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Dota 2 Reborn Launches Without Linux Support

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In a move that I find rather odd, Valve has launched their first Source 2 game without Linux support.

QuoteDota 2 is now powered by the Source 2 engine, Valve's latest game development platform. This means that ongoing development in the new engine will continue to improve Dota 2. Source 2 includes technology for rendering improvements, performance optimizations, higher fidelity content, and richer, more dynamic games.


Dota 2 Reborn changes almost everything, it really is a massive update to the game. It is one that has been needed for quite some time too, especially for Linux gamers.

Now, before everyone goes nuts, they are working on it, but no ETA other than "the coming weeks". We know how long Valve weeks can end up being, so I'm not being optimistic.

QuoteSource 2 includes native support for OpenGL without needing a wrapper, improving performance, memory usage and loading times on other platforms. We're still putting the finishing touches on the Mac and Linux clients and we hope to have them available in the coming weeks.


The improved performance I am sure will be very welcome, especially loading times and responsiveness.

Networking improvements is by far one of the most important though, as I've played too many games when myself or others have just lost connection to Dota 2's servers.

Even though Valve is pushing Linux with SteamOS, the game is in "beta" and so is SteamOS, so I can forgive Valve somewhat for not having Linux included right now. I will be mighty unimpressed if they repeatedly delay Linux support though.

Looks like Dota 2 Reborn is going to be fantastic. You can expect me to give it an actual write up when, you know, I can actually play it.

See their mini-site on the launch here. Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
Tags: MOBA, Steam
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I am the owner of GamingOnLinux. After discovering Linux back in the days of Mandrake in 2003, I constantly came back to check on the progress of Linux until Ubuntu appeared on the scene and it helped me to really love it. You can reach me easily by emailing GamingOnLinux directly. Find me on Mastodon.
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Qantourisc Jun 19, 2015
Quoting: stssThe question wasn't why they would make that decision, the question is why they would be in that situation in the first place if the engine was developed to be multiplatform from the start.
That's like asking why the other kid in the class finished first on a totally different homework assignment...
It might be called software engineering, but when it comes to engineering and predictability, it's more like software art.
D34VA_ Jun 19, 2015
Quoting: ArminSI downloaded Dota 2 + Addon (~14GB) on Steam on playonlinux and tried 4 different wine versions. Every time the same results: Dota 2 works perfectly, Dota 2 Reborn works great expect of the fact that the ingame screen is black. Even if they release the native port within the next 2 weeks, I hope I can find a workaround for this.

You need to run it with -gl flag, I think.
lucifertdark Jun 19, 2015
Linux users have to play the waiting game again, this is how it's always been, heck we've waited years/decades for game support as good as Valve is supplying, a few more days wait isn't going to kill anyone.
Creak Jun 19, 2015
Quoting: MaelraneIf I were in their position I'd just use OpenGL (and Vulkan) and spit on a DX-Renderer.
That is simply not possible since Source 2 also support Xbox, which is DX only.

Seeing the survey, MS is clearly where their clients are, so it is normal that they first deliver to them. It would have been great if they could have delivered for all platform at once, but they didn't. And since Dota 2 is the most played [[1]](https://steamdb.info/graph/) game, I assume it is a mere pragmatic choice.
Mountain Man Jun 19, 2015
Quoting: lucifertdarkLinux users have to play the waiting game again, this is how it's always been, heck we've waited years/decades for game support as good as Valve is supplying, a few more days wait isn't going to kill anyone.
That's not the problem. The problem is that even Valve is treating Linux users like second class citizens despite their efforts over the past few years to promote Linux as a viable gaming platform. If any developer were to have a day-one Linux release, you'd expect it to be Valve. A move like this sends mixed messages.
sarmad Jun 19, 2015
Quoting: Mountain Man
Quoting: lucifertdarkLinux users have to play the waiting game again, this is how it's always been, heck we've waited years/decades for game support as good as Valve is supplying, a few more days wait isn't going to kill anyone.
That's not the problem. The problem is that even Valve is treating Linux users like second class citizens despite their efforts over the past few years to promote Linux as a viable gaming platform. If any developer were to have a day-one Linux release, you'd expect it to be Valve. A move like this sends mixed messages.

Valve is not treating Linux as second class, it's in fact treating Linux as first class and Windows as second class. If you want to use the "Steam Machine" brand you have to use the Linux based SteamOS. If you want to include a Steam Controller with your box it has to run SteamOS, or at least that's what the Alienware guy implied in this video:
http://www.maximumpc.com/e3-probing-alienwares-steam-machine-and-steam-controller-video/
Zeitgeist Jun 19, 2015
Maybe Source2 will not support OpenGL at all. Could be Vulkan only :-D .
stss Jun 19, 2015
Quoting: ZeitgeistMaybe Source2 will not support OpenGL at all. Could be Vulkan only :-D .
Well they did actually say it was OpenGL they were working on. Plus we don't even have Vulkan drivers yet, aside from that intel one Valve made.
Mountain Man Jun 19, 2015
Quoting: sarmad
Quoting: Mountain Man
Quoting: lucifertdarkLinux users have to play the waiting game again, this is how it's always been, heck we've waited years/decades for game support as good as Valve is supplying, a few more days wait isn't going to kill anyone.
That's not the problem. The problem is that even Valve is treating Linux users like second class citizens despite their efforts over the past few years to promote Linux as a viable gaming platform. If any developer were to have a day-one Linux release, you'd expect it to be Valve. A move like this sends mixed messages.

Valve is not treating Linux as second class, it's in fact treating Linux as first class and Windows as second class. If you want to use the "Steam Machine" brand you have to use the Linux based SteamOS. If you want to include a Steam Controller with your box it has to run SteamOS, or at least that's what the Alienware guy implied in this video:
http://www.maximumpc.com/e3-probing-alienwares-steam-machine-and-steam-controller-video/
I'm not sure what that has to do with anything. I think you responded to the wrong article.
sarmad Jun 19, 2015
Quoting: Mountain Man
Quoting: sarmad
Quoting: Mountain Man
Quoting: lucifertdarkLinux users have to play the waiting game again, this is how it's always been, heck we've waited years/decades for game support as good as Valve is supplying, a few more days wait isn't going to kill anyone.
That's not the problem. The problem is that even Valve is treating Linux users like second class citizens despite their efforts over the past few years to promote Linux as a viable gaming platform. If any developer were to have a day-one Linux release, you'd expect it to be Valve. A move like this sends mixed messages.

Valve is not treating Linux as second class, it's in fact treating Linux as first class and Windows as second class. If you want to use the "Steam Machine" brand you have to use the Linux based SteamOS. If you want to include a Steam Controller with your box it has to run SteamOS, or at least that's what the Alienware guy implied in this video:
http://www.maximumpc.com/e3-probing-alienwares-steam-machine-and-steam-controller-video/
I'm not sure what that has to do with anything. I think you responded to the wrong article.

No, I didn't respond to the wrong article. You were saying Valve is treating Linux as second class so I mentioned some facts that indicate the opposite.
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