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.
Update 3:
I received the refund through Steam ticketing system, not the usual "request a refund" way.
Update 2:
Apparently the instructions to use the automated system are there just to make it look easier. Ignore the dotted list, go straight to:
If this process does not work for you, please contact Valve via their ticket system, select Rocket League, then “I have a question about this purchase,” and they will manually start the refund process from there.Unless you are under the 2 weeks + 2 hours rule.
Update:
Refunds will be accepted on Steam nowHere's Steam's response to the refund request I did following the instructions on Psyonix post:
We have reviewed your refund request.
We will not be granting a refund at this time. The date of the purchase exceeds 2 weeks (our refund policy maximum).
Last edited by dejaime on 28 January 2020 at 6:44 pm UTC
Mountain Man Jan 23, 2020
How do I refund it?Unless you have under 2 hours and under 2 weeks, you don't get to.
Last edited by Liam Dawe on 23 January 2020 at 6:52 pm UTC
Edit: Glad GoL awards voting hasn’t begun yet, this would have been my choice for continued Linux support. Ha!
Last edited by Salvatos on 23 January 2020 at 6:55 pm UTC
But seriously, as a daily player I am crying internally.
Comandante Ñoñardo Jan 23, 2020
We're still niche, and that's a problem. Developing for Linux is more attractive than ever before, but we're still a tiny percentage which makes long-term support a problem for many studios.
VR is much more niche than Linux and there are several VR technologies, but that doesn't stop publishers...
This is not about the logic of market share; is about the emotions and personal point of views of each CEO.
Mohandevir Jan 23, 2020
Edit: Is it using EAC? If not, it's probably going to...
Last edited by Mohandevir on 23 January 2020 at 7:14 pm UTC
I bought all the DLCs to support them but will no longer do so.
Last edited by gojul on 23 January 2020 at 7:22 pm UTC
appetrosyan Jan 23, 2020
Speaking of which: I propose the following nomenclature, for anyone who (like me) feels like a 12 year old.
Linux - GNU + Linux
Epic Games - epicFail games (formerly known as epicMegaFail Games).
Unreal Engine - Unethical engine.
epic store - the other platform
epic megagrant - Cheap publicity stunt
was acquired by epic - will get axed sooner rather than later
will run through proton, but will not be supported - Will be actively made incompatible with Steam play.
new technologies - Nvidia Gimmicks forced down their throat
Nvidia - Ngreedy'a
DirectX 12 Engine Upgrade - Direct X Downgrade, forced in typical Microsoft fashion.
Maybe we can do a last big GOL tournament just before the update?
VR is much more niche than Linux and there are several VR technologies, but that doesn't stop publishers...
You know, I've been thinking about this recently. Just as Linux was gaining popularity we have this new tech becoming just as popular that really could define the next 10 years of gaming, and currently it doesn't really play nice with Linux in general (Index being the exception I guess). I really hope compatibility improves in the short term so that Linux doesn't get left behind on it.
It works better until it doesn't.Let’s see how it goes with Proton
Apparently it works better
Last edited by Solitary on 23 January 2020 at 7:19 pm UTC
Well, if they are switching things up internally there might be new incompatibilities there too.Let’s see how it goes with Proton
Apparently it works better
Speaking of which: I propose the following nomenclature, for anyone who (like me) feels like a 12 year old.I always find that such name-calling reflects much more poorly on the person using it than their opponent. Being opposed to something doesn’t mean you can’t be civilized towards it.
It works better until it doesn't.Let’s see how it goes with Proton
Apparently it works better
Quite a lot of Epic exclusive games work through Lutris.
There is nothing to suggest they will prevent Rocket League from continuing to work via proton
Nothing to suggest it will. They've already disavowed supporting it. To continue thinking "this is fine" is incredibly naive. I mean, maybe this lets passionate players continue playing a bit longer, but it's not like they can buy any digital content anymore, knowing it can be taken away without recourse.
VR is much more niche than Linux and there are several VR technologies, but that doesn't stop publishers...
This is not about the logic of market share; is about the emotions and personal point of views of each CEO.
Of course it is a market share logic, VR is hundreds of time much hyped than linux with heavy future perspective.
Tomorrow you say "I make my game with VR support", you get tons of interest from investor, try the same with "I make my game with linux support", nobody ever gives a s...t of that.
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