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GE-Proton 8-25 released, should fix a bunch of early 2000s games

By - | Views: 42,062

A small hotfix release of GE-Proton went up with GE-Proton 8-25 containing two changes, but for players of classic games it might be a good release to try.

From the changelog:

  • Remove Baldur's Gate 3 launcher workaround (no longer needed)
  • Add mpegvideo codec to ffmpeg, should complete Crimson Skies, Azumanga Fighter and possibly a lot of other early 2000s games. (thanks loathingKernel)


Here's a text guide on how to install GE-Proton.

Download ProtonUp-Qt

For Steam Deck, make sure you're in Desktop Mode. Steam Button -> Power - Switch to Desktop.

  • Steam Deck / KDE Plasma - Open the Discover store, in the search box (top left) type in "ProtonUp-Qt", click it and hit Install (top right). Alternatively on Steam Deck if you have Decky Loader, you can also try the "Wine Cellar" plugin.
  • Manual install / GNOME - head to the official website, scroll down and pick your favourite download option either AppImage or Flathub. On GNOME desktops, you can also download via GNOME Software.

Using ProtonUp-Qt:

  • Launch ProtonUp-Qt.
  • Make sure it's set to Steam at the top and select to install GE-Proton.
  • Reload Steam to update the compatibility layer list.
  • In Steam:
    • Desktop: right click a game and go to Properties.
    • Steam Deck / Big Picture Mode: find the game in your library, go to the little cog on the right and then select Properties.
  • Compatibility menu -> Tick the box, select GE-Proton from the drop-down menu.

My original video of how to do it on Steam Deck:

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27 comments
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F.Ultra Nov 22, 2023
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Quoting: Purple Library Guy
Quoting: kuhpunktDoes anybody have any idea if Valve is still working on a solution to this problem? All this ffmpeg stuff. It's great that GE-Proton exists, but it would be nice if you could just rely on vanilla Proton.
Isn't their solution basically mechanical, going through games one at a time redoing video files as something usable?

Is this one of those things where it matters if the file format is still patented?

quite sure it's a patent issue yes, Valve would be a nice juicy target for any patent troll.
sonic2kk Nov 22, 2023
Quoting: BrokattIt's not available either as a snap or deb.

While it isn't available as a Snap or a Debian package, it is available via Pacstall for Ubuntu-based distros since January ( DavidoTek/ProtonUp-Qt#83 ). There is an open issue for adding a Debian package ( DavidoTek/ProtonUp-Qt#69 ).

Historically, ProtonUp-Qt was not provided as a Snap due to some issues with strict file access ( DavidoTek/ProtonUp-Qt#3 ), but there was renewed interest and a new issue was opened afterwards ( DavidoTek/ProtonUp-Qt#123 ). Hopefully this is some useful background.

ProtonUp-Qt is also available via AppImage as another user mentioned, there are also two AUR packages, and of course it's available on Flathub.


Last edited by sonic2kk on 23 November 2023 at 12:05 am UTC
Brokatt Nov 23, 2023
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Quoting: Bestia
Quoting: BrokattI am also a Kubuntu user, you have to have Flatpak for this. It's not available either as a snap or deb. If I remember correctly you have to open Discover, go to settings and enable flathub. If I am wrong you can follow these instructions: https://flatpak.org/setup/Kubuntu

No you don't have to have Flatpak.

ProtonUp-Qt is available as AppImage.

https://github.com/DavidoTek/ProtonUp-Qt/releases

My mistake. I don't use Appimage as if find it tedious to, find the file and right click, open in terminal, everytime I want to run them.

Quoting: sonic2kk
Quoting: BrokattIt's not available either as a snap or deb.

While it isn't available as a Snap or a Debian package, it is available via Pacstall for Ubuntu-based distros since January ( DavidoTek/ProtonUp-Qt#83 ). There is an open issue for adding a Debian package ( DavidoTek/ProtonUp-Qt#69 ).

Historically, ProtonUp-Qt was not provided as a Snap due to some issues with strict file access ( DavidoTek/ProtonUp-Qt#3 ), but there was renewed interest and a new issue was opened afterwards ( DavidoTek/ProtonUp-Qt#123 ). Hopefully this is some useful background.

ProtonUp-Qt is also available via AppImage as another user mentioned, there are also two AUR packages, and of course it's available on Flathub.

That's interesting, thanks for the info.


Last edited by Brokatt on 23 November 2023 at 8:32 am UTC
neolith Nov 23, 2023
I am going to play Crimson Skies again! On the Steam Deck - woohoo!

QuoteAdd mpegvideo codec to ffmpeg
I wonder what else this might fix. One of the problems I have with the original Gothic is that none of the videos play properly. And that game is from 2001...
whizse Nov 23, 2023
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Quoting: neolithI wonder what else this might fix. One of the problems I have with the original Gothic is that none of the videos play properly. And that game is from 2001...
Gothic uses Bink video so different problem I'm afraid.
dziadulewicz Nov 23, 2023
Quoting: Bestia
Quoting: BrokattI am also a Kubuntu user, you have to have Flatpak for this. It's not available either as a snap or deb. If I remember correctly you have to open Discover, go to settings and enable flathub. If I am wrong you can follow these instructions: https://flatpak.org/setup/Kubuntu

No you don't have to have Flatpak.

ProtonUp-Qt is available as AppImage.

https://github.com/DavidoTek/ProtonUp-Qt/releases

For both of these, flatpak and appimage, additional setting up through terminal prompt is required on Ubuntu. Obviously we would need a snap -and or a deb package for ProtonUp-QT.

Less and less people are willing to tinker nowadays on Linux such as Ubuntu and ones based on it. And as that, people just state "fuck it" if there is no simple couple of click install. Not good nor bad i suppose, just the way it's starting to be.
neolith Nov 23, 2023
Quoting: whizseGothic uses Bink video so different problem I'm afraid.
Ah, I see - thanks for the info.
dziadulewicz Nov 23, 2023
Quoting: BrokattMy mistake. I don't use Appimage as if find it tedious to, find the file and right click, open in terminal, everytime I want to run them.

They are tedious for many, especially on Ubuntu: not only you have to setup the system to handle AppImages, after that downloading each AppImage package one has to chmod it too for running. Then again AppImages don't self update either, so this procedure has to be done every time getting a new version. So unnecessarily complicated and backwards IMO.

Flatpaks and snaps are more of a common handy ways, really.
dr_vincent Nov 23, 2023
Using "Gear Lever" can make managing your appimages a bit less hassle:
https://ostechnix.com/manage-appimages-with-gear-lever/
Installs and updates are drag and drop once you have downloaded them.
dziadulewicz Nov 23, 2023
Quoting: dr_vincentUsing "Gear Lever" can make managing your appimages a bit less hassle:
https://ostechnix.com/manage-appimages-with-gear-lever/
Installs and updates are drag and drop once you have downloaded them.

So in other words 3rd party solutions are needed to make AppImages "less hassle" (which still obviously remains an unnecessery hassle because of AppImage design). I also hear that the AppImage main developer is stubborn, for example refusing Wayland support altogether. What... (correct if this is not true, sounds unbelievable).
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