments on this article are closed.
68 comments
Page: «3/4»
  Go to:

kuhpunkt Jul 31, 2019
Quoting: ThormackAnyone tried Skyrim and Skyrim SE to see if the sound issues are fixed?
(And other minor issues like event triggers).

That will take a while.
mrdeathjr Jul 31, 2019
Quoting: Comandante ÑoñardoVsync doesn't work on Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood, but the game itself works out of the box.

maybe can use this setting in your dxvk.conf file

d3d9.presentInterval = 1

in my case put vsync in all games tested

^_^
STiAT Jul 31, 2019
Funding D9VK was a logical step considering the progress done, and DXVK devs actually participating already hinted to an increased involvement / checking project viability. I'm happy for Josh, not knowing about contract details I hope he finishes his education and has this as a summer job.

I'm sure that guy will make his way, which ever path he chooses, but finishing education certainly wouldn't hurt. Very skilled youth with a lot of passion.

He deserves it. More than that, I appreciate the work he does, and I appreciate Valve for recognizing that his work is worth funding. We all knew that for quite some time. I hope they understand his age and keep a balance with his education and work.

Thanks Josh first of all, incredible things you've done, can't thank you enough, and thanks Valve for recognizing and funding.
Shmerl Aug 1, 2019
Quoting: EikeSo we can declare Game Over on native Linux gaming besides "retro-inspired"?

Probably less so Feral based, more so studios doing their own thing. Because expertise in Vulkan development is going to increase going forward (thanks in part to Stadia).
jarhead_h Aug 1, 2019
At this point I genuinely cannot understand why there would be any Linux gamers left who aren't on Steam. Don't talk to me about DRM, because Valve has done more for Linux's future this past year I think than any other company I can name. They are using resources on us cannot be justified with the current userbase and I believe that deserves reciprocity. I'm not saying you have to re-buy your GOG library over on Steam, but you should really start buying stuff there if you aren't already.

You keep saying that you want to reward developers that support Linux, well I'd say that Valve counts.
Shmerl Aug 1, 2019
Quoting: jarhead_hAt this point I genuinely cannot understand why there would be any Linux gamers left who aren't on Steam. Don't talk to me about DRM, because Valve has done more for Linux's future this past year I think than any other company I can name.

One doesn't really excuse the other. I.e. I surely support what Valve does for Linux gaming, but I don't support DRM. If you want to help FOSS projects, you can contribute to them. Either with code, or bug reports and testing. Valve does it not because they need financial incentive for FOSS contributions (like some developers using Patreon and other crowdfunding for that). They are doing it because it suits them, and it's good. Many companies contribute to FOSS because FOSS actually makes sense. And kudos to Valve for doing so.

And regarding DRM - it's not actually hard for Valve to start offering DRM-free options, like other stores do. They just don't see it as important.


Last edited by Shmerl on 1 August 2019 at 1:30 am UTC
Murdered Soul Suspect in DX11 still crash when entering the cemetery.



In DX9 mode, the game works perfect with d9vk... and with 60fps, unlike the dx11 mode that is capped at 30fps.
orochi_kyo Aug 1, 2019
Quoting: jarhead_hAt this point I genuinely cannot understand why there would be any Linux gamers left who aren't on Steam. Don't talk to me about DRM, because Valve has done more for Linux's future this past year I think than any other company I can name. They are using resources on us cannot be justified with the current userbase and I believe that deserves reciprocity. I'm not saying you have to re-buy your GOG library over on Steam, but you should really start buying stuff there if you aren't already.

You keep saying that you want to reward developers that support Linux, well I'd say that Valve counts.

One can not understand reasons of Valve haters, dont even try it. It is so easy for Ubisoft to jump into the open source wagon (Blender) after the years of pain to make Open software to reach professional paid software level. Now Ubisoft are the cool guys, as Epic giving money to these poor souls.
Steam was here when even Epic said PC gaming was dead, was there when Ubisoft Ceo said all PC gamers are pirates. People tends to forget this on purpose, part of the cherry picking reasoning kids have these days.
PC gamers are ungrateful but when it comes to Linux gaming we should have a real different attitude towards Steam.
mylka Aug 1, 2019
Quoting: Comandante ÑoñardoMurdered Soul Suspect in DX11 still crash when entering the cemetery.



In DX9 mode, the game works perfect with d9vk... and with 60fps, unlike the dx11 mode that is capped at 30fps.

seems to be an nvidia problem not DXVK, or proton
https://www.protondb.com/app/233290
AMD only caps 30fps in cutscenes and it didnt froze at cemetery

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZT1Tsm0p_oo
Deadfall Adventures via forced PROTON 4.11-1 and D9Vk WORKS WITH MORE PERFORMANCE THAN NATIVE VERSION.

Offtopic: I just got the Steam Hardware Survey popup!
anarchist_tomato Aug 1, 2019
Mouse focus issues? Does that mean they've fixed the invisible wall bug? (That to me is the biggest bug we still have).
Trias Aug 1, 2019
View PC info
  • Supporter
Quoting: ShmerlAnd regarding DRM - it's not actually hard for Valve to start offering DRM-free options, like other stores do. They just don't see it as important.

Just for information – it is possible to publish a DRM-free game on Steam. For example, Space Rangers HD: A War Apart (a very good game, by the way) is DRM-free, as stated in a special notification - “Incorporates 3rd-party DRM: DRM Free!”. Even if this option is not well-advertised, it is still possible…
Eike Aug 1, 2019
View PC info
  • Supporter Plus
Quoting: Guest
Quoting: ShmerlBecause expertise in Vulkan development is going to increase going forward (thanks in part to Stadia).

Why would "expertise in Vulkan development" increase? The whole point of Proton, from a developer's pov, is that you do not need to move away from DirectX to support another platform...

The announcement of Proton had the plea to developers to use Proton Vulkan...


Last edited by Eike on 1 August 2019 at 11:25 am UTC
Eike Aug 1, 2019
View PC info
  • Supporter Plus
Quoting: Guest
Quoting: EikeThe announcement of Proton had the plea to developers to use Proton...

I don't understand what this means.

Sorry. :-D
Will fix the post.


Last edited by Eike on 1 August 2019 at 12:01 pm UTC
KuJo Aug 1, 2019
It´s interesting to see the growth of the Proton-Code:

SteamPlay Compatibility tools
Tool
Display Name
AppID / DepotID
Size

proton_411
Proton 4.11-1
1113280 / 1113281
693.00 MiB

proton_42
Proton 4.2-9
1054830 / 1054831
401.00 MiB

proton_316
Proton 3.16-9
961940 / 961941
395.00 MiB

proton_37
Proton 3.7-8
858280 / 858281
371.00 MiB
-> https://steamdb.info/app/891390/info/

A minor increase von 37 to 316 and to 42 (in total about 8%.
But from 42 to 411 a big jump of 72%!


Last edited by KuJo on 1 August 2019 at 12:42 pm UTC
Dunc Aug 1, 2019
Quoting: jarhead_hAt this point I genuinely cannot understand why there would be any Linux gamers left who aren't on Steam. Don't talk to me about DRM, because Valve has done more for Linux's future this past year I think than any other company I can name.
I'm no fan of DRM, but here's the thing: I've been gaming for (well) over 30 years, and there isn't a single game I've ever bought in all that time which I can't play any more because of DRM. Not one. I've even lost manuals from the days of enter-a-word-from-the-manual DRM, and I've just gone online and downloaded a cracked version. (With absolutely no moral qualms whatsoever. I bought the game.)

It always gets cracked. Every time. That's really my main problem with it, in fact: it causes inconvenience to legitimate players, and it doesn't work. In that light, although I'm not trying to defend it, Steam's DRM is less objectionable than most since it's virtually invisible when you play.

What does bother me is always-online and cloud saving. I tried to play GTAV offline on my XBox 360 a few weeks ago, and it turns out a) I can't load my old saves, and b) I can't save my progress from a new game. I've got a physical copy, and it still runs. But there's no point in playing it. That's way more worrying than snake-oil DRM.
Shmerl Aug 1, 2019
Quoting: TriasJust for information – it is possible to publish a DRM-free game on Steam. For example, Space Rangers HD: A War Apart (a very good game, by the way) is DRM-free, as stated in a special notification - “Incorporates 3rd-party DRM: DRM Free!”. Even if this option is not well-advertised, it is still possible…

In practical terms, what Valve could do to improve the situation:

1. Start offering standalone downloads for games as an option (like GOG, Humble and itch.io do).
2. Clarify / fix up their TOS, to allow DRM-free scenarios without any ambiguity.

That would go already a long way, even if not as far as fully DRM-free store like GOG.


Last edited by Shmerl on 1 August 2019 at 3:13 pm UTC
jgacas Aug 1, 2019
I am impressed with a performance of d9vk. Number of games that were unplayable on my old machine now run perfectly fine. To name a few:
- Burnout Paradise (most of the time perfect 60 FPS)
- Dragon's Dogma (30 - 60 FPS, I barely had 10 FPS in some areas)
- Call Of Pripyat (over 100 FPS in open areas, 30 in some indoor areas)
jarhead_h Aug 2, 2019
Quoting: Dunc
Quoting: jarhead_hAt this point I genuinely cannot understand why there would be any Linux gamers left who aren't on Steam. Don't talk to me about DRM, because Valve has done more for Linux's future this past year I think than any other company I can name.
I'm no fan of DRM, but here's the thing: I've been gaming for (well) over 30 years....

Same.

Quoting: DuncWhat does bother me is always-online and cloud saving. I tried to play GTAV offline on my XBox 360 a few weeks ago, and it turns out a) I can't load my old saves, and b) I can't save my progress from a new game. I've got a physical copy, and it still runs. But there's no point in playing it. That's way more worrying than snake-oil DRM.

This does not apply to Steam because of Steam's Offline mode. The thing we have to worry about is Valve going out of business. Steam is only fifteen years old, or already fifteen years old depending on how you want to look at it.
While you're here, please consider supporting GamingOnLinux on:

Reward Tiers: Patreon. Plain Donations: PayPal.

This ensures all of our main content remains totally free for everyone! Patreon supporters can also remove all adverts and sponsors! Supporting us helps bring good, fresh content. Without your continued support, we simply could not continue!

You can find even more ways to support us on this dedicated page any time. If you already are, thank you!
The comments on this article are closed.