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Valve and their partners CodeWeavers have upgraded Proton Experimental, the special testing version of Proton where the latest special updates come in with some big stuff.

This is a totally separate version to the normal Proton releases, which you can select for specific games just like you would normally. Right click -> Properties -> Compatibility and select Proton Experimental from the drop-down box.

With the April 22 update to Proton Experimental, here's what's been added:

  • Updated VKD3D-Proton to version 2.3
  • Forza Horizon 4 is playable (requires AMD GPU with latest mesa-git drivers (known good mesa-git commit: `899dd8e60a5228c4506400d621ef6b5abfe5e32c`)).
  • Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord is playable.
  • The Origin Overlay is functional, which allows It Takes Two to be played with friends.
  • Better support Anno 1404 - History Edition.

Update: another small update was added to Proton Experimental hours after this article to include:

  • Fix Red Dead Redemption 2 "Not Purchased" error.
  • Fix Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition hang on startup.

See the full changelog for all the details.

Testing it out myself this morning with Titanfall 2, it definitely seems like the Origin Overlay does now work. Although it seems to dislike the MangoHud overlay and would not work if that was running with the game. There are a few quirks to it in my testing for example: for me opening the Friends List will minimize the game, then when you bring it back the Friends List is there - slightly odd but it works well enough to use.

Great progress as usual.

Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
Tags: Proton, Misc, Steam, Valve
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17 comments
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KillYourFM Apr 23, 2021
"Forza Horizon 4 is playable."
SOLD.
KuJo Apr 23, 2021
Quoting: The_Aquabatanyone on oibaf ppa? seems something is borked either on my system or the ppa.
Switched to kisak Mesa fresh a year ago:
https://launchpad.net/~kisak/+archive/ubuntu/kisak-mesa

With the latest Mesa PPA and Proton Experimental I am able to play Red Dead Redemption 2 - even the Multiplayer. Out of the box. Nö further tweaks needed.
fagnerln Apr 23, 2021
Quoting: The_Aquabat
Quoting: KuJo
Quoting: The_Aquabatanyone on oibaf ppa? seems something is borked either on my system or the ppa.
Switched to kisak Mesa fresh a year ago:
https://launchpad.net/~kisak/+archive/ubuntu/kisak-mesa

With the latest Mesa PPA and Proton Experimental I am able to play Red Dead Redemption 2 - even the Multiplayer. Out of the box. Nö further tweaks needed.
latest kisak point release is borked for me some issue with DCC, (delta color compression), I already reported it... I'm on kisak mesa old stable for now.
Mesa git or Mesa 21.1 rc is needed for Dirt 5, because it exposes a needed feature.

How good it runs Dirt 5? GRID become playable a few "experimental" versions ago, but the performance is really bad on my computer (ryzen 5 1600 + RX580 4GB)
Liam Dawe Apr 23, 2021
Update: another small update was added to Proton Experimental hours after this article to include:

Fix Red Dead Redemption 2 "Not Purchased" error.
Fix Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition hang on startup.
fagnerln Apr 23, 2021
Quoting: The_Aquabatdidn't pay attention to the frame rates but seems playable for me. Ryzen 2600+ 5600XT 6GB.

btw what Mesa version are u running with Dirt 5?

EDIT: Just checked and I get steady 60fps.

I don't have Dirt 5, I'm talking about GRID which I suppose that uses the same engine. When I tried the last time, I was using the latest Mesa 20. I'll try with Mesa 21 but I doubt that it can make that much difference.

The game starts using the maximum preset running below 20 fps, if I turn down to high it goes to 30-35. The game isn't heavy, I suppose that my GPU can handle it on high near to 60 fps
leillo1975 Apr 23, 2021
Quoting: fagnerlnHow good it runs Dirt 5? GRID become playable a few "experimental" versions ago, but the performance is really bad on my computer (ryzen 5 1600 + RX580 4GB)

It don't work for me (GRID.... it shows me a "send-bug" window when I try to play it..... This game worked on past. I think they should be a little more concerned about not messing up some games to make others work. I spent my money on that game and now I can't enjoy it.


Last edited by leillo1975 on 23 April 2021 at 3:49 pm UTC
Lofty Apr 23, 2021
just a nit pick here but:

Quote(requires AMD GPU with latest mesa-git drivers (known good mesa-git commit: `899dd8e60a5228c4506400d621ef6b5abfe5e32c`)).

It's probably based on a logical hash of some sort and not a random number. But is it expected for users to stare at such a long and exact number strings for mesa versions ? like could it not be simplified, or is this heresy to even suggest for mesa/AMD users. Isn't there already enough technical babble for new users on Linux using AMD with MESA,AMDGPU,PPA's.
But wait, you need this 'exacting' 41+ char number string and sometimes we will even add a 'dash' then a point and a few numbers on the end (oh and also need the right kernal btw.)

Asking as an nvidia user who simply looks at a version shrugs and goes yup that's driver 460.74 and gets on with their day.

Im going to get schooled shortly on posting this

edit: i did ^


Last edited by Lofty on 23 April 2021 at 5:33 pm UTC
MacGyver88 Apr 23, 2021
Death Stranding fps went from 50-60 to 80-90 fps with RX 6800. Very cool!
vipor29 Apr 23, 2021
hopefully they can get it to work on nvidia cards,it crashes mid game on my end.
Phlebiac Apr 23, 2021
Quoting: leillo1975This game worked on past. I think they should be a little more concerned about not messing up some games to make others work. I spent my money on that game and now I can't enjoy it.

That's why it's handy to be able to switch between multiple Proton versions. It would be handy if they had a "community recommended" Proton version, and allowed voting (sort of like the Steam Controller profiles).

Quoting: LoftyIt's probably based on a logical hash of some sort and not a random number. Im going to get schooled shortly on posting this

LOL! It's a git commit, which is a hash, yes. If you don't know what it is (and don't want to sort it out), then it's not for you, other than to know a stable release will have it eventually.
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