We've known for a while that the massive and popular RPG Path of Exile was going to get a Vulkan API implementation and they would have liked to do Linux support, seems like they're continuing that line of thinking.
In a new interview done by YouTuber Zizaran, they were testing out some upcoming content and changes coming with the recently announced Path of Exile 2. While doing this they were joined by Chris Wilson from Path of Exile developer Grinding Gear Games to answer some questions.
When talking about their plans, Wilson mentioned: "We realised that if we did a port to Vulkan, which is a renderer that is used on phones and various other stuff, we get Mac support, we get Linux support, we get support for things like Google Stadia and so on - it was just worthwhile to do a Vulkan port. So we started that, because it's going to be good for Path of Exile players.".
If you're interested, you can see the full video below with the Linux mention starting around 6:40.
Direct Link
It's really great to see that Grinding Gear Games continue keeping a port to Linux in mind, while it's not confirmation it's clear they are thinking about it and porting their game to Vulkan makes that possibility a lot closer to reality.
With Path of Exile 2 due out late next year, we should hopefully hear more closer to then. You can find out more about Path of Exile 2 here.
Hat tip to NuSuey.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
Quoting: Beamboom... But will they get Mac support? I thought they did not use vulkan but something else they made themselves? I thought that was the entire problem with Mac and gaming nowadays?A good question, although my answer would tend to be: Don't care. Mac's walled garden can go fertilize itself.
Avehicle7887 Nov 19, 2019
As for the game itself, I'm more excited for this than Diablo 4. I played the first PoE a lot back in the day, was never a pro but it was fun, I still play it occasionally.
Quote"We realised that if we did a port to Vulkan, which is a renderer that is used on phones and various other stuff, we get Mac support, we get Linux support, we get support for things like Google Stadia and so on ..."
I wish other devs would follow that chain arguments.
Yet, we know. A Vulkan renderer does not automatically mean Linux support. :/
Quoting: subI wish other devs would follow that chain arguments.
The biggest fear for MS and other two remaining lock-in freaks :) And likely many will follow it now. Stadia tipped the scale.
Last edited by Shmerl on 20 November 2019 at 12:37 am UTC
Quoting: Avehicle7887As for the game itself, I'm more excited for this than Diablo 4. I played the first PoE a lot back in the day, was never a pro but it was fun, I still play it occasionally.
I'm waiting for gfx-rs to enable Vulkan to DX12 and Vulkan to GNM translation, as MoltenVK does for Vulkan to Metal. That will speed up demise of the lock-in even more.
Last edited by Shmerl on 19 November 2019 at 7:49 pm UTC
Quoting: Beamboom... But will they get Mac support? I thought they did not use vulkan but something else they made themselves? I thought that was the entire problem with Mac and gaming nowadays?They will probably use MoltenVK, they had a slide explicitly announcing MacOS support.
PoE2 looks really crips tho, I really hope we get to see a linux port :).
QuoteYet, we know. A Vulkan renderer does not automatically mean Linux support. :/
But he said the word! Linux :D
Last edited by Zelox on 19 November 2019 at 9:00 pm UTC
Quoting: ShmerlDoes seem to be an early sign that Stadia could actually have positive spin-off effects for normal Linux gaming.Quoting: subI wish other devs would follow that chain arguments.
The biggest fear for MS and other two remaining lock-in freaks :) And likely many will follow it now. Stadia tipped the scales.
Quoting: Purple Library GuyQuoting: ShmerlThe biggest fear for MS and other two remaining lock-in freaks :) And likely many will follow it now. Stadia tipped the scales.Does seem to be an early sign that Stadia could actually have positive spin-off effects for normal Linux gaming.
Wanted to say the same, and that even before the day Stadia released! :)
Avehicle7887 Nov 20, 2019
Realistically I don't see them putting all those resources into that even if a Linux version can be done easily. They'd rather have you jump through Wine hoops than supporting it officially, gives them a good excuse to avoid extra support costs.
There may however be a shred of hope for DRM Free games or Steam ones without a 3rd party client required.
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