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Overkill drops Linux support for PAYDAY 2

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PAYDAY 2 came to Linux officially back in 2016 but as of today they've removed support for it, so it will no longer see updates on the Native Linux version.

They're also bringing the game to the Epic Games Store, although not exclusive, as it will remain on Steam and PAYDAY 3 will also be on Steam. As for why they're removing official Linux support they said this:

Note that Linux users will not receive this update or any following updates coming to PC. In addition, Linux players will be unable to matchmake with other PC clients following this update.
We tried to find a solution, but ultimately found it unfeasible due to the Linux version being on an older version of the PAYDAY 2 engine.

It does, however, still work quite well with the Windows version via Steam Play Proton on desktop Linux and is Steam Deck Verified against the Windows version in Proton. So while it's a loss of support for their Native build, it's still fully playable on Linux.

We've seen this a few times over the years, due to a mixture of reasons but the ultimate reason is pretty much the same as always — Linux and Steam Deck together hold a less than 2% user share on Steam. For many developers, right now, it's not worth the extra overhead to continue Native support until there's more of a market.

Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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stormtux Jun 10, 2023
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Quoting: Eike[...]but Half-Life (Alyx) sure does.
Are you sure? On the Steam store I do not see the Linux icon or the minimum requirements for Linux .
https://store.steampowered.com/app/546560/HalfLife_Alyx/
Eike Jun 10, 2023
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Quoting: stormtux
Quoting: Eike[...]but Half-Life (Alyx) sure does.
Are you sure? On the Steam store I do not see the Linux icon or the minimum requirements for Linux .
https://store.steampowered.com/app/546560/HalfLife_Alyx/

Oops!
I'm quite sure people played through it natively, but I'm very surprised that it doesn't have the icon!
stormtux Jun 10, 2023
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Looking further, it looks like they added Linux support after release:
https://www.gamingonlinux.com/2020/05/half-life-alyx-now-available-on-linux-with-vulkan/
Maybe it is available but not officially supported? There is a Linux depot in steamdb:
https://steamdb.info/app/546560/depots/
CatKiller Jun 10, 2023
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Quoting: Eike
Quoting: stormtux
Quoting: Eike[...]but Half-Life (Alyx) sure does.
Are you sure? On the Steam store I do not see the Linux icon or the minimum requirements for Linux .
https://store.steampowered.com/app/546560/HalfLife_Alyx/

Oops!
I'm quite sure people played through it natively, but I'm very surprised that it doesn't have the icon!
It's weird. It has a native build (there's a depot), and it did have the Linux icon
QuoteChangelist #8453284
3 years ago · 15 May 2020 – 20:29:35 UTC

Added oslist – windows,linux
but I can't see where they've removed it, and it doesn't show in the store now. Interestingly, although "Steam Deck does not support VR games," they've picked the Windows build through Proton as the one that will be downloaded on the Deck (recommended_runtime: Proton-stable).

It also doesn't seem to be an automatic override from being "VR required;" the VR-only builds of Talos Principle and Serious Sam list Linux support on the store page.


Last edited by CatKiller on 10 June 2023 at 3:56 pm UTC
lejimster Jun 10, 2023
They could do a quick and easy "native" port with dxvk. But what's the point when steam does that with proton anyway. As long as they support proton and fix any issues with that, it makes more sense at this time. But I think if sufficient market share is gained for the Linux desktop you would hope more effort is done to focus on true native cross platform support.


Last edited by lejimster on 10 June 2023 at 4:08 pm UTC
slaapliedje Jun 10, 2023
Quoting: Eike
Quoting: stormtux
Quoting: Eike[...]but Half-Life (Alyx) sure does.
Are you sure? On the Steam store I do not see the Linux icon or the minimum requirements for Linux .
https://store.steampowered.com/app/546560/HalfLife_Alyx/

Oops!
I'm quite sure people played through it natively, but I'm very surprised that it doesn't have the icon!
I played through it natively.


Last edited by slaapliedje on 10 June 2023 at 4:12 pm UTC
Mountain Man Jun 10, 2023
Quoting: Guest
Quoting: Mountain ManSeems a lot of developers are counting on Proton to give them zero effort access to the Linux market. The good news is that Proton works extremely well. The bad news is... hmmm... Is there bad news? I'm not sure.
The bad news is that Proton will never run all games, because it's not Windows.
Invasive anti-cheat in games prevent them from running under Proton, and this will never change.

The problem is that without Proton, developers had two choices: 1) Support Linux natively; or 2) Don't support Linux at all. Before Proton, the overwhelming majority of developers chose door number 2. I suppose you could argue that they're still choosing door number 2, but fortunately, it doesn't matter, because we can still play their games.

Like it or not, Proton (or similar) is the future of Linux gaming, because I don't see Windows ever getting dislodged from its dominant position in the desktop operating system market.
Whitewolfe80 Jun 10, 2023
Quoting: Purple Library Guy
Quoting: Whitewolfe80Native triple a games are a thing of the past.
Were native triple A games ever really a thing of the present?
Touche
slaapliedje Jun 10, 2023
Quoting: Mountain Man
Quoting: Guest
Quoting: Mountain ManSeems a lot of developers are counting on Proton to give them zero effort access to the Linux market. The good news is that Proton works extremely well. The bad news is... hmmm... Is there bad news? I'm not sure.
The bad news is that Proton will never run all games, because it's not Windows.
Invasive anti-cheat in games prevent them from running under Proton, and this will never change.

The problem is that without Proton, developers had two choices: 1) Support Linux natively; or 2) Don't support Linux at all. Before Proton, the overwhelming majority of developers chose door number 2. I suppose you could argue that they're still choosing door number 2, but fortunately, it doesn't matter, because we can still play their games.

Like it or not, Proton (or similar) is the future of Linux gaming, because I don't see Windows ever getting dislodged from its dominant position in the desktop operating system market.
On the bright side, if you never buy a windows native game ever again, there are loads of games in backlogs that you can play via emulation. Lately I am on an Amiga kick. Also looking into why no one has made an open source engine for Linux for the SSI Gold Box games... apparently there is a Wi dows one called Dungeon Craft, but it is more of an engine for newer capabilities, rather than one for playing the original games.
14 Jun 11, 2023
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If I set aside native support ideology and the way things should be, and think in practical terms, what I can work with now, it makes sense to support the company that makes games work on Linux. And that is Valve (who then supports other involved groups). That also means not buying anything on the Epic or Windows stores and then making them work.

Will I buy Payday 3? Well, I bet I will. The developer won't know a difference if I hold out. You know that 30% cut Valve gets that everyone complains about? Well, then make a native Linux game and release it on itch.io. If you're not going to do that, then enjoy the 30% cut that I'm happy to go towards a company making gaming on PC pretty easy, Linux included. Remember LAN parties before Steam? I digress.
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