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Depending on your Linux distribution, you may need a small fix to get Valve's new game Deadlock to work properly. So here's what you need to know. Currently the game does not have a Native Linux version, so you need to run it with Proton and it runs pretty well. It's also invite-only, so find a friend somewhere to invite you.

If you find the game crashes when connecting to a server or otherwise, you likely need to raise your "vm.max_map_count". Yes, it strikes again. Many Windows games via Wine / Proton need a higher vm.max_map_count than some Linux distributions ship with out of the box.

You can find what yours currently is with this terminal command:

cat /proc/sys/vm/max_map_count

To set it temporarily higher you can do this in terminal:

sudo sysctl -w vm.max_map_count=1048576

That above is the newer default that Ubuntu, Fedora and Arch Linux were updated with. Previously many distributions had it quite low at 65530.

For a permanent change you can edit the "/etc/sysctl.conf" file or "/etc/sysctl.d" depending on your distribution, add "vm.max_map_count=1048576" to the bottom and then run:

sudo sysctl -p

Which should keep the change.

Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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10 comments

Bogomips Aug 27
Indeed, that was the case for Debian. (https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Gaming#Game_compatibility )


Last edited by Bogomips on 27 August 2024 at 12:21 pm UTC
GaultGame Aug 27
SteamDeck value is vm.max_map_count=2147483642
Since I found out it is the value I use in Linux Mint 22.
I need an invite.
Are there any potential complications/consequences for setting vm.max_map_count higher, or is this a set-it-and-forget-it sort of change?
Bogomips Aug 27
Are there any potential complications/consequences for setting vm.max_map_count higher, or is this a set-it-and-forget-it sort of change?

https://github.com/torvalds/linux/blob/v5.18/include/linux/mm.h#L178
Phlebiac Aug 28
Are there any potential complications/consequences for setting vm.max_map_count higher, or is this a set-it-and-forget-it sort of change?

https://github.com/torvalds/linux/blob/v5.18/include/linux/mm.h#L178

The way I read that is: unless you are trying to track down crashes in ancient Linux binaries, the old default is not relevant.
Bogomips Aug 28
Are there any potential complications/consequences for setting vm.max_map_count higher, or is this a set-it-and-forget-it sort of change?

https://github.com/torvalds/linux/blob/v5.18/include/linux/mm.h#L178

The way I read that is: unless you are trying to track down crashes in ancient Linux binaries, the old default is not relevant.

I also understand it that way, but being on Debian stable, everything is old :P so I try to not go overboard and keep it at the new normal level (i.e. 1048576).
Eibriel Aug 28
Thanks! It worked
Saladin Oct 14
I need an invite.

If you havent got it yet I have sent you a friend request by the Steam Name "Saladin"
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