s&box is the upcoming game from Facepunch Studios that acts as a sequel to Garry's Mod although it won't actually be Garry's Mod 2. Recently Facepunch were asked about Linux support since it uses Valve's Source 2 game engine.
Speaking on the GitHub request, as expected the idea was shot down by Garry Newman directly who said:
No plans to support Linux natively. While the deck is good to support - I've tested it and it works great. Could it run better if it was native and using vulkan? Probably. But it would also run better if you format it and install Windows on it too.
Any support for Linux outside of it running on the deck is incidental, it isn't supported officially.
So it's going to entirely rely on Steam Play Proton for the Steam Deck (like most other major games will) and it won't be supported in any way on Linux outside of being used on the Steam Deck.
It's not exactly a shock to know, considering Garry's previous comments about supporting Linux directly, along with the removal of the native version of Rust (which should work in Proton in future). The question though: is it a problem that they won't support it outside the Steam Deck? No. Well, not unless Valve support Proton differently than they do right now it shouldn't actually be a problem. Proton should work the same on the Steam Deck as it does for normal Linux distributions right now.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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inb4 pitchforks
4 Likes, Who?
Installing Windows on it will hardly make it better. With a bit of luck, AMD and Valve will have the drivers for Windows 11 ready by December. But I wouldn't expect a leap in performance from this alternative. W11 doesn't even officially support devices with screens smaller than 9 inches. To make a long story short: The Steam Deck supports Windows so that Valve can tick the "It's a PC" checkbox.
If Microsoft allowed Windows to replace the Xbox's system software, it almost certainly wouldn't give the games a performance boost on the Xbox either.
Last edited by 1xok on 13 August 2021 at 1:49 pm UTC
If Microsoft allowed Windows to replace the Xbox's system software, it almost certainly wouldn't give the games a performance boost on the Xbox either.
Last edited by 1xok on 13 August 2021 at 1:49 pm UTC
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"Just Use Proton"++
AFAICA, this translates into "Give us your money while we do nothing to support Linux". Sounds like a plan to me.
AFAICA, this translates into "Give us your money while we do nothing to support Linux". Sounds like a plan to me.
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I see that Gary is still his usual lovely self. I look forward to the day where the opinion of some developer who has a chip on his shoulder regarding Linux is no longer news worthy.
22 Likes, Who?
I see that Gary is still his usual lovely self. I look forward to the day where the opinion of some developer who has a chip on his shoulder regarding Linux is no longer news worthy.
While I think his on his right to shit Linux if he wants, I agree his Windows only game shouldn't have a spotlight in this page.
Like the God of War series, I'm glad this isn't a game I would want to play so I'm happy this lack of support wont affect me :)
3 Likes, Who?
Typical deflectionary response from someone who probably has a lot of creative talent but is either too intellectually lazy or unksilled technically to think outside of his comfort zone.
There are an untold number of game devs that never consider or mention Linux at all. Garry isn't one of those: he specifically lashes out about it.
My strong suspicion is that he did actually try Linux at some point, but then went all Windows Power User and messed it all up. Since it couldn't have possibly been his mistake (because he knows that he does computers good), it must be Linux that's to blame. It's a fairly standard pattern.
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Why are you guys angry at this developer? "No support at all" is the Proton way!
It's not anger, it's merely observational. But i appreciate the satire of your comment and i kind of agree. we can't just rely on proton for Linux gaming.
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Yeah, typical Garry Newman as always. He has been spreading anti-Linux hate for years...
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Let's be sure our comment section doesn't turn into Reddit though please, like Garry clearly noticed. It's fine to air disappointment and concerns, but let's be clear that any personal attacks and name calling just aren't welcome here. I haven't had to delete any yet, but there's simply no need for name calling - don't make me edit posts please.
Last edited by Liam Dawe on 13 August 2021 at 3:02 pm UTC
Last edited by Liam Dawe on 13 August 2021 at 3:02 pm UTC
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Let's be sure our comment section doesn't turn into Reddit though
We can also change the subject entirely and turn into Phoronix
5 Likes, Who?
Commercial engines support, SDL2, FNA, Vulkan, WINE/Proton, DXVK/DXVK native... Many options to offer some sort of Linux support on your game and yet some developers don't want to even hear about this. 
No point trying to persuade them. If the Steam Deck is a massive success the numbers will eventually speak for themselves. Only then some developers might start considering Linux compatibility at day zero and adjusting their tools accordingly.
This is why Valve went with the compatibility layer strategy and I'm convinced it is the only way to reach a critical mass. Success is not guaranteed of course, so we're better enjoy the ride and not care so much about a developer saying nasty things like telling someone to install Windows.
No point trying to persuade them. If the Steam Deck is a massive success the numbers will eventually speak for themselves. Only then some developers might start considering Linux compatibility at day zero and adjusting their tools accordingly.
This is why Valve went with the compatibility layer strategy and I'm convinced it is the only way to reach a critical mass. Success is not guaranteed of course, so we're better enjoy the ride and not care so much about a developer saying nasty things like telling someone to install Windows.
2 Likes, Who?
I wouldn't buy any Facepunch game. No reason to support a studio that is openly hostile to non-proprietary operating systems.
13 Likes, Who?
If you think about it... Proton games should cost less because you don't get support, so why pay for that?This doesn't make sense, there is no such a thing as "Proton games". What we have is Windows only games, advertised by the developers as such, that may or may not work on Linux using proton. Making then "cost less" because of Proton would mean developers also profiting less, which would be a very good reason for them to not support at all.
What Valve could do is charging less than 30% for native Linux games, which also wouldn't make sense because they profit from Windows games too, which btw is 99% of where their profit comes from.
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If you think about it... Proton games should cost less because you don't get support, so why pay for that?I mean... I don't. I'm pretty sure everyone's tired of me saying so. It would be good for someone from the mainstream gaming press to strongly suggest specifically waiting for a deep sale before buying a game for the Deck from a developer that won't support it. "We didn't bother to test, and we won't fix any problems you have. Money up front." is terrible customer service by any measure.
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Kimyrielle Aug 13, 2021
The great thing about Proton is -exactly- that we no longer have to care about what people like him are thinking about Linux.
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"But it would also run better if you format it and install Windows on it too."
What an idiotic comment!
What an idiotic comment!
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Back in the day, I used to play lots of RUST when it had a native Linux version. Then the Linux version got cancelled, and I continued playing for a couple of months, using Proton. Almost immediately the Rust servers (which coincidentally run on Linux and Windows) stopped allowing Proton players to access servers (even private servers) because of Easy Anti-Cheat.
The default server settings (for private servers) could have been set to default to EAC off (and if the admin wanted to turn it on, then they could). But no, Facepunch made EAC default to being on, and admins would have to actively turn it off in order to let Linux (Proton) people play. As such there was nowhere for Linux players to go. Might I add - Linux players who had PAID for the game when it supported Linux.
I have two thoughts about the EAC "on" decision:
- Maybe some hostility to Linux players contributed to the decision.
- The laughable belief (by management at FP) that 1% of the gaming population (Linux players) were the game-hacking cheaters spoiling the game for others. Well, I can see from various recent Youtube videos that despite kicking Linux players off the game, there are still plenty of cheaters around (using Aimbot, Flyhack, Speed Hack, Super Jump Hack, etc).
Finishing off with this - As well as cancelling PAYING players by getting rid of native Linux version, and preventing Proton from working - FP has been "taking" from Linux all this time. Most of the servers running RUST are Linux servers, and the reason they are Linux servers - Because they cost less to run in the cloud without Microsoft Windows licences.
Yeah, definitely a company to be avoided, methinks.
The default server settings (for private servers) could have been set to default to EAC off (and if the admin wanted to turn it on, then they could). But no, Facepunch made EAC default to being on, and admins would have to actively turn it off in order to let Linux (Proton) people play. As such there was nowhere for Linux players to go. Might I add - Linux players who had PAID for the game when it supported Linux.
I have two thoughts about the EAC "on" decision:
- Maybe some hostility to Linux players contributed to the decision.
- The laughable belief (by management at FP) that 1% of the gaming population (Linux players) were the game-hacking cheaters spoiling the game for others. Well, I can see from various recent Youtube videos that despite kicking Linux players off the game, there are still plenty of cheaters around (using Aimbot, Flyhack, Speed Hack, Super Jump Hack, etc).
Finishing off with this - As well as cancelling PAYING players by getting rid of native Linux version, and preventing Proton from working - FP has been "taking" from Linux all this time. Most of the servers running RUST are Linux servers, and the reason they are Linux servers - Because they cost less to run in the cloud without Microsoft Windows licences.
Yeah, definitely a company to be avoided, methinks.
6 Likes, Who?
DarkVantage Aug 13, 2021
If I spoke publicly with as much contempt for a potential customer segment as Garry did, I'd be rightly fired from my job. It's one thing to say, "We don't plan native support for Linux." It's another to thumb your nose at people who might otherwise be fans of your work for no reason whatsoever.
I bought Garry's Mod. I won't buy this even if it does work on Proton.
Last edited by DarkVantage on 13 August 2021 at 9:39 pm UTC
I bought Garry's Mod. I won't buy this even if it does work on Proton.
Last edited by DarkVantage on 13 August 2021 at 9:39 pm UTC
9 Likes, Who?
I wouldn't buy any Facepunch game. No reason to support a studio that is openly hostile to non-proprietary operating systems.
Fun fact: As Gary feels pointless to give us proper support he definitely doesn't want our money. So if you ever want to test this game, just grab and play the "demo", he won't mind at all.
Still, I suggest to stay away of whatever Facepunch produces. There are way better game devs out there that, even when not supporting Linux, don't throw shit to our community at least.
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I just spotted this "Aimbot" video *just released* online - Quite amused by it's recent appearance and how it fits in with my latest comments on this article - Think you might enjoy: AIMBOT video
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