Check out our Monthly Survey Page to see what our users are running.
We do often include affiliate links to earn us some pennies. See more here.

Unreal Engine 4.1 Has Been Released, Features Early Linux Support

By - | Views: 75,791
As we have reported before about Epic Games adding in Linux support for Unreal Engine 4.1+ it is now a reality. Unreal Engine 4.1 has been released!

Right now the editor is still Windows only, but they are working on Linux support of their tools.

image

It's funny to see them say "Linux and SteamOS" like they aren't basically the same. We will need to get used to this though as you can bet bigger companies will state SteamOS rather than Linux. It is just the way things go, developers need to feel safe with a single target which they have never had with Linux before.

It really is fantastic to see so many companies pledge support for Linux, eventually it really will be a few clicks away to publish a Linux game.

The only barriers in future will be middleware that doesn't support Linux, but they will eventually have to support Linux too for when more and more games wish to put out Linux versions. Requests from actual game developers to middleware guys are what will push them after-all.

See the UE 4.1 release post here. Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
0 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.
23 comments
Page: 1/3»
  Go to:

Belarrius Apr 25, 2014
Ohhhhhh it's very very insane! <3
Widerwillig Apr 25, 2014
What about the Frostbite Engine? Is there any hint about Linux support?
xuwang Apr 25, 2014
From what I understand UE 3 is completely incompatible with UE 4. That is, it's not the same as going from Unity 3 to Unity 4. So I guess it will take some time until games that are developed are released. Yes, there have been some UE 3 ports, but not the "automatic" ports that hopefully UE 4.1 will bring.

I'm guessing that it is straightforward to upgrade from UE 4 to UE 4.1. Does anyone have a sense of what proportion of new games using UE use UE 4 versus UE 3?
Anonymous Apr 25, 2014
Quoting: WiderwilligWhat about the Frostbite Engine? Is there any hint about Linux support?

IIRC, the Frostbite Engine is developed by DICE which belongs to EA.
I'd be more than surprised to see anything Linux related from EA, until SteamOS will be overly successful and, thus, "proves" that there is a market for Linux-based games.
Mohandevir Apr 25, 2014
Because marketing is the thing! :)

Valve/SteamOS "trademark" is much more easy to sell than Linux. This is probably one of the reasons why Valve decided to throw themselves in the publication of an OS.

No more arguments about the fragmentation of Linux distributions. All you have to do is aim for SteamOS.

At this point, developpers don't need to know about the fact that it is Linux compatible... I'm sure they do but I'm not sure they all care.

Valve knows and care, we know and that's all that matters. :)
Anonymous Apr 25, 2014
Quoting: MohandevirBecause marketing is the thing! :)

Valve/SteamOS "trademark" is much more easy to sell than Linux. This is probably one of the reasons why Valve decided to throw themselves in the publication of an OS.

No more arguments about the fragmentation of Linux distributions. All you have to do is aim for SteamOS.

At this point, developpers don't need to know about the fact that it is Linux compatible... I'm sure they do but I'm not sure they all care.

Valve knows and care, we know and that's all that matters. :)

well, distro fragmentation was solved in multitude of projects long ago. build once, run everywhere or single click install and so on. problem here is that each and every distro applies its own solution instead of working towards one that rules them all (or at least one defacto included everywhere). now, how could a developer that is not versed to linux know how and which. especially when you consider that each solution is solving one aspect and forgets few and there is not one solution you could rely on.

btw, this answer is in no way disagreeing with what you said, you were correct. steam it self is doing nothing but solving this exact problem (ok, adds lots of game wise features). it provides developer with "just works" environment

as far as i see, the only solution that actually tackles all aspects is unfortunately WIP, but that is just my opinion
http://videos.guadec.org/2013/Sandboxed%20applications%20for%20GNOME/video_HD.mp4

getting something like this as standard everywhere... linux suddenly is not as scary monster in the closet as it was. not to mention, shops like desura, gog, etc could be insanely simplified
Beamboom Apr 25, 2014
Quoting: Anonymous
Quoting: WiderwilligWhat about the Frostbite Engine? Is there any hint about Linux support?
IIRC, the Frostbite Engine is developed by DICE which belongs to EA.
I'd be more than surprised to see anything Linux related from EA, until SteamOS will be overly successful and, thus, "proves" that there is a market for Linux-based games.

I actually am pretty sure I've read somewhere that indeed Frostbite for Linux is in the works too.

And a quick Googling confirmed it:
http://www.tweaktown.com/news/33438/dice-says-it-will-support-linux-could-see-battlefield-4-on-steamos/index.html

It's also listed under "game engines for Linux" on Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Game_engines_for_Linux
Liam Dawe Apr 25, 2014
Quoting: Beamboom
Quoting: Anonymous
Quoting: WiderwilligWhat about the Frostbite Engine? Is there any hint about Linux support?
IIRC, the Frostbite Engine is developed by DICE which belongs to EA.
I'd be more than surprised to see anything Linux related from EA, until SteamOS will be overly successful and, thus, "proves" that there is a market for Linux-based games.
I actually am pretty sure I've read somewhere that indeed Frostbite for Linux is in the works too.

And a quick Googling confirmed it:
http://www.tweaktown.com/news/33438/dice-says-it-will-support-linux-could-see-battlefield-4-on-steamos/index.html

It's also listed under "game engines for Linux" on Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Game_engines_for_Linux

I've said it before about that article, it's totally wrong.

They never said they will support Linux, but that they want to which are very different things.

We covered DICE with an actual quote here: http://www.gamingonlinux.com/articles/lars-gustavsson-of-dice-creators-of-battlefield-want-to-get-into-linux.2561
wolfyrion Apr 25, 2014
wow it looks awesome....

Cant wait to see what kind of games will be released with this engine...
Anonymous Apr 25, 2014
Quoting: Anonymouswell, distro fragmentation was solved in multitude of projects long ago. build once, run everywhere or single click install and so on. problem here is that each and every distro applies its own solution instead of working towards one that rules them all (or at least one defacto included everywhere). now, how could a developer that is not versed to linux know how and which. especially when you consider that each solution is solving one aspect and forgets few and there is not one solution you could rely on.

btw, this answer is in no way disagreeing with what you said, you were correct. steam it self is doing nothing but solving this exact problem (ok, adds lots of game wise features). it provides developer with "just works" environment

as far as i see, the only solution that actually tackles all aspects is unfortunately WIP, but that is just my opinion
http://videos.guadec.org/2013/Sandboxed%20applications%20for%20GNOME/video_HD.mp4

getting something like this as standard everywhere... linux suddenly is not as scary monster in the closet as it was. not to mention, shops like desura, gog, etc could be insanely simplified

I know you're not argueing. It's just that I've seen too many times some misguided arguments about Linux fragmentation to justify the fact that there is no port for this game or that one.

And for Linux not beeing a scary monster anymore... I'll drink to that! :)
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.