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.
That is the main game I play with family and friends by quite a bit. Between being quick to get into a party, the fast-paced action, the frequent breaks, controller support for quick hand-offs...makes it perfect for playing with a volatile group. It's such a unique game too...
Between the over 700 hours of gameplay over the past 4 years I've had with that game...grinding to achieve diamond in certain ranked games...and the money I've spent on copies and DLC for friends and family who have transitioned to Linux...
As others have stated, Proton works wonderfully. However, I'd be much less opposed to this if they had vowed support for Proton. As it is, it could stop working at any time.
I'm not sure what I'm going to do. "Just find another game" isn't easy, especially when you've invested so much into one already.
Last edited by lectrode on 23 January 2020 at 11:42 pm UTC
Quoting: razing32I know man, I know. Thanks. The problem is, I really am not that social. Online games stress me out, even with friends. Rocket league is/was somehow different. I could just relax and do a few quick rounds. 550+ hours worth of quick rounds so far.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.
But I guess I should look for something else.
QuoteThis "new technologies" bit was interesting, perhaps they've decided to go DirectX 12 with an Unreal Engine upgrade?
They wouldn't make directX12 mandatory, so that can't make an argument.
QuoteUpdate: Psyonix are now suggesting to request a refund from them on their support portal.
Well that's bullshit cause their refund page states :
QuoteIf you'd like a refund for a Steam purchase, upon contacting them their own refunding criteria will apply. It is possible to qualify for one. This may trigger an automatic purchasing ban on our system. You can dispute the purchasing ban, we'll simply need you to submit a ticket with the explanation of the refund request. We'll take it from there!
https://support.rocketleague.com/hc/en-us/articles/360015502374-Refunds
So no refund possible after 2 weeks or 2hrs of playtime.
Last edited by minidou on 23 January 2020 at 10:33 pm UTC
Quoting: tuubiQuoting: razing32I know man, I know. Thanks. The problem is, I really am not that social. Online games stress me out, even with friends. Rocket league is/was somehow different. I could just relax and do a few quick rounds. 550+ hours worth of quick rounds so far.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.
But I guess I should look for something else.
Old School Runescape ?
The Runelite client works out of the box.
And socializing is the only thing you do on that.
It sure as hell is not the grinding.
Though it does have charm and the quests are actually interesting (thoguh you have to grind up some skills to do them)
I guess I'm still leaning toward the refund.
Last edited by 14 on 23 January 2020 at 10:33 pm UTC
ElectricPrism Jan 23, 2020
If you haven't given Rocket League a review on Steam yet, now is the best time to give a bad review for it.
Quoting: GuestIt's Epic Games, not Tencent, Tencent have 40% of Epic Games.
Your fooling yourself if you don't understand how big of a string they can pull. All of this BS with epic games started after the tencent money started flowing in.
Quoting: GuestAre you calling Riot Games, Supercell, Ubisoft and Activision 'Tencent' everytime too?Yes. Tencent owns Riot Games, and owns like 85% of Supercell, and is the second largest stakeholder of Ubisoft. You don't find it interesting watching the sheer number of companies tencent are reaching their hands into? Their influence cannot be overlooked.
Last edited by edenist on 23 January 2020 at 11:19 pm UTC
Patreon
PayPal
See more from me