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Title: Getting Metro Exodus to run on Linux Mint 19
Dysomnia 18 Apr 2021
Hi all,

when I try to launch Metro Exodus I get an error message telling me that my libc version is too old for the game to run (Is: 2.27 - should be: >2.29). With libc being an integral component of linux I can't just force upgrade to a newer version, unless I really want to completely trash my system.

Since I'm very happy with my current setup I'm not planning to upgrade to a newer linux until mid next year, and if I can't get the game to run with this version, well, then it'll sit idle in my library for a bit, not a big deal.

I'm still trying to figure out if it's possible, either with a localized install of libc >2.29 exclusively for Metro to use, or, if possible, just fool the game into assuming that I have the correct version installed, since I don't think Metro actually needs this version to run and it just checks because the binary was built with it.

Not sure if any of this is actually possible, but if anyone has an idea, appreciated :happy:
This topic has an answer marked - jump to answer.
Avehicle7887 18 Apr 2021
It is possible to use a newer libc without upgrading your system, I've been doing so for a few games since I'm still running Debian 9 myself (hello from 2017).

You can try my self-compiled library of GLIBC 2.29 (don't delete the other files in the folder, you might need them too) - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1o1kOPiVazvNxKQ6jaRBc3bVhrxjLhCO2

Try passing the - LD_PRELOAD="/path/to/libc-2.29.so" to force the game to use that instead of the default system one.

If you still get stuck please post the terminal log here :grin:
dpanter 18 Apr 2021
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Update your systems people... seriously. You have no valid reasons for a gaming machine to stay in the past. :neutral:
damarrin 18 Apr 2021
On the one hand I can't disagree, but on the other Mint is supported for 5 years for a reason. Ubuntu 18.04 seems like ancient history, but it's been released just 3 years ago. Win10 will be 6 years old this summer and it runs all the latest games just fine.
Xpander 18 Apr 2021
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Quoting: damarrinOn the one hand I can't disagree, but on the other Mint is supported for 5 years for a reason. Ubuntu 18.04 seems like ancient history, but it's been released just 3 years ago. Win10 will be 6 years old this summer and it runs all the latest games just fine.
It might be supported for 5 years but gaming is moving target on linux. having outdated drivers and other libraries makes it just awful.
Liam Dawe 18 Apr 2021
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Gaming often depends on newer drivers, kernel features and so on. Sticking with a years old LTS just doesn't cut it.
tuxintuxedo 18 Apr 2021
As it was already mentioned, you either use a self compiled library or entirely change your system. Can't do much else.
Lately a similar error occurred in Surviving Mars, with the new update, because people at Paradox used a newer compiler and now it won't work on "old systems", even if they are among the officially supported ones. But this is entirely their fault and hopefully they fix it soon. Your case is most likely not an accident, but deliberate.
damarrin: Win10 is a wrong example, as it is continuously updated with new "packages". If it cannot do that, then some programs already complain that "your Win10 version is too old". So we actually have multiple Win10 operating systems (quite a few at that), not simply a 6 year old one.

Last edited by tuxintuxedo on 18 Apr 2021 at 3:44 pm UTC
Avehicle7887 18 Apr 2021
Quoting: tuxintuxedoLately a similar error occurred in Surviving Mars, with the new update, because people at Paradox used a newer compiler and now it won't work on "old systems", even if they are among the officially supported ones. But this is entirely their fault and hopefully they fix it soon. Your case is most likely not an accident, but deliberate.
Well you peeked my interest, I haven't played the game in a while but merely downloaded the latest GOG installers for offline keeping.

I found the following thread: https://steamcommunity.com/app/464920/discussions/0/3168820451548416725/

Seems like another case of GLIBC. I'll look into it for those that have the issue.

EDIT: Yep, confirmed giving GLIBC error.

EDIT 2: Got it running too.
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In case anyone is running into the issue and wants to give it a shot, download the package I uploaded above for the OP. Run the game with LD_PRELOAD="/path/to/libm.so.6" (as shown in screenshot).

Last edited by Avehicle7887 on 18 Apr 2021 at 6:25 pm UTC
Liam Dawe 18 Apr 2021
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Quoting: damarrinWin10 will be 6 years old this summer and it runs all the latest games just fine.
Windows 10 is now a rolling release, that's constantly updated and you're expected to be up to date on it now too as more and more games look for / only support x version number. Gaming just needs newer packages, which for Linux means more up to date distributions - both for Proton and Native.
Rooster 19 Apr 2021
How is upgrading to newer version on Ubuntu-based distros these days? Last time I did it was from Ubuntu 14.04 to 16.04 and it didn't go well, many programs broken, many just straight up didn't install. That's why I switched to Arch based distros for gaming.
Dysomnia 19 Apr 2021
Quoting: Avehicle7887It is possible to use a newer libc without upgrading your system, I've been doing so for a few games since I'm still running Debian 9 myself (hello from 2017).

You can try my self-compiled library of GLIBC 2.29 (don't delete the other files in the folder, you might need them too) - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1o1kOPiVazvNxKQ6jaRBc3bVhrxjLhCO2

Try passing the - LD_PRELOAD="/path/to/libc-2.29.so" to force the game to use that instead of the default system one.

If you still get stuck please post the terminal log here :grin:
Well that was a lot easier than I expected - I'm still experiencing some instability issues similar to what others have reported, but in general, I can play the game and it's running surprisingly smooth even on high / ultra settings.

Case closed, thanks a lot! :happy:
Redface 20 Apr 2021
Quoting: Liam Dawe
Quoting: damarrinWin10 will be 6 years old this summer and it runs all the latest games just fine.
Windows 10 is now a rolling release, that's constantly updated and you're expected to be up to date on it now too as more and more games look for / only support x version number. Gaming just needs newer packages, which for Linux means more up to date distributions - both for Proton and Native.
Windows 10 is not a rolling distribution like we use rolling in the Linux world. It has half yearly release upgrades, so its more like Ubuntu or Fedora than Arch.

They even used year and month number versioning until recently, with 1909, 2004 (released in May 2020 though) but now its changed to 20H2 and the next will be called 21H1 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_10_version_history
Redface 20 Apr 2021
Quoting: RoosterHow is upgrading to newer version on Ubuntu-based distros these days? Last time I did it was from Ubuntu 14.04 to 16.04 and it didn't go well, many programs broken, many just straight up didn't install. That's why I switched to Arch based distros for gaming.
I have used Ubuntu since the first release and upgraded some systems half yearly, and others every second year and never had one fail so that I had to reinstall.

There have been some problems, but checking on those showed that it either was due to stupid misconfigurations on my part, or PPAs that I have added. And I always was able to get through the upgrade once I found the problem.

It has been years since I ran into any problem due to release upgrades, its about keeping a well maintained system, and knowing which PPAs can cause problems.

Use ppa-purge on the problematic PPAs, or just any if in doubt. This will uninstall packages from the PPA and where available install the versions from the Ubuntu repositories.
Liam Dawe 20 Apr 2021
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Quoting: RedfaceWindows 10 is not a rolling distribution like we use rolling in the Linux world. It has half yearly release upgrades, so its more like Ubuntu or Fedora than Arch.
Ehhh this feels like focusing on tiny details. The point is there's no Windows 11, 12, 13 etc. People are just expected to keep upgrading now.
Rooster 20 Apr 2021
Quoting: Redface
Quoting: RoosterHow is upgrading to newer version on Ubuntu-based distros these days? Last time I did it was from Ubuntu 14.04 to 16.04 and it didn't go well, many programs broken, many just straight up didn't install. That's why I switched to Arch based distros for gaming.
I have used Ubuntu since the first release and upgraded some systems half yearly, and others every second year and never had one fail so that I had to reinstall.

There have been some problems, but checking on those showed that it either was due to stupid misconfigurations on my part, or PPAs that I have added. And I always was able to get through the upgrade once I found the problem.

It has been years since I ran into any problem due to release upgrades, its about keeping a well maintained system, and knowing which PPAs can cause problems.

Use ppa-purge on the problematic PPAs, or just any if in doubt. This will uninstall packages from the PPA and where available install the versions from the Ubuntu repositories.
Thanks, that could have been it. I was very new to Linux at that point so it wouldn't surprise me if my PPAs were a mess.
dpanter 21 Apr 2021
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For those who get instant crashing, Metro Exodus runs for me (Debian sid/AMDGPU Mesa RADV/6900XT) when using the Soldier SLR instead of Scout SLR. Find the correct path on your system for the run-in-soldier script and edit this example path accordingly. Good luck!

........../SteamLibrary/steamapps/common/SteamLinuxRuntime_soldier/run-in-soldier %command%
Mannyrue 21 Apr 2021
Not sure what kernals you are using, But I use Popos, And have Xanmod as my kernals so my drives are often updated!
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