Sad news today Linux gamers, Psyonix emailed us directly to make sure we saw the news that they're officially ending support of Rocket League on Linux and macOS.
Their published statement on this was quite short and didn't really explain much:
As we continue to upgrade Rocket League with new technologies, it is no longer viable for us to maintain support for the macOS and Linux (SteamOS) platforms. As a result, the final patch for the macOS and Linux versions of the game will be in March. This update will disable online functionality (such as in-game purchases) for players on macOS and Linux, but offline features including Local Matches, and splitscreen play will still be accessible.
If you purchased Rocket League for Mac or Linux on Steam, the game will still work with full functionality when installed and played on a computer running Windows 7 or newer.
So the Linux and macOS versions will still be there, but left old and online play will be disabled. Not good. Not good at all and as a huge Rocket League fan I'm not pleased—annoyed you might say.
This "new technologies" bit was interesting, perhaps they've decided to go DirectX 12 with an Unreal Engine upgrade? At this point we can only speculate with so little information. In the expanded support page, for Linux they mentioned playing Rocket League with Steam Play Proton is possible although they will not be supporting it.
When Psyonix became part of Epic Games back in May last year, many speculated that Rocket League would not only drop Linux support but also leave Steam. I didn't think either would happen but here we are, Psyonix has still never said they will continue to sell the game on Steam only that it would see "continued support". Originally, I thought meant it would go free to play, but with this move it seems a little more likely it will move over to the Epic Store which doesn't support Linux.
Update: Psyonix are now suggesting to request a refund from them on their support portal.
Update 2 - 24/01: Psyonix are now telling us "macOS and Linux players can reach out directly to Steam to request refunds and they will be honored. In these cases, Steam will make an exception to their 2 hours limit rule.". Their own support ticket team are now also saying to ask Steam for the refund, although Valve has denied my own refund twice.
In situations like this, Valve ideally need a better support system in place or at least an option of platform removal to get around the usual way. As we end up going in circles.
Update 3: After making their PR team aware what was going on with the refund situation, they've now released a statement on Reddit. Refunds will be accepted on Steam now, plus they gave the reason behind removing Linux and macOS support.
It's what I suspected as written above, they're upgrading to a higher version of Direct X which is a problem as the "macOS and Linux native clients depend on our DX9 implementation for their OpenGL renderer to function" and they're not willing to put resources into Vulkan/Metal for Linux/macOS when the combined player-base was apparently "0.3%" of the active total and when "viable workarounds exist" with Wine being mentioned.
They could have gone for Vulkan though to get Windows + Linux (and Stadia) and possibly even macOS with MoltenVK. It's a shame another company decided to stick with a proprietary API. That said, it may not have been possible if they're on quite an old version of Unreal Engine.
If you do get a refund for it, be sure you use that Steam Wallet funding for a developer that does support Linux. Make it count.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
On the brighter side, while crappy news like this stings, gaming on Linux has become easier and easier each year. I have been able to enjoy WAY more games on Linux than I was anticipating!
Quoting: WorMzyWas about to say the same. I wouldn’t personally vote for them in light of today’s news, but they did support Linux throughout 2019. And they care enough to give advance notice, at least.Quoting: Liam DaweQuoting: GoboI despise anyone who votes for Rocket League in the Linux Game of the Year Award, especially in the category "Favourite long-term supported game". Not only because of the ended support, but considering it took them years to release a Linux version. They kept teasing, promising and delaying for a long time.I've removed it, it's no longer eligible to be in our awards.
It's also nominated in "Best update received in 2019".
I don't care either way (I last played in 2017), but the awards are for 2019, when it did support Linux. Removing their eligibility for 2019 awards due to decision announced in 2020 seems wrong?
Quoting: WorMzyThe only two categories they were in were specifically targeting at supported games, they're removing said support. Absolutely no way they're staying in an award. It's not that difficult to understand.Quoting: Liam DaweQuoting: GoboI despise anyone who votes for Rocket League in the Linux Game of the Year Award, especially in the category "Favourite long-term supported game". Not only because of the ended support, but considering it took them years to release a Linux version. They kept teasing, promising and delaying for a long time.I've removed it, it's no longer eligible to be in our awards.
It's also nominated in "Best update received in 2019".
I don't care either way (I last played in 2017), but the awards are for 2019, when it did support Linux. Removing their eligibility for 2019 awards due to decision announced in 2020 seems wrong?
https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/consumers/shopping/guarantees-returns/index_en.htm#shortcut-1
But the question will be who is brave enough to at least contact people interested in makeing this happen.
"You always have the right to a minimum 2-year guarantee at no cost, regardless of whether you bought your goods online, in a shop or by mail order.
This 2-year guarantee is your minimum right, however national rules in your country may give you extra protection.
If goods you bought anywhere in the EU turn out to be faulty or do not look or work as advertised, the seller must repair or replace them free of charge or give you a price reduction or a full refund.
You can usually only ask for a partial or full refund when it is not possible to repair or replace the goods."
By this law basically games removing functionality (eg: online play) no matter how much you used this product should at least be refundable. I am really sad to say so but companies only understand money talking .... I wish it would be enough for them to stop such nonesense by the fact that they loose reputation on a customer level but it doesn't seems like ...
Quoting: Liam DaweQuoting: WorMzyThe only two categories they were in were specifically targeting at supported games, they're removing said support. Absolutely no way they're staying in an award. It's not that difficult to understand.Quoting: Liam DaweQuoting: GoboI despise anyone who votes for Rocket League in the Linux Game of the Year Award, especially in the category "Favourite long-term supported game". Not only because of the ended support, but considering it took them years to release a Linux version. They kept teasing, promising and delaying for a long time.I've removed it, it's no longer eligible to be in our awards.
It's also nominated in "Best update received in 2019".
I don't care either way (I last played in 2017), but the awards are for 2019, when it did support Linux. Removing their eligibility for 2019 awards due to decision announced in 2020 seems wrong?
Fair enough, at the end of the day it's your decision.
Due to the timing of this announcement I doubt they'd have gotten many votes anyway.
https://www.reddit.com/r/RocketLeague/comments/eswu1s/rocket_league_ending_support_for_mac_and_linux/ffd835b/
Personally, I'll be hanging on to my copy as long as it 'works'.
Last edited by bradgy on 23 January 2020 at 9:55 pm UTC
Hey Epic, I know I suck at being social, but do you really have to make it even harder for me? :(
All of the warnings about centralized servers , no LAN or private servers , etc.
Seems this can hit any game any time
And for the people mentioning Tencent , they are still spreading their web of "transactions" and "aquisitions"
I miss the old days.
Game was released (maybe had a patch later), focus was single player , you had LAN and could play with private servers.
Now games are online , focus is multiplayer and publishers decide how the game is played and it is on their whim what will happen next.
Maybe I'll end up just reading books as a hobby as I grow older /sarcasm
Quoting: tuubiRocket League is pretty much the only online multiplayer game I play with my friends, and (for that reason) my most played game on Steam.
Hey Epic, I know I suck at being social, but do you really have to make it even harder for me? :(
We'll find you something else buddy ;-)
Heck , I'd play FOSS games with you anytime.
It's sad, it could have been a great experience for many years to come, but they definitely dropped the ball, and went to just selling cosmetics for outrageous amount of money.
Patreon
PayPal
See more from me