Unity has announced at the GDC that it will integrate official support for Valve's platform. The engine will feature native tools for publishing games on Steam, Steam Deck, and Steam Machine, a process that developers previously had to manage on their own. Additionally, specific improvements will be introduced to the Linux runtime. 🎮
An optimized Linux runtime and decoupling from Proton 🐧
The update promises superior native performance on Linux systems, which would reduce reliance on the Proton compatibility layer for running games designed for Windows. This means developers will be able to compile and optimize their projects directly for the operating system, better leveraging the hardware and offering a more stable experience on devices like Steam Deck.
Farewell to Proton configuration rituals ⚙️
This could mark the end of an era for that unofficial Linux gamers' pastime: spending more time tweaking protondb and launch options lines than playing. The promise of native support suggests that, finally, clicking play might be the only step needed. A radical idea.