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Racing game BlazeRush ending support for Linux, macOS and SteamVR

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Targem Games just announced their racing game BlazeRush is getting a big upgrade for the tenth anniversary but they're going to sunset their Linux, macOS and SteamVR support.

In an announcement on Steam they didn't go into detail on the exact reasons other than some vague note about issues. Here's what they said:

Hello, intergalactic racers!

Due to technical difficulties, support for the game on Linux and Mac systems will be discontinued and the SteamVR version will also become unavailable.

Unfortunately, downloading and running BlazeRush on Linux, Mac and SteamVR will soon be impossible.

This will not affect players who use Windows systems. In addition, we are happy to announce that a major update for the Windows version will soon be released to celebrate the tenth anniversary of BlazeRush! Stay tuned!

Currently, the game has a Native Linux version and it is Steam Deck Verified. Valve's verification for Steam Deck was done on the Native Linux version too, so Valve will end up being forced to re-test this one on Proton if it's to keep the Verified sticker.

What the developer said above is technically incorrect though. Even if they entirely removed the Linux version, all you'll need to do is use Proton, so it won't be as "impossible" as they say. If they do plan to just entirely remove them, that's a whole 'nother problem though which just shouldn't be a thing. Delisting so they're not advertised and updated? Fine, but completely removing is incredibly anti-consumer.

Still a shame to see this happen at all though, as I've played it a good few times over the years in local multiplayer and it's an absolute riot. It's a really fun game. So I'm thankful Proton from Valve exists yet again.

The game is available to buy from: Fanatical | Humble Store | Steam

I did a video of this one a whole 5 years ago:

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Update 24/05/24 - The developer has released another Steam news post to clarify the situation a little. Here's what they said:

In the last news we indicated that the version for Mac and Linux systems will become completely unavailable. This message was incomplete and contained an error!

We would like to correct ourselves and make things clear: the version for Linux and Mac OS will not receive the upcoming update. However, users of these operating systems will be able to continue to download and play the current version of BlazeRush.

We apologize for our mistake and wish you the wildest interplanetary races!  

At least on Linux / Steam Deck, you will be able to just run the updated Windows version with Proton. But still, Valve will need to re-verify it for Steam Deck now too, which the developer did not mention.

Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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27 comments
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kokoko3k May 23
So, let me understand.

I've this game on native Linux on steam and after the update i will not have the possibility to download it anymore?

Does this feel right to anyone?
artixbtw May 23
QuoteUnfortunately, downloading and running BlazeRush on Linux, Mac and SteamVR will soon be impossible.
Get to archiving, everyone!

(Now, I am sure it is technically possible to downgrade by using older depot versions, but the developers could technically get rid of that possibility...)


Last edited by artixbtw on 23 May 2024 at 8:28 am UTC
Quoting: kokoko3kSo, let me understand.

I've this game on native Linux on steam and after the update i will not have the possibility to download it anymore?

Does this feel right to anyone?
Welcome to the state of gaming in 2024........ Over priced DLC........ Microtransactions out the warzoo..... Out of control in game gambling........ Gaming as a service....... Changing account requirements after purchase........ And now...... Changing OS support after purchase....... What a time to be a live......

Quoting: jams3223I am blacklisting this studio, and I'll never buy a game from them.
Targem Games has made...... The list...... I will do doing the same.......
Pengling May 23
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I love how the developers decided to dedicate most of their anniversary post to kicking out Linux and Mac users, and then proclaimed "WIDNOWZ USARZ CELLEBRAYTE!!!11one". The tonal-whiplash is amazing.
kokoko3k May 23
Quoting: StoneColdSpider
Quoting: kokoko3kSo, let me understand.

I've this game on native Linux on steam and after the update i will not have the possibility to download it anymore?

Does this feel right to anyone?
Welcome to the state of gaming in 2024........ Over priced DLC........ Microtransactions out the warzoo..... Out of control in game gambling........ Gaming as a service....... Changing account requirements after purchase........ And now...... Changing OS support after purchase....... What a time to be a live......

Quoting: jams3223I am blacklisting this studio, and I'll never buy a game from them.
Targem Games has made...... The list...... I will do doing the same.......

This is Valve enforcing game updates vis Steam.
Blaze Rush is a lightweight title that works on an old netbook which is unable to run Vulkan, unable to run Proton via dxvk, I don't want even imagine what would happen via wined3d.

They are reducing my possibility to play it, and I've paid for it.

Instead, people pirating games are FREE from all of that, really, this time shame on you, Valve.
Mambo May 23
Quoting: kokoko3k
Quoting: StoneColdSpider
Quoting: kokoko3kSo, let me understand.

I've this game on native Linux on steam and after the update i will not have the possibility to download it anymore?

Does this feel right to anyone?
Welcome to the state of gaming in 2024........ Over priced DLC........ Microtransactions out the warzoo..... Out of control in game gambling........ Gaming as a service....... Changing account requirements after purchase........ And now...... Changing OS support after purchase....... What a time to be a live......

Quoting: jams3223I am blacklisting this studio, and I'll never buy a game from them.
Targem Games has made...... The list...... I will do doing the same.......

This is Valve enforcing game updates vis Steam.
Blaze Rush is a lightweight title that works on an old netbook which is unable to run Vulkan, unable to run Proton via dxvk, I don't want even imagine what would happen via wined3d.

They are reducing my possibility to play it, and I've paid for it.

Instead, people pirating games are FREE from all of that, really, this time shame on you, Valve.

Steam supports beta branches, which are often used to keep around old versions before disruptive changes. That publisher should still take the responsibility and face demands for refunds though.
slaapliedje May 23
Quoting: Mambo
Quoting: kokoko3k
Quoting: StoneColdSpider
Quoting: kokoko3kSo, let me understand.

I've this game on native Linux on steam and after the update i will not have the possibility to download it anymore?

Does this feel right to anyone?
Welcome to the state of gaming in 2024........ Over priced DLC........ Microtransactions out the warzoo..... Out of control in game gambling........ Gaming as a service....... Changing account requirements after purchase........ And now...... Changing OS support after purchase....... What a time to be a live......

Quoting: jams3223I am blacklisting this studio, and I'll never buy a game from them.
Targem Games has made...... The list...... I will do doing the same.......

This is Valve enforcing game updates vis Steam.
Blaze Rush is a lightweight title that works on an old netbook which is unable to run Vulkan, unable to run Proton via dxvk, I don't want even imagine what would happen via wined3d.

They are reducing my possibility to play it, and I've paid for it.

Instead, people pirating games are FREE from all of that, really, this time shame on you, Valve.

Steam supports beta branches, which are often used to keep around old versions before disruptive changes. That publisher should still take the responsibility and face demands for refunds though.
Think this option is on the developers though, right?

The game is developed by Russians, maybe they are being forced to add in a rootkit, which won't work on Linux and mac, so they're just ditching those platforms?
kokoko3k May 23
Quoting: Mambo
Quoting: kokoko3k
Quoting: StoneColdSpider
Quoting: kokoko3kSo, let me understand.

I've this game on native Linux on steam and after the update i will not have the possibility to download it anymore?

Does this feel right to anyone?
Welcome to the state of gaming in 2024........ Over priced DLC........ Microtransactions out the warzoo..... Out of control in game gambling........ Gaming as a service....... Changing account requirements after purchase........ And now...... Changing OS support after purchase....... What a time to be a live......

Quoting: jams3223I am blacklisting this studio, and I'll never buy a game from them.
Targem Games has made...... The list...... I will do doing the same.......

This is Valve enforcing game updates vis Steam.
Blaze Rush is a lightweight title that works on an old netbook which is unable to run Vulkan, unable to run Proton via dxvk, I don't want even imagine what would happen via wined3d.

They are reducing my possibility to play it, and I've paid for it.

Instead, people pirating games are FREE from all of that, really, this time shame on you, Valve.

Steam supports beta branches, which are often used to keep around old versions before disruptive changes. That publisher should still take the responsibility and face demands for refunds though.

Steam "supports" beta branches, but "enforces" updates, this means that developer is free to end support anytime.
LoudTechie May 23
Quoting: slaapliedje
Quoting: Mambo
Quoting: kokoko3k
Quoting: StoneColdSpider
Quoting: kokoko3kSo, let me understand.

I've this game on native Linux on steam and after the update i will not have the possibility to download it anymore?

Does this feel right to anyone?
Welcome to the state of gaming in 2024........ Over priced DLC........ Microtransactions out the warzoo..... Out of control in game gambling........ Gaming as a service....... Changing account requirements after purchase........ And now...... Changing OS support after purchase....... What a time to be a live......

Quoting: jams3223I am blacklisting this studio, and I'll never buy a game from them.
Targem Games has made...... The list...... I will do doing the same.......

This is Valve enforcing game updates vis Steam.
Blaze Rush is a lightweight title that works on an old netbook which is unable to run Vulkan, unable to run Proton via dxvk, I don't want even imagine what would happen via wined3d.

They are reducing my possibility to play it, and I've paid for it.

Instead, people pirating games are FREE from all of that, really, this time shame on you, Valve.

Steam supports beta branches, which are often used to keep around old versions before disruptive changes. That publisher should still take the responsibility and face demands for refunds though.
Think this option is on the developers though, right?

The game is developed by Russians, maybe they are being forced to add in a rootkit, which won't work on Linux and mac, so they're just ditching those platforms?
Nah, any government enforced rootkit will support Linux and Mac, unless it is target specific.
Basically all journalists, rich businessmen and activists use Mac.
Basically all valuable servers run Linux.
The low level Iphone jailbreak bugs mostly come from discovered government malware.
Against Linux source code poisoning is popular.
"Write your first rootkit" is a training exercise for mediocre kernel developers.
Just, because ransomware writers don't have standards and are willing to settle for Windows, because it has the less capable admins and has the security of an open door doesn't mean governments don't.
Edit:
In this rant I'm assuming they can get super user permissions from their users, but with the "anti-cheat" claim for a native game this could work.


Last edited by LoudTechie on 23 May 2024 at 8:32 pm UTC
Liam Dawe May 24
Article updated, see the bottom.
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