Unified Linux Wine Game Launcher (UMU) from Thomas "GloriousEggroll" Crider version 1.1.1 is out now as the first official release to help improve Linux desktop and Steam Deck gaming.
A refresher on what it is: despite the name, it's not a launcher in the sense of it being an app like Steam, Heroic Games, Lutris, Bottles, Legendary and so on. Instead, it's a tool that various apps can use to run Windows games on Linux, acting as a copy of the Steam Runtime Tools and Steam Linux Runtime that Valve uses for Proton to allow Proton to properly run outside of Steam.
From the release notes:
First official release of UMU launcher!
- Should work inside both flatpak and snap
We do not have official builds for flatpak or snap yet, but instructions are provided on building and using for both:
https://github.com/Open-Wine-Components/umu-launcher/tree/main/packaging/flatpak
https://github.com/Open-Wine-Components/umu-launcher/tree/main/packaging/snap
So what does it actually mean? It means that any app can run games using Proton just like they would from inside Steam so you can get a good experience with Windows games on Linux / Steam Deck from Epic Games, GOG, Amazon and various other stores via apps like Heroic, Lutris and others (when they add in full support for UMU).
This is all part of Open Wine Components, and so all apps will end up using the same online database of game-specific fixes that some games need to run properly via protonfixes. In short: better compatibility overall for gaming — eventually.
More info on the GitHub.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
That's how I was able to get the battlenet launcher to work as well as the awful ea launcher I think. (battlenet instructions from this site!)
Also, lol at the name ... where exactly did the letters umu come from?!?!?!?
Last edited by Jarmer on 4 October 2024 at 3:48 pm UTC
Quoting: Jarmerso is this basically like going into steam and doing the "add non steam game" from the menu? But just in a different launcher?You can use it to run vanilla Proton (from Valve) outside of Steam or in any umu supported launcher. But
primarily it simplifies things for third party Proton builds like GE or others used by Lutris and Heroic.
If built against the Steam Runtime there would be no need for a separate projects like Wine-GE-custom, and same day support for Proton-GE and similar in Steam, Lutris and Heroic (when umu support is finalized).
At least as I understand it.
Quoting: whizseIf built against the Steam Runtime there would be no need for a separate projectsNo. The wine version used by Proton (official or GE) uses patches that make assumptions about a running Steam client.
Wine-GE builds have (or had since they are discontinued) have those patches reverted.
Caldathras about 2 hours ago
Quoting: jordicomaAlso, can it be used to run native games? On steam you can choose a linux runtime that will solve possible future compatibility problems (I think). Like for example, new versions of libraries no compatible with the game.To my knowledge, this project has nothing to do with native games. That being said, I could see how this could be incorporated into the project. The idea has very beneficial possibilities ...
Caldathras about 2 hours ago
Quoting: KlaasUnified Linux Wine Game Launcher?Certainly less of a mouthful than ULWGL.
Quoting: KlaasMaybe I'm not understanding your response correctly but, my understanding of the whole point of the project is to remove the need for Wine-GE completely by essentially enabling Proton to function without a running Steam client.Quoting: whizseIf built against the Steam Runtime there would be no need for a separate projectsNo. The wine version used by Proton (official or GE) uses patches that make assumptions about a running Steam client.
Wine-GE builds have (or had since they are discontinued) have those patches reverted.
Quoting: LiamIt means that any app can run games using Proton just like they would from inside Steam
Quoting: Liamacting as a copy of the Steam Runtime Tools and Steam Linux Runtime that Valve uses for Proton to allow Proton to properly run outside of Steam.
Quoting: CaldathrasMaybe I'm not understanding your response correctly but, my understanding of the whole point of the project is to remove the need for Wine-GE completely by essentially enabling Proton to function without a running Steam client.Yes and no. Yes, it is meant to replace Wine-GE completely. No, it does not use the wine builds that Proton uses.
Perhaps the confusion is that Proton is two different things: a python script and a bundle of things including wine with lots of patches (some of them adding a Steam dependency).
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