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Overkill drops Linux support for PAYDAY 2

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PAYDAY 2 came to Linux officially back in 2016 but as of today they've removed support for it, so it will no longer see updates on the Native Linux version.

They're also bringing the game to the Epic Games Store, although not exclusive, as it will remain on Steam and PAYDAY 3 will also be on Steam. As for why they're removing official Linux support they said this:

Note that Linux users will not receive this update or any following updates coming to PC. In addition, Linux players will be unable to matchmake with other PC clients following this update.
We tried to find a solution, but ultimately found it unfeasible due to the Linux version being on an older version of the PAYDAY 2 engine.

It does, however, still work quite well with the Windows version via Steam Play Proton on desktop Linux and is Steam Deck Verified against the Windows version in Proton. So while it's a loss of support for their Native build, it's still fully playable on Linux.

We've seen this a few times over the years, due to a mixture of reasons but the ultimate reason is pretty much the same as always — Linux and Steam Deck together hold a less than 2% user share on Steam. For many developers, right now, it's not worth the extra overhead to continue Native support until there's more of a market.

Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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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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77 comments
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elmapul Jun 8, 2023
QuoteWe've seen this a few times over the years, due to a mixture of reasons but the ultimate reason is pretty much the same as always — Linux and Steam Deck together hold a less than 2% user share on Steam. For many developers, right now, it's not worth the extra overhead to continue Native support until there's more of a market.

even worse, linux marketshare is 1~2%... on the desktop!
50% of the market for this game is on consoles, the other 50% is on pcs.
and if this was an game that "works on mobile", this share would shink even more, that is, if mobile attracted the same type of gamer.
Purple Library Guy Jun 8, 2023
Quoting: slaapliedjeYou know what would be hilarious? If WSL2
I can't take that acronym seriously. I always imagine it being involved in a Winnie the Pooh story, like "Where the WSL2 Wasn't".


Last edited by Purple Library Guy on 8 June 2023 at 10:30 pm UTC
elmapul Jun 8, 2023
Quoting: Guest
Quoting: DrMcCoyInstead, you need to make portability a feature of your code outright, you need to make the same single codebase run on all the individual platforms. No forks, just one portable repository that can run everywhere. That's not new knowledge either, we've known that for decades!

Proton totally nuked this concept.
There is only one platform for personal computer gaming and it's DirectX.
Even Apple gave up dedicated ports, they went fully Wine.

yeah they use one code base for all platforms...
directX on windows.
directX on top of wine on linux.

we can complain but facts are facts, linux is not sustainable for an game like this.
those companies dont spend 1 dollar and earn 100, linux have 1~2% marketshare on the desktop and even less if we count consoles, porting is not as expensive as making an entire game from scratch but there is no sense in spending as much money on linux as the other versions (playstation, xbox, pc), building something to be multiplatform from day 1 just mean you probably will have an horrible performance on all platforms and may break the budget before you make any cent.

if you dont believe go open your own company and prove how everyone else is wrong.

i hate to be the guy deffending big corportations here, but come on, there is an limit on how much we can lie to ourselves.
and no, indies being able to do that dont prove anything.


Last edited by elmapul on 8 June 2023 at 10:43 pm UTC
Grogan Jun 8, 2023
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I don't sympathize at all, moreover, these "corporations" are adversaries to me. They hate their customers and don't deserve to have any.

You put something out, that people bought in good faith and are still using, you bloody well fix it. You don't just say "too bad, we're adding new shitware to our game and have decided to exclude you"
slaapliedje Jun 9, 2023
Quoting: GroganI don't sympathize at all, moreover, these "corporations" are adversaries to me. They hate their customers and don't deserve to have any.

You put something out, that people bought in good faith and are still using, you bloody well fix it. You don't just say "too bad, we're adding new shitware to our game and have decided to exclude you"
Pretty much. It is far worse in my mind to say you are going to support a port, and then drop support while still updating the other platforms, than it is to never support Linux in the first place.

I'll just make sure to not buy anything from them later. Granted I never got around to playing Payback 2...
This is sad. I wonder if the next step is to implement anticheat which doesn't work on Linux. That was the next step after Rocket League dropped official support for Linux.
ElectricPrism Jun 9, 2023
Imagine selling a game and then DROPPING support for WINDOWS, and telling customers that the Linux version still works over Cygwin and VirtualBox.

Anyways -- this is more a problem with SaaS (Software as a Service) -- because it's not really clear what I'm buying when I spend money-- A Physical Copy -- Is a Physical Copy -- -- Is a Physical Copy -- Is a Physical Copy.

I'm sympathetic, but not enthusiastic or pleased.
Quoting: ElectricPrismImagine selling a game and then DROPPING support for WINDOWS, and telling customers that the Linux version still works over Cygwin and VirtualBox.

Anyways -- this is more a problem with SaaS (Software as a Service) -- because it's not really clear what I'm buying when I spend money-- A Physical Copy -- Is a Physical Copy -- -- Is a Physical Copy -- Is a Physical Copy.

I'm sympathetic, but not enthusiastic or pleased.
Yes, there is a strange expectation Linux users are supposed to have, which is to be grateful they were supported at all, for any length of time. Because this platform is so hard for developers to support. And besides, you can work around it, right? You guys are always working around stuff

It seems Linux ports are treated more like charity work than anything else.
StalePopcorn Jun 9, 2023
The absolutely only thing I mind is that, I feel, they could've stated that it does work via Proton.
ElectricPrism Jun 9, 2023
Quoting: pleasereadthemanualIt seems Linux ports are treated more like charity work than anything else.

This is why I put my money where my mouth is and throw it at as much Linux stuff was possible. I bought 5 Steam Decks, a Valve Index, 5k-10k in GPUs and computer parts the last year or two.

I'm not attempting to flex, it's just that I can't think of another way to put a [ X ] big beacon on Linux.

Of course I bought Payday 2 for the Linux support, and now -- I guess they'll have to take a back seat and back burner for prioritizing my purchases (as such I'm not compelled or incentivized to buy Payday 3 just like I haven't purchased Serious Sam 4 -- as a matter or ethics and principle -- what is the draw when there are so many other pro-Linux choices for me to support?)

And so it goes. I wish them well, but make room for somebody else who values my money.
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