Proton (software)

Last updated

Proton
Developer(s) Valve
CodeWeavers
Initial release21 August 2018;6 years ago (21 August 2018)
Stable release
9.0-4 / 11 December 2024;46 days ago (11 December 2024)
Repository Proton on GitHub
Operating system Linux
Available inEnglish
Type Compatibility layer
License

Proton is a compatibility layer that allows Windows games to run on Linux-based operating systems. [1] Proton is developed by Valve in cooperation with developers from CodeWeavers. [2] It is a collection of software and libraries combined with a patched version of Wine to improve performance and compatibility with Windows games. Proton is designed for integration into the Steam client as "Steam Play". [3] It is officially distributed through the client, although third-party forks can be manually installed.

Contents

Overview

Proton was initially released on 21 August 2018. [4] Upon release, Valve announced a list of 27 games that were tested and certified to perform like their native Windows counterparts without requiring end-user tweaking. These include Doom (2016), Quake , and Final Fantasy VI . [3] [4] [5] [ self-published source ]

Proton incorporates several libraries that improve 3D performance. These include Direct3D-to-Vulkan translation layers, namely DXVK for Direct3D 9, 10 and 11, and VKD3D-Proton for Direct3D 12. A separate library known as D9VK handled Direct3D 9 support until it was merged into DXVK in December 2019. [6]

Compatibility

Being a fork of Wine, Proton maintains very similar compatibility with Windows applications as its upstream counterpart. In addition to the official list of compatible games, many other Windows games are compatible, [7] albeit unofficially, with Proton. The user can optionally force use of Proton for a specific game, even if a Linux version already exists. [8] This may be done when a game's native Linux support is lacking or possibly not stable.

ProtonDB

ProtonDB is an unofficial community website that collects and displays crowdsourced data describing the compatibility of a given title with Proton, on a rating scale from "Borked" (doesn't work) to "Platinum" (works perfectly). [9] [10] The site is inspired by the WineHQ AppDB, which also collects and displays crowdsourced compatibility reports and uses a similar rating system.

Release history

Valve has released nine [11] major versions of Proton. The versioning scheme refers to the upstream Wine version it's based on, with an appended patch number. [1]

Proton generally lags behind its upstream Wine base by several releases. Unofficial forks, such as Proton GE, [12] have been created to rebase Proton on recent Wine versions, which may improve or worsen compatibility with games compared to the official release. [13]

In December 2020, Valve released Proton Experimental, a perpetual beta branch of Proton that incorporates new features and bug fixes quicker than regular releases, [14] which are eventually included in a regular release. [15]

The Steam Deck uses Proton to increase software title compatibility. [16]

Proton 3.7 (August 2018):

First official release of Proton. Supported 27 games, including DOOM (2016), Quake, and Final Fantasy VI. Integrated DXVK for Direct3D 10/11 implementation via Vulkan.

Proton 4.2 (April 2019):

Updated to a newer version of Wine, improving compatibility and performance. Enhanced support for fullscreen mode and controllers.

Proton 5.0 (February 2020):

Based on Wine 5.0, bringing major improvements to game compatibility. Improved support for games with anti-cheat systems.

Proton 5.13 (October 2020):

Introduced compatibility for more games and improved support for existing titles. Enhanced media playback and networking features.

Proton 6.3 (April 2021):

Based on Wine 6.0 with additional patches. Improved Direct3D 12 support via VKD3D-Proton. Better game performance and compatibility.

Proton 7.0 (February 2022):

Built on Wine 7.0. Significant improvements to game compatibility and new features.

Proton 8.0 (April 2023):

Continued enhancements to game compatibility and performance. Updated DXVK and VKD3D-Proton for improved graphics support.

Proton 9.0 (October 2024):

Latest major release focusing on stability and compatibility. Improved support for newer games and technologies.

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 "ValveSoftware/Proton". GitHub . Retrieved March 3, 2022.
  2. ↑ "CodeWeavers' Proton Software Sauce Powers Steam Deck". CodeWeavers (Press release). February 25, 2022. Retrieved March 3, 2022.
  3. 1 2 "Steam for Linux :: Introducing a new version of Steam Play". Steam Community. August 21, 2018. Retrieved August 12, 2019.
  4. 1 2 Dawe, Liam (August 21, 2018). "Valve officially confirm a new version of 'Steam Play' which includes a modified version of Wine". GamingOnLinux.
  5. ↑ Dingman, Hayden (August 21, 2018). "Steam adds Proton, making Windows games playable on Linux (at least in theory)". PCWorld. Retrieved August 12, 2019.
  6. ↑ "doitsujin/dxvk". GitHub . Retrieved April 17, 2020.
  7. ↑ Dawe, Liam (July 1, 2019). "A look over the ProtonDB reports for June 2019, over 5.5K games reported to work with Steam Play". GamingOnLinux. Retrieved November 4, 2019.
  8. ↑ "Steam Client Beta". Steam Community. January 17, 2019. Retrieved July 27, 2020.
  9. ↑ "Steam Proton has opened the gaming floodgates for Linux users". SlashGear. April 22, 2020. Retrieved July 27, 2020.
  10. ↑ Dawe, Liam (August 5, 2019). "A look at how Steam Play is doing, based on the ProtonDB reports from July". GamingOnLinux. Retrieved July 27, 2020.
  11. ↑ "Release Proton 9.0-2 · ValveSoftware/Proton". GitHub. Retrieved August 14, 2024.
  12. ↑ Dawe, Liam (September 2, 2019). "Want a more up to date Proton for Steam Play? Proton GE has a big new release out". GamingOnLinux. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
  13. ↑ "Releases · GloriousEggroll/proton-ge-custom". GitHub. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
  14. ↑ Dawe, Liam (December 15, 2020). "Valve continues tweaking the new 'Proton Experimental' for Cyberpunk 2077". GamingOnLinux. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
  15. ↑ Dawe, Liam (January 15, 2021). "Proton 5.13-5 is now up bringing in some of the experimental changes". GamingOnLinux. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
  16. ↑ Duckett, Chris (July 16, 2021). "Steam Deck is an AMD-powered handheld PC from Valve that runs KDE on Arch Linux". ZDNet . Retrieved July 16, 2021.
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