XCOM doesn't use DX11 features on Windows, the game uses DX9 on Windows and we match the graphics exactly on our Mac and Linux versions. Mac and Linux don't have hardware support for PhysX (software only) but that does not effect the visuals of the game.

Thank you for the response! I was genuinely curious, and now I know :)

That said there is a big difference between the drivers saying something is supported and it being usable and bug free when used in a game. I guess we will find out when we get to the first DX11 based Linux port

I look forward to that! Anything you'll be porting to Linux in the future, I will very likely be buying. No regrets here with XCOM :D

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I think it was fairly obvious that I was going to praise this port to high heavens. Feral's port is simply awesome.

I have to agree here. 7 hours of gameplay without me even realising so far, it's that good. My only question is why they only port it up to DirectX9 functionality (Aspyr did the same).

• Is it currently not possible to fully implement DX11 features in OpenGL smoothly?


• Or are we restricted to what Mac gamers are stuck at with their OpenGL implemention?


• or are the DX11 features in Xcom and Civ5 so little they are unnoticeable?

EDIT: Feral have answered! Link :D

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Goat/Goat would Goat again.

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Coolio, I was just refitting my machine for a triple boot (Win 7, Ubuntu 14.04 and SteamOS). Now to reinstall SteamOS and see if that works out well or not (it definitely works in dual boot). Glad they finally included the new AMD drivers, I hope it works out alright for me. I fear the day my 5750 is dropped from official Linux support is soon...

EDIT: Triple booting works!
http://i.imgur.com/AwUit0P.jpg [External Link]
http://i.imgur.com/0mGHyev.jpg [External Link]

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Quoting: OrkultusCant get that game to work worth a damn on my system. No idea why. My system can run just about anything else amazingly.

Does it seg fault?

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Quoting: HyeronWe're not exactly the largest population around on Steam, so every sale identified as GNU/Linux counts. :)

Indeed, I'm really glad we have two new porting houses in the picture (Aspyr and Feral). I hope they continue to do Linux ports, my money will keep going to them as much as I can give :)

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Quoting: HyeronYup. Plus, we couldn't even take advantage of the flash sale, as I don't think it would have shown we exist. Gah.

I'm curious, what do you mean? Is it that everyone would rush onto it regardless of platform, that we (Linux) would be miniscule in number?

Or that it wouldn't register purchases done for that platform, and would just count it as an ambigous sale?

I have a whole different reason to enjoy the summer sales this time around. So many Linux titles on sale, with additions of new triple A titles! :D

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You raise a good question loggfreak. I've hypothesized that it could be:

1. Future proof the system. A normal user can learn to unplug and plug in a GPU. Not so with a CPU (different pin positions for different generations, different CPU heatsink designs, application of thermal paste and determining if the motherboard will support newer CPUs are all enthusiast level knowledge)

2. Intel's shady business behind the scenes. They have a stronghold on certain vendors, and force them to sell their higher end CPUs regardless.

3. The average computer user is more likely to think a computer is "powerful" if it has more core numbers and a higher clock speed, rather than knowing the difference between GPUs.

4. The future is multi-threaded application and game development.

These are just my guesses, and like you, I truly wonder why they pair them so oddly. These types of things are always fun to learn about when the industry lets everyone in on it.

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Asus! Finally a brand I can trust. These guys are solid when it comes to good hardware components and engineering. Everything I can get from Asus, I get from Asus (motherboards, GPUs, sound cards, routers etc).

Best of all, most of their stuff works right off the bat with Linux. Heck, I have Ubuntu 14.04 installed and running without a hitch on an Asus G750JX which is a top of the line ROG gaming laptop!

P.S: Even had a motherboard shorted by a thunderstorm. A quick follow of their manual, and the board was up and running again within the hour. It's been almost 3 years since then, still running!

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That was a pretty nice read. It seems like their ambitions with the game are quite huge, I look forward to the final accumulation of all their efforts :)

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