Today, Valve replied to our message asking about the situation with Half-Life: Alyx and Linux support and we got our answer.
Originally, the official statement that was sent to us (at the bottom here) mentioned it was only being confirmed for Windows. As it came closer to release, we messaged Valve again to see if they could be any clearer and here's what they sent to us today:
The game will be playable on Proton with DX11 at launch. Post-launch, we'll be aiming to provide Vulkan and Linux support through subsequent updates.
This is excellent news of course, showing truly that Valve is committed to Linux gaming for their return to the Half-Life saga. Now you just need a Virtual Reality kit and a decently powered computer but at least you will have a bit of extra time to prepare for the Linux version.
"Playing as Alyx Vance, you are humanity’s only chance for survival. The Combine’s control of the planet since the Black Mesa incident has only strengthened as they corral the remaining population in cities. Among them are some of Earth’s greatest scientists: you and your father, Dr. Eli Vance."
You can wishlist/follow Half-Life: Alyx on Steam. The release for Windows will be on March 23, once a date is set for Linux and when we learn more we will let you know.
If you missed it, Valve put out some Half-Life: Alyx gameplay videos which we've included below:
Direct Link
Direct Link
Direct Link
Additionally, Gabe Newell and Robin Walker of Valve spoke to IGN in a new video that went up today.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
Still amazing news! <3
Woah! Is this the first Source 2 game with Vulkan?
DOTA?
This is great news, and makes me even happier that I nabbed an Index (which gets you a complimentary copy of HL:A) in the latest batch, knowing that I can play on launch day.
Woah! Is this the first Source 2 game with Vulkan?
That would be DOTA2 I believe.
Woah! Is this the first Source 2 game with Vulkan?
Dota 2, Artifact and parts of The Lab already ran on Source 2.
Woah! Is this the first Source 2 game with Vulkan?
No? Dota2 and Underlords
Comandante Ñoñardo Mar 18, 2020
appetrosyan Mar 18, 2020
Meanwhile, more than enough other stuff to play.
Marketing wise, is it wise to release a game you developed in house, for a hostile platform, and only then release it for "steam", OS? I mean I understand that they have no faith in other publishers. But WTF? Valve? It's your OS. If you want for it to make sense for people to install it, add some incentive!
Hostile platform? No faith in other publishers? What are you even talking about?
redneckdrow Mar 18, 2020
Well, wake me up if this ever runs without gadgets on a PC. If that ever happens.
Meanwhile, more than enough other stuff to play.
Agreed, from what I've tried, VR is still very much what it was in the 90's (i.e. two screens directly in front of your eyes). The major headsets are extremely expensive, and the cheaper alternatives are little more than gimmicks. Now, I might invest in a PSVR one day thanks to OpenHMD, but that would be a big hit in the pocketbook and not a worthwhile one.
They just don't believe themselves on linux gaming then, It would not be surprising if they delay more and more alyx linux release.
Last edited by sigz on 18 March 2020 at 7:51 pm UTC
I'm really disapointed.. Valve doesn't release its own game with vulkan and for steam OS at release ?? And they make it with dx11 after participating massively on vulkan for years ?? I don't get it..It's likely a case of when production started, Vulkan was still too new and rough or didn't have extensions needed to get the kind of performance they wanted. As we've seen with Artifact (RIP) and Dota Underlords, their newer stuff is usually Vulkan at release.
They just don't believe themselves on linux gaming then, It would not be surprising if they delay more and more alyx linux release.
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