Support us on Patreon to keep GamingOnLinux alive. This ensures all of our main content remains free for everyone. Just good, fresh content! Alternatively, you can donate through PayPal. You can also buy games using our partner links for GOG and Humble Store.
We do often include affiliate links to earn us some pennies. See more here.

Liftoff, a drone racing game that launched this year has Linux support

By - | Views: 10,523

For those who love the idea of playing with drones, Liftoff is an interesting drone sim that's available on Linux. Liftoff: FPV Drone Racing launched back in September, with it seeing Linux support at release.

Note: Copy provided by the developer to our Steam Curator.

YouTube Thumbnail
YouTube videos require cookies, you must accept their cookies to view. View cookie preferences.
Accept Cookies & Show   Direct Link

More about it:

Liftoff is the gateway to the quadcopter racing scene, a platform both for pilots with real-life experience and for gamers who are still unfamiliar with the new sport. Veterans can explore new environments or race one another, while newcomers can hone their flying skills before taking to the field.

We want to open up the FPV racing experience to everyone. Liftoff is a game for everyone, from FPV racing veterans to gamers who want take their first digital steps in the drone racing scene.

Liftoff features realistic drone physics, recommended by top drone pilots in the world. Flying a drone in the game feels so real, you’ll forget it isn’t.

It worked quite nicely with both the Steam Controller and the Logitech F310. Not that I'm any good at it, I will openly admit this might be the game where I could easily be the worst player in the world. However, the developer does make it clear in the first tutorial video (full tutorial video list can be found here) that it's not something people grasp easily and does require some perseverance.

I love what they did with the tutorial section, giving you a video in the Steam Overlay with a track to test out what it's showing—pretty slick way to do it. Didn't help me at all though, I find drones far too tricky to control. I spent most of my time smashing into the floor or flying way away from the track in any races I tried. I can certainly see the appeal though, it's vastly different to other sims and racing games and I actually enjoyed it.

So if drone racing might be your thing, it could be worth checking out. Find it on Steam.

Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
6 Likes
About the author -
author picture
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.
See more from me
The comments on this article are closed.
8 comments

morgancoxuk Dec 18, 2018
Looks good ...

Is it openGL or Vulkan ?
g000h Dec 18, 2018
I'm quite interested in this but would be particularly interested if you could use it with an official R.C. Remote, e.g. Spektrum DX6i using USB link cable. In my cursory look over the Steam page. I didn't spot anything to indicate that you'd get proper kit to work on it.
Gobo Dec 18, 2018
Quoting: g000hI'm quite interested in this but would be particularly interested if you could use it with an official R.C. Remote, e.g. Spektrum DX6i using USB link cable. In my cursory look over the Steam page. I didn't spot anything to indicate that you'd get proper kit to work on it.

Their homepage promises "support for a wide range of controllers" and FPV goggles, so I guess you're good to go. And the steam page reminds you that it "requires a remote or controller to play".


Last edited by Gobo on 18 December 2018 at 5:00 pm UTC
Mohandevir Dec 18, 2018
Quoting: g000hI'm quite interested in this but would be particularly interested if you could use it with an official R.C. Remote, e.g. Spektrum DX6i using USB link cable. In my cursory look over the Steam page. I didn't spot anything to indicate that you'd get proper kit to work on it.

A friend of mine who owns this game and a couple of drones told me it works great with a Jumper T8SG. Might work with your Spektrum too?


Last edited by Mohandevir on 18 December 2018 at 5:32 pm UTC
g000h Dec 19, 2018
Investigated a bit more for myself. I guess that "Yes" it is possible, by doing a fair bit of work for yourself (rather than relying on the built-in features of the game). On Windows there is a virtual joystick utility called SmartProPo Plus that you set up and once that is sorted out, you can access that Virtual Joystick in game. On Linux there's a similar one available on Github.

It seems that the similar game - FPV Freerider (Windows and Mac) works with a selection of RC Remotes, via USB adapter cable.

Long ago, I played FMS (Flying Model Simulator) using an E-Sky RC Remote and a special trainer-port-to-usb adapter cable on Windows.


Last edited by g000h on 19 December 2018 at 2:26 am UTC
Jahimself Dec 19, 2018
Thx, exactly what I was curiously needing :)
Houtworm Dec 20, 2018
Quoting: g000hI'm quite interested in this but would be particularly interested if you could use it with an official R.C. Remote, e.g. Spektrum DX6i using USB link cable. In my cursory look over the Steam page. I didn't spot anything to indicate that you'd get proper kit to work on it.

I have this game, I have a cheap flysky, and i have a Taranis 9XD, they both just work, no driver or config needed :)
tripy Dec 20, 2018
Quoting: g000hI'm quite interested in this but would be particularly interested if you could use it with an official R.C. Remote, e.g. Spektrum DX6i using USB link cable. In my cursory look over the Steam page. I didn't spot anything to indicate that you'd get proper kit to work on it.
I am using my taranis Qx7 with it.
I had also used a Flysky fs6ix before without issues.
No drivers, bridge or any kind of hack needed.
Plug the usb cable and that's it.


Last edited by tripy on 20 December 2018 at 8:22 pm UTC
While you're here, please consider supporting GamingOnLinux on:

Reward Tiers: Patreon. Plain Donations: PayPal.

This ensures all of our main content remains totally free for everyone! Patreon supporters can also remove all adverts and sponsors! Supporting us helps bring good, fresh content. Without your continued support, we simply could not continue!

You can find even more ways to support us on this dedicated page any time. If you already are, thank you!
The comments on this article are closed.