Don't want to see articles from a certain category? When logged in, go to your User Settings and adjust your feed in the Content Preferences section where you can block tags!
We do often include affiliate links to earn us some pennies. See more here.
Recently Wine 2.0-rc1 has been released as the next step towards another major stable release of Wine. Additionally, the Wine developers have talked about ongoing Direct3D 11 development and getting Overwatch to work.

First of all, the Wine 2.0-rc1 changelog:
- Bug fix update of the Mono engine.
- Support for IDN name resolution.
- Many more Shader Model 5 operations.
- Still more fixes in the regression tests.
- Various bug fixes.

The more interesting code hasn't yet landed in Wine or Wine-Staging yet, but it has got to the point where Overwatch seems to load up as shown by this screenshot the Wine developers provided:
image
As seen here.

It sounds like they still have some ways to go, but it's an impressive development. I've seen a lot of people say they would love to be able to play Overwatch on Linux, and using Wine is better for us than people dual-booting. Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
Tags: Wine
8 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.
42 comments
Page: «4/5»
  Go to:

tuubi Dec 14, 2016
View PC info
  • Supporter
Quoting: ShoNuffSome of you are full of it. IF this game works on wine and gets similar FPS to windows install, I guarantee you will buy and play in secret all while claiming NATIVE ONLY (in nerd voice).
Please simmer down, folks. I really don't understand why this is such a combustible issue. Linux isn't a religion. This isn't a holy war. Wine isn't heresy, nor is it perfect. It's okay to have different levels of commitment to "the cause", and we absolutely don't need to divide everything into stuff we all hate and stuff we love. Windows gamers aren't our enemies. In fact they might very well be future Linux gamers.

You've already got Reddit and Phoronix for pointless flamefests, could we please keep GOL clean, okay?

Anyway, Wine is obviously a useful project for those of us who would like to ditch Windows but are not quite ready to cut the cord. There are several valid reasons for that, and that's okay. I can easily live without Windows games, but others have different priorities. I have no doubt the day will come when Linux is the practical choice for a gamer as well as the right choice. For now it's only the latter.


PS: A Linux gamer mocking nerds... Anybody else smell the irony?
ShoNuff!!! Dec 14, 2016
Quoting: tuubiPlease simmer down, folks. I really don't understand why this is such a combustible issue. Linux isn't a religion. This isn't a holy war. Wine isn't heresy, nor is it perfect. It's okay to have different levels of commitment to "the cause", and we absolutely don't need to divide everything into stuff we all hate and stuff we love. Windows gamers aren't our enemies. In fact they might very well be future Linux gamers.
PS: A Linux gamer mocking nerds... Anybody else smell the irony?

Mocking not at all... wanted you to here the nerd voice lol. I reiterate, some people are full of it... native is an ideal but to say you won't play a game like Overwatch thru wine... don't believe it! Personally, I hope they can get Titanfall2 running thru wine.... if it happens, take my money right now... and am sure others would follow!


Last edited by ShoNuff!!! on 14 December 2016 at 5:04 pm UTC
Purple Library Guy Dec 14, 2016
Quoting: ShoNuffSome of you are full of it. IF this game works on wine and gets similar FPS to windows install, I guarantee you will buy and play in secret all while claiming NATIVE ONLY (in nerd voice).

Think you're using the wrong pronoun on just who is full of it. I've used Wine for some things (notably Starcraft), I've been known to use a Windows partition for some things, although I'm not doing either just lately. But unlike some, I am not so insecure as to lose it and ooze spite when I encounter someone whose commitment to some ethic is stronger than mine. Sorry, but there really are some people who are willing to endure inconvenience for a principle, and it is the mark of a very small person to pretend they are lying in an attempt to bring them down to one's own level.
ShoNuff!!! Dec 14, 2016
Quoting: Purple Library GuyI've been known to use a Windows partition for some things, although I'm not doing either just lately. But unlike some, I am not so insecure as to lose it and ooze spite when I encounter someone whose commitment to some ethic is stronger than mine. Sorry, but there really are some people who are willing to endure inconvenience for a principle, and it is the mark of a very small person to pretend they are lying in an attempt to bring them down to one's own level.

Endure on. Linux, Windows... doesn't really matter... it's all about choice at the end of the day. You wait for native or play through wine --completely your choice. Most of us will probably be playing this on wine though... to be honest.


Last edited by ShoNuff!!! on 14 December 2016 at 5:39 pm UTC
tuubi Dec 14, 2016
View PC info
  • Supporter
Quoting: Purple Library GuySorry, but there really are some people who are willing to endure inconvenience for a principle, and it is the mark of a very small person to pretend they are lying in an attempt to bring them down to one's own level.
I don't need to endure anything, and I'm not using Linux for the "principle". If anything, I run Linux for the convenience. Linux works for me, and no game is worth the pain in the neck that is Windows.

That's what I was trying to point out in my previous comment. This is not a community split into Linux zealots and dual booting pragmatists. We're just a diverse bunch of people who like games and like to play them on Linux, for all kinds of different reasons.


Quoting: ShoNuffMost of us will probably be playing this on wine though... to be honest.
I don't think that many of us will. But then again, the game doesn't seem at all interesting to me, so maybe we're both projecting. But more importantly, I don't see why people would even be dishonest here. What would they gain? You must understand that blanket accusations of lying might just rub people the wrong way.
Kimyrielle Dec 14, 2016
To be honest, it makes very little difference if you dual boot to run your Windows games or use WINE for it. In both cases, your game purchase will register as a Windows sale.
What people need to do to get developers making games for Linux is limiting purchasing Windows games to the minimum they are comfortable with, and buy Linux games whenever possible. Buying Windows games and run them in WINE will do exactly nothing to encourage developers to make native ports. It doesn't mean we need to be zealots about it, it just means trying to funnel our money to those developers willing to support us. It means treating buying Windows games as an exception we reserve for truly special games.

Personally, I like it when my older games run in WINE, and I am in no shape or fashion opposed to it. I don't see it as a long term solution for Linux gaming either - in the end we want native ports. My gripe with WINE is not ethical, it's more an issue of practicability and convenience. As awesome as WINE is in making software run on a foreign OS, I can barely name you ANY game that "just runs" in WINE without a more or less massive amount of tinkering and trial and error - if it runs without massive issues at all, which is the rule and not the exception. I am using it for SWTOR (which actually is one of the few games I tried that run amazingly well in WINE), but others I couldn't get to run for the life of me (e.g. the Steam version of The Sims 3), others had their support suddenly broken by patches (e.g. Elder Scrolls Online), and yet others run so badly in WINE that keeping a Windows partition around is a much smarter choice (e.g. Star Trek Online, Guild Wars 2).

In the end, I am torn about WINE. I have nothing but respect for the developers and what they achieved, but for gaming, it's just not (yet) good enough to be a true alternative to dual booting. Better DX11 support will be a step in the right direction, though.
minidou Dec 15, 2016
Quoting: ShoNuffSome of you are full of it.
could you be any more toxic...

Quoting: ShoNuffIF this game works on wine and gets similar FPS to windows install, I guarantee you will buy and play in secret all while claiming NATIVE ONLY (in nerd voice).
I'm afraid that's not going to happen

Quoting: ShoNuffThere is a plethora of games that run better or just as good as windows through wine! I am an NVIDIA user and run a ton of games thru Steam using wine... it's not hard to do. The majority of wine complainers probably don't understand how to run the wine Prefix or for that matter write a script to run it from desktop.
no need for the condescending tone, geez

I use wine form previously bought games that don't have linux binaries, and I certainly know how to get good performance and have my ways with multiple prefixes. I am thankful for the work of wine developers, as I'm sure everyone is.
Still is hardly convenient to check wich prefix and setting to use everytime you install a game.

It's fine that you are content with wine solution, but I believe in the necessity not to reward videogame makers without linux builds, and I can easily fight the urge to play the latest overhyped crazes

Have been living solely on Linux for almost two years now, never been so satisfied with an OS

Quoting: tuubiI don't need to endure anything, and I'm not using Linux for the "principle". If anything, I run Linux for the convenience. Linux works for me, and no game is worth the pain in the neck that is Windows.
yes, amazes me that people refuse to see linux as an alternative when all I hear about windows nowadays is people complaining about fucked up drivers, updates resetting windows settings, privacy concern about the gazilion data-gathering dorment processes that are a pain to disable, useless preinstalled microsoft apps,...

Windows really has lost a lot in its maintenance easiness


Last edited by minidou on 15 December 2016 at 1:23 am UTC
ShoNuff!!! Dec 15, 2016
Quoting: minidoucould you be any more toxic...

Probably but wasn't trying to be.

Quoting: ShoNuffIF this game works on wine and gets similar FPS to windows install, I guarantee you will buy and play in secret all while claiming NATIVE ONLY (in nerd voice).
Quoting: minidouI'm afraid that's not going to happen

We'll never know what you actually do but I would wager that the majority of people who don't dual boot are going to use wine to play this game.

Quoting: ShoNuffThere is a plethora of games that run better or just as good as windows through wine! I am an NVIDIA user and run a ton of games thru Steam using wine... it's not hard to do. The majority of wine complainers probably don't understand how to run the wine Prefix or for that matter write a script to run it from desktop.

Quoting: minidouno need for the condescending tone, geez

Dude, this is not condescending more like likely the case more times than not. Also, I am not saying wine is a golden ticket where every game runs perfectly but definitely happening on many of them. Not going to go thru each game but check out what WoW players are getting using wine as only one example (it's an old game sure but it's been getting steady performance that IMO is not far from Windows and in some cases better)... if that is not enough I am sure there is enough youtube videos for you to comb thru if you choose to do so. Some of these videos demonstrate failed fps performance as well, along with successful wine implimentation. Hell, recent personal experience has me playing FFXIV Heavensward from wine, exhibiting very good performance too.

Quoting: minidouI use wine form previously bought games that don't have linux binaries, and I certainly know how to get good performance and have my ways with multiple prefixes. I am thankful for the work of wine developers, as I'm sure everyone is.
Still is hardly convenient to check wich prefix and setting to use everytime you install a game. It's fine that you are content with wine solution, but I believe in the necessity not to reward videogame makers without linux builds, and I can easily fight the urge to play the latest overhyped crazes.

Not content but being realistic. Until Vulkan is a true reality and games are predominately based on it implimentation.. more times if the game is not native to linux --> than wine, dual booting or going straight windows is going to be it for pc players.

Quoting: minidouHave been living solely on Linux for almost two years now, never been so satisfied with an OS.

I have been solely on linux since 2003 if we are seeing whose is bigger.

Quoting: tuubiI don't need to endure anything, and I'm not using Linux for the "principle". If anything, I run Linux for the convenience. Linux works for me, and no game is worth the pain in the neck that is Windows.
yes, amazes me that people refuse to see linux as an alternative when all I hear about windows nowadays is people complaining about fucked up drivers, updates resetting windows settings, privacy concern about the gazilion data-gathering dorment processes that are a pain to disable, useless preinstalled microsoft apps,... Windows really has lost a lot in its maintenance easiness

I completely agree and support anyones decision not to play poplular games... no matter the OS if they have some personal conviction not to do so. But for those who simply want to game... and game on linux... holding out in hope for developers to recognize linux gamers is an uphill battle and will ultimately leave you (not you personally) playing the occasional very well made Indie game (nothing wrong with that but to be honest they are hit or miss).

I applaud the wine developers and will contribute a huge donation by years end. If you find what was said offending get over it... wasn't my intent. *My last response on this topic.


Last edited by ShoNuff!!! on 15 December 2016 at 3:29 am UTC
ShoNuff!!! Dec 15, 2016
Quoting: Kimyriellebut others I couldn't get to run for the life of me (e.g. the Steam version of The Sims 3), others had their support suddenly broken by patches (e.g. Elder Scrolls Online), and yet others run so badly in WINE that keeping a Windows partition around is a much smarter choice (e.g. Star Trek Online, Guild Wars 2).

Totally agree.. wine can be a pain but once set up... no real issues unless the game just isn't able to be run because of some DirectX or anti-cheat software causing issue. Though it could be hit or miss depending on what hardware you have and finding the right overides for your wine setup based on your specific hardware could work wonders --> DLL Overides overides might help if you have not implemented them. My overides are: WINEDLLOVERIDES="GALLIUM_HUD=fps,MESA_GLSL_VERSION_OVERRIDE="4.1COMPAT",vblank_mode=0,export,force_s3tc_enable=true,STAGING_SHARED_MEMORY=1,STAGING_WRITECOPY=1" Some of this is overkill but it works for Hounds the Last Hope (took me forever to figure this out and I have used it on everything else from that point forward). I don't question it as alot of it was luck on my part and my games start... all trial and error (I am sure someone reading this will point out flaws in implementation... all I know is it works for me on my specific hardware). Of course I installed some necessary stuff thru winetricks too and made some config changes dependent on the game but it all is under one wine build for steam. I recommend putting it in a script that runs from desktop. Additionally, that script can be run like a game thru native steam so you can now use the steam controller when initiating wine games.

I have Guild Wars2 in a seperate wine build from my Steam account using the provided DLLOVERIDES and it has played without issue and always updates without problem... and I have a significantly lesser card and processor than you have so DLLOVERIDES maybe the culprit and could help your situation.. not sure if it is but trying to be helpful since we have some of the same games. Since setting things up properly... all other games seem to have no issues installing under one wine build... I know that's a no no but I have had no issues... I just seperate 32 bit builds and 64 bit builds and apply appropriately --no fuss.


Last edited by ShoNuff!!! on 15 December 2016 at 11:51 am UTC
Liam Dawe Dec 15, 2016


Wine is great, even I can admit that. I've put plenty of hours into Starcraft II in the past thanks to Wine.

Wine is one of the only reasons I was able to stay on Linux some time ago, so thanks to Wine this site is still here as well.

There will always be games people absolutely want to play, so if there's a way on Linux and that game will likely never come to Linux, why shun people who want to use it? It's their choice and having a choice is what matters.

Buy native games of course whenever you can, but we should never shun people for playing games they love ON Linux just because of Wine.

My girlfriend is an Overwatch addict, so I may even pick up Overwatch if it eventually gets good support in Wine so I can share in the fun with my girlfriend. Wine has its uses.
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.