We do often include affiliate links to earn us some pennies. See more here.

While the Proton compatibility layer already has DXVK for translating DirectX 9/10/11 into Vulkan, VKD3D-Proton has become the official version for translating Direct3D 12 on top of Vulkan.

Are you confused what Proton is? See our dedicated Steam Play page for info.

VKD3D was originally a project created directly by the Wine team, the compatibility layer that Proton is built upon. However, the original founder passed away and it seems Valve-funded developers are taking the torch to push it much further. It's actually been a thing for a while but today they adjusted the name of their project as VKD3D-Proton, to give it some official status plus preventing any naming conflicts elsewhere and just be clear about their goals.

They're going for supporting the "full" Direct3D 12 API on top of Vulkan, with an aim of both performance and compatibility using modern Vulkan extensions and features, so this comes at the expense of compatibility with older drivers and GPUs. They're also not looking to keep backwards compatibility with the original vkd3d.

Recently, the project also merged in code to allow for a standalone D3D12 build. Like with DXVK, we might even see gamers on Windows using it in future. Yes, that's actually a thing and there's many more like it as it can boost performance on Windows too for older games.

See all the details on the updated VKD3D-Proton page on GitHub.

With the recent news that the massive Cyberpunk 2077 is going to be DirectX 12 only, perhaps VKD3D-Proton can get into a state before release where it might run it well on Linux, since CD Projekt aren't likely to bring it to Linux officially.

Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
40 Likes
About the author -
author picture
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.
See more from me
The comments on this article are closed.
48 comments
Page: «5/5
  Go to:

Arehandoro Jul 7, 2020
Thanks everyones for the explanations :)
Shmerl Jul 8, 2020
Quoting: WJMazepas]xCloud is in the same market of Stadia, but with a different aproach and they still didnt launch officially, its on beta, and they are still promoting

I wish them quick and bitter demise. We don't need more junk that requires developers to use DX. Unless of course they'll allow using Vulkan there too? But judging by their Xbox management, they won't.


Last edited by Shmerl on 8 July 2020 at 12:16 am UTC
RichardYao Jul 8, 2020
Quoting: TheRiddickHopefully RTX features can somehow be supported under DX12 also. That be nice.

It should be possible to implement DirectX Raytracing using a compute shader, although it would be slow. Finding someone to volunteer to implement it might be difficult too.
MayeulC Jul 8, 2020
Quoting: Nightwing
Quoting: YoRHa-2B
Quoting: aufkrawallCan anybody tell whether it will be possible to completely avoid any additional shader compile stutter vs. native D3D12?
Yes, if the game isn't completely broken. A Vulkan extension to allow that came out recently, we're still waiting for proper driver support though.

How about Ray Tracing and DLSS?

Well, maybe Contrast adaptative Sharpening is a better fit than DLSS?

DLSS requires spending a lot of GPU power to train a model that's dedicated for a specific title. I don't think this can be achieved, sorry :/


Last edited by MayeulC on 8 July 2020 at 1:28 pm UTC
WJMazepas Jul 8, 2020
Quoting: Shmerl
Quoting: WJMazepas]xCloud is in the same market of Stadia, but with a different aproach and they still didnt launch officially, its on beta, and they are still promoting

I wish them quick and bitter demise. We don't need more junk that requires developers to use DX. Unless of course they'll allow using Vulkan there too? But judging by their Xbox management, they won't.

No Vulkan support. But the way xCloud was created is to make Xbox One games run on the cloud. The developer dont have to port a new version but use the Xbox version to minimize costs. It wont force DX more than Xbox do
Shmerl Jul 9, 2020
Quoting: WJMazepasIt wont force DX more than Xbox do
Which means it will still force it. So another lock-in instrument they want to leverage.
micha Jul 9, 2020
Wondering how long it will take to at a stage in Steam shipped Proton to run `Death Stranding` (which requires DX12)?

(Wen't against all reasoning and pre-ordered it on Steam knowing that I may never by able to play it on PC. Or at least no anytime soon. Loved the PS4 version so much though that I'm fine seeing it as a donation to Kojima Productions worst case...)
SharkMachine Jul 9, 2020
Quoting: michaWondering how long it will take to at a stage in Steam shipped Proton to run `Death Stranding` (which requires DX12)?

(Wen't against all reasoning and pre-ordered it on Steam knowing that I may never by able to play it on PC. Or at least no anytime soon. Loved the PS4 version so much though that I'm fine seeing it as a donation to Kojima Productions worst case...)

Death Stranding will ship with Denuvo as well. It could take some time for it to be playable with Steam Play.
While you're here, please consider supporting GamingOnLinux on:

Reward Tiers: Patreon. Plain Donations: PayPal.

This ensures all of our main content remains totally free for everyone! Patreon supporters can also remove all adverts and sponsors! Supporting us helps bring good, fresh content. Without your continued support, we simply could not continue!

You can find even more ways to support us on this dedicated page any time. If you already are, thank you!
The comments on this article are closed.