Just recently the Native Linux port of BioShock Infinite was updated to fix it failing to launch after an update.
As a quick reminder — back in September last year 2K updated various BioShock games to have their own launcher, because we all know gamers love extra launchers don't they? The previous article lists workarounds for them on Linux but as a side-effect they also broke the old Native Linux version.
It's taken over five months to sort it but they finally released an update and said:
Our last patch to BioShock Infinite on Steam was intended only for Windows but unexpectedly affected shared dependencies with the Linux version that made the game unplayable on some versions of Linux. We’ve since identified and fixed those conflicts and have verified those solutions addressed the issue in Linux (Ubuntu 22.10). We apologize for the inconvenience to our fans on Linux and appreciate their patience as we worked on a fix.
I checked on it and the Native Linux port launches fine now on Fedora.
Nice to see they finally did something, even though you could workaround it with Proton. For some it seems the Native Linux version actually works better though. I'm just surprised they actually fixed it, I was half expecting them to just leave it and tell people to use Proton at this point.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
So there still hope for native Linux gaming?
What a wonderful news!
StalePopcorn Feb 12, 2023
We apologize for the inconvenience to our fans on Linux and appreciate their patience as we worked on a fix.And that is a surprise as well. Usually it's something like we are sorry that a minority of you didn't like what we did.
ElectricPrism Feb 12, 2023
1 Remastered was stupid good, but there was some splicer bug a few hours in that blocked progression they needed to fix before the launcher debacle. I hope they do fix it someday.
Props to the devs behind System Shock 2 and OG System Shock.
Does the Linux version have the crap 2K launcher and pause trying to login to 2K servers before getting to the main screen like the Winduhz version?
Yes, but for those wondering, it pauses de main menu for a couple seconds then lets you play the game without doing the 2k account. And yes, you still have Steam Cloud saves.
hardpenguin Feb 13, 2023
I guess I'll give the Steam native version a try again then. It'll give me an excuse to enable mesa_glthread for something (I find that detrimental to most opengl games, only a few benefit, so I have it disabled globally, toggled off at build time, and only use it per-instance)
I'm quite glad to hear that got some needed love.
Unfortunately, the Windows version I have in GoG works considerably better. The Linux "port" is that eON wrapped shit, which is less than ideal. Running it through OUR DXVK -> Vulkan is much better translation.
It is also a better experience in general, as it does not have that annoying, delaying "Connecting to 2K account" and that stupid "not linked... press [J]" 2K icon in my menus. That can take several seconds and what would happen if it stalled?
It is also a better experience in that configuration isn't buried in "~/.local/share/irrationalgames/bioshockinfinite/GameDocuments/My Games/BioShock Infinite/XGame/Config" with the game saves buried in "steam/userdata/yoursteamidnumber/8870/remote/SaveData. The addition of the 2K launcher changed that.
In the GoG version it's just appdata/local for the config and Documents/My Games for the saves, in the wine prefix like normal.
So thanks (but no thanks) for all the fish.
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