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.
Quoting: ShmerlDo you mean Ruiner developers skipped updates for Linux just on GOG (but did on Steam) or they simply skipped them all? That's a nasty behavior either way.
The later:
https://www.gog.com/forum/ruiner/the_game_will_not_have_16c_version_for_linux_according_to_the_dev
Last edited by Alm888 on 24 January 2020 at 9:11 am UTC
Quoting: Liam DaweAdded a link for people wanting a refund.Their PR team is now telling me this:
QuotemacOS 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.My request was denied last night, I've put a new one in now, let's see.
Maybe you can try a new interview with Timothee Besset? What is his opinion about the decision of Psyonix. And what is his view today on the statements he made in the interview in 2016:
-> https://www.gamingonlinux.com/articles/interview-with-timothee-besset-formerly-of-id-software-who-helped-port-rocket-league-to-linux.8097
Would certainly be interesting.
BTW - refund requested, too.
Last edited by KuJo on 24 January 2020 at 9:35 am UTC
Quoting: Blue22Man, somebody should create an Open Source clone, development could be financed by donations and esport events.
I always wanted to learn Godot, maybe I'll five it a shot when version 4 is out
There is a football arena mode in SuperTuxKart already. It's working fine, but doesn't have the same feeling, yet.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqwfBIlQxXo
Last edited by const on 24 January 2020 at 9:37 am UTC
Quoting: Comandante ÑoñardoI remind you that STADIA IS LINUX and big publishers are supporting it..
As I said, this is not about market share; is about personal beliefs of the big companies CEOs...
Again you're wrong, like for VR analysis, you don't understand economics. Beliefs have nothing to do here... Stadia is linux but google can guarantee revenues to publishers, it is a safe investment, this is that simple. Linux doesn't guarantee anything to anybody, there is no beliefs there.
Last edited by sigz on 24 January 2020 at 10:29 am UTC
Quoting: PikoloQuoting: razing32This feels like a canary in the coal mine in some way.
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.
I think the last patch added Steam Remote Play together support, so you will still be able to play with friends against bots. Not as fun as online multiplayer, but something. In March RL on Linux will end up in the same situation as on PS4 - you only have local single and multiplayer. On PS4 you'd have to pay for a PS subscription to play multiplayer, but I don't see people doing that.
Did not know about the PS4
Someone really wants to milk some cash and cut some costs.
Can't say I haven't seen bigger publishers/franchises fall.
Quoting: Liam DaweMy request was denied last night, I've put a new one in now, let's see.
BTW Psyonix_Devin said yesterday on reddit
QuoteHi everyone, if you are playing RL on macOS or Linux and are interested in a refund, please contact our Customer Care team here: https://support.rocketleague.com/
https://www.reddit.com/r/RocketLeague/comments/eswu1s/rocket_league_ending_support_for_mac_and_linux/ffd835b/?context=1000
Quoting: lodI am aware, their support is rubbish as is their PR teams. They're sending us in circles. Their support ticket crew just told me a few minutes ago to go to Steam, Valve deny it based on time. This is a terrible customer support experience.Quoting: Liam DaweMy request was denied last night, I've put a new one in now, let's see.
BTW Psyonix_Devin said yesterday on reddit
QuoteHi everyone, if you are playing RL on macOS or Linux and are interested in a refund, please contact our Customer Care team here: https://support.rocketleague.com/
https://www.reddit.com/r/RocketLeague/comments/eswu1s/rocket_league_ending_support_for_mac_and_linux/ffd835b/?context=1000
Quoting: Glog78In my humble oppinion game companies should be able to get sued in europe since their idea of giving you only a revocable licence doesn't hold up. And if this one doesn't hold up the 24 month waranty rule should apply. Btw. in my oppinion this should hold up for any game which did sell a fully functional linux port and removed their support without removing sales 24 month before they end support.
No you don't want that. Really. That would just lead to even less Linux ports. Particularly indie companies would avoid our platform.
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