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Valve fixes up the new Riven from Cyan Worlds videos on Linux / Steam Deck

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Last updated: 8 Jul 2024 at 10:06 am UTC

Cyan Worlds Inc recently released the brand new Riven that's a re-imagined, and expanded version of the classic from 1997. It had a bit of trouble with videos on Linux / Steam Deck though.

Writing on X (Twitter), Valve developer Pierre-Loup Griffais posted:

A fix has just been deployed for the missing videos in Riven.

Griffais didn't go into detail on what was changed, and it seems it wasn't through a Proton update. Looking on SteamDB, they've tagged it as using H.264. So it's a back-end change Valve did on their servers, to ensure that the videos get sorted correctly for Linux players using Proton on Linux desktop and Steam Deck.

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Riven takes you on a journey through dense jungles, awe-inspiring caverns, and monolithic structures. Explore a world bent to the whims of a man who sees himself as a god and where every corner will immerse you in an otherworldly adventure.

Riven rewards careful observation. Challenge Riven’s cunning puzzles, deftly woven throughout its narrative. The environment of Riven will reveal the story of this world as you make meaning from seemingly disparate bits of information and learn everything you need to know about this world.

As a reminder, to get the re-encoded videos for games in Proton, you need to have the Shader Pre-Cache system turned on in Steam (Settings -> Downloads). Otherwise, for the games Valve has sorted the videos for, you'll end up seeing a test-screen instead of videos.

You can buy Riven from Steam and GOG.

Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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12 comments Subscribe

seanbutnotheard 8 Jul 2024
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Somewhere, I still have a physical copy of Riven from a friend who lent it to me probably 25 years ago. I didn't realize this remake was being made... Maybe it's finally time to remove it from my backlog.
ExpandingMan 8 Jul 2024
I played the entire game before the fix on proton experimental and did not notice any issues whatsoever.
grace_art 8 Jul 2024
Took ages to download the huge demo last week, only got a black screen, uninstalled.... well now I know. xD Glad to know what was wrong so I can try again.
Thank you for these updates GoL
Snowdrake 8 Jul 2024
I'm really puzzled about the state of video playout.
Why is it necessary to reencode video !?
scaine 8 Jul 2024
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I'm really puzzled about the state of video playout.
Why is it necessary to reencode video !?

Proprietary codec, I believe. So Valve would have to pay the license fee to play them "natively". So instead, they re-encode the movies and rewrite the "play video" calls in the game to use their re-encoded movie source.
I'm really puzzled about the state of video playout.
Why is it necessary to reencode video !?

Proprietary codec, I believe. So Valve would have to pay the license fee to play them "natively". So instead, they re-encode the movies and rewrite the "play video" calls in the game to use their re-encoded movie source.
Which is kind of one in the eye for stupid proprietary video codecs, so it's all good.
buckysrevenge 8 Jul 2024
Somewhere, I still have a physical copy of Riven from a friend who lent it to me probably 25 years ago. I didn't realize this remake was being made... Maybe it's finally time to remove it from my backlog.
the original is playable through ScummVM btw
Woodlandor 8 Jul 2024
Somewhere, I still have a physical copy of Riven from a friend who lent it to me probably 25 years ago. I didn't realize this remake was being made... Maybe it's finally time to remove it from my backlog.

Maybe it’s finally time to give your friend back their copy of Riven.
😂
slaapliedje 9 Jul 2024
I never got around to playing anything after Myst. But I did beat Myst on the Atari JagCD. I played it a bit on the Amiga as well.
Phlebiac 9 Jul 2024
I still haven't played any of the Myst games (despite having most of them by way of a Humble Bundle), but I did very much enjoy this Myst-like with native Linux support:
https://store.steampowered.com/app/512790/Quern__Undying_Thoughts/

And they are currently running a Kickstarter (which they successfully used for Quern) for a new game:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/zadbox/dimhaven-enigmas
ElectricPrism 9 Jul 2024
The new version has been done well and earned my dollar. I bought it.

I love to see old games given tender loving care and am happy to pay. What I'm not happy to do is buy these insults of a "Remastered" like Square Enix FF6 and Chrono Trigger -- those are both epic games and the cellphone look + smudge art really is a disservice and they should be ashamed to try to sell such half-assed games. Same goes for FF8 Remastered -- a total mockery of 8.

In total contrast to the new Myst and new Riven. I would easily pay for all of these games at full price if they followed in* Riven's footsteps.

I have heard first-hand stories relayed to me about the development behind myst and the blacked out windows and constant flow of coffee before they first came out. Absolute mad-lad developers, much respect.


Last edited by ElectricPrism on 9 Jul 2024 at 5:05 am UTC
Arehandoro 9 Jul 2024
Somewhere, I still have a physical copy of Riven from a friend who lent it to me probably 25 years ago. I didn't realize this remake was being made... Maybe it's finally time to remove it from my backlog.

Antonio! Finally found you! It's time to return my copy of Riven!

(Kidding :P)
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