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Update: Looks like the beta is up! It does have some known issues they've stated like it taking a while to launch, hot-plugging issues with controllers and "graphical glitches on lockboxes and jumpgates on radv". I've requested a key to see if we can take a look (edit: they've now provided me with a key).

Original article:

Looks like the folks over at Egosoft are keeping to their word, as they've announced a Linux beta really is going to be soon.

They did announce back in January that a Linux version would be available somewhere between the 2.0 and 2.50 updates. Yesterday, the big 2.0 update was released and they mentioned this about Linux:

Linux support is on its way:
In the next few days we will launch the X4: Foundations beta for Linux. If you have a gaming PC running under Linux and are able to help us test the game on this platform, please give it a try! Linux-specific issues can be reported in the dedicated Linux support thread.

Egosoft seems to have had another rough start, as X4 is currently sat with a "Mixed" rating overall on Steam. Hopefully with their commitment to continue expanding it, they might be able to turn this around.

It's a pretty big update to the game, here's what's been added:

  • Player owned shipyards, wharfs and equipment docks:
    Players can now build and operate their own shipyards. This allows leaving an even deeper impact on the game’s economy. Build ships for yourself or deliver them to the war factions. Participate in the faction wars on the highest possible level or just make a lot of profitsss.
  • Steam Workshop integration:
    Starting with version 2.00 X4: Foundations now also supports installing game mods via the Steam workshop. This will make it easier than ever for players to try out some of the already existing cool X4 mods!
  • Rebalancing of fight and economy:
    With Update 2.00 we changed a lot of parameters of the game economy and fight balancing. The goals include making crew gaining experience a bit easier, but also making a lot of changes to the turret and capital ship fight balancing.
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Purple Library Guy Feb 26, 2019
I dunno. I just can't trust a game studio owned by the Living Planet.
Linuxpunk Feb 26, 2019
I'm so excited about this. I got X4 since last xmas, a 2 month wait didn't seem that long.

I'll post my impressions in the Steam forums, bare in mind it's a beta, and the windows version of the game still has bugs as it is.
Alm888 Feb 27, 2019
Quoting: PatolaI am curious. What's the problem with Mimimi Productions (which made a very well ported game) and Larian Studios (which made Divinity Original Sin Enhanced Edition for Linux, but not Divinity Original Sin 2)?
"Mimimi Productions"? Almost nothing. It was just when I had been eager to get the game they had "forgotten" to produce version 2.2.2f (or something like this) for Linux and the game was outdated with signs of being dropped, so I put it in the wishlist. And it is there ever since. Didn't find good enough time to buy it, as I have plenty of games and the first impulsive urge for purchase is long gone. I'll get it… eventually… maybe. :S:

Ans as for "Larian Studios", do I really have to explain? I believe their actions speak better than my words.
OK, OK. Longer explanation: due to their creative way of releasing I have had a quarrel with my friend (a Windows pir^W user) who wanted to play co-op with me at the Windows release (and I was rather outraged by his insistence and attempts to force me to install Windows) but could not even remember the game by the time the Linux version materialized. Yes, he is a walking example of hype so "freshness" of the game actually matters to me a great deal.


Last edited by Alm888 on 27 February 2019 at 3:54 am UTC
iiari Feb 27, 2019
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Oh, no, it's finally here. See you all again in a year when I emerge from playing long enough to try a different game...
Phlebiac Feb 27, 2019
Quoting: PatolaWhat's the problem with ... Larian Studios (which made Divinity Original Sin Enhanced Edition for Linux, but not Divinity Original Sin 2)?

It was a quite long delay on the Linux port, which was promised as part of the Kickstarter. I understand it was a good port when it was finally released; haven't gotten around to playing it myself.
Boldos Feb 27, 2019
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Meh... Steam keeps downloading the Win/Proton version
Linuxpunk Feb 27, 2019
Quoting: BoldosMeh... Steam keeps downloading the Win/Proton version

Where are you? I'm in Mexico and Steam took a little while to update. Maybe it's up now?
peta77 Feb 28, 2019
Don't know if I should get the beta, but definitely will buy it at some point (doesn't have to be on sale for me, but somewhat stable/"finished").
I really like the job egosoft is doing, updating their games continuously, providing bugfixes and improvements over a very long period. That's a role model for other computer game companies (even big ones)!!
As the percentage of Linux users/buyers is still relatively small, I am comfortable with a delayed release on Linux. Especially because we get a version where most of the major bugs are already fixed :-) And I don't have a problem paying full price, because games like this one, that provide content for a very long time with superb long time support deserve to get their money (like you want to be paid adequately for your job as well, right?).

P.S. I don't understand why everyone (or at least many people) hated X-Rebirth... I'm relatively new to the X-Series and X-Rebirth gave me a wonderful introduction to the whole thing, being able to actually play it. X3 was kind of a small desaster in that respect (when being able to play a game needs to look for tutorials on the web and watch a couple of introductory videos, I don't think that's something to be called user-friendly)
Ardje Mar 10, 2019
Quoting: peta77P.S. I don't understand why everyone (or at least many people) hated X-Rebirth... I'm relatively new to the X-Series and X-Rebirth gave me a wonderful introduction to the whole thing, being able to actually play it. X3 was kind of a small desaster in that respect (when being able to play a game needs to look for tutorials on the web and watch a couple of introductory videos, I don't think that's something to be called user-friendly)
Ah, thanks for that insight!
I own X2, X3 the limited edition version (signed by the porter, and a shirt tucked in in an X) since they came out. I rebought those versions on steam, and then could actually play them because egosoft redid the ports correctly. But it's such an immense universe, I have to page out a lot of other games for a year, just to be able to play and control these series :-(.
So I never have.
Should start with rebirth then :-).
Ehvis Mar 11, 2019
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Quoting: PatolaI love X: Rebirth but X4 is better in so many ways that I can't realistically get back to it today.

It is at least better at testing my rig. I optimistically thought I was fine to put everything up tot maximum. Wow, did that hurt in the starting station. :D

Other than that I'll have to start figuring it out. It doesn't really help you to even get started. One thing it does really well is to immediately make you feel tiny.
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