Golfing In Aether - Native Linux Support Open Beta

Today Im happy to announce open beta support for running Golfing in Aether natively in Linux, and that includes SteamOS. Before this becomes official with support indicated on the Store Page, I do wish to collect feedback and fix any reported problems should they arise. For me personally Ive found the game to be running seamless at this point.

FAQ

How do I get access to the Linux version?

Just launch Golfing in Aether from your favourite Linux distro you normally use with Steam games and you'll get the native Linux version when you install the game. This is a free update and you'll automatically have access.

Cross Platform Multiplayer?

Yes, the game is functionally identical to the Windows version. You can also play in both Vulkan and Vulkan Mobile (ES 3.1) graphics modes on Linux and they all work together in multiplayer.

Steam Deck Support?

At this stage the game should in theory be playable, however Ive not tested it personally as I dont have access to one. Please let me know how you get on if you do have one to hand as Ill certainly fix any reported issues. For reference, Golfing in Aether has full controller support, including on-screen keyboard for any text input built in. It was designed around being played on a TV for local play with a controller from the very get go, so there should be nothing here that conflicts with playing on the Steam Deck in general. If there are any problems then this should be very minor and easy to fix, so do let me know :) My testing is done on an Asrock DeskMini with a Ryzen 3200G APU running SteamOS via holo ISO. Id like to have access to a Steam Deck in the future but its just currently not in my budget.

Will this effect Windows development?

In short, no, not at all. The game is cross compiled meaning both platforms are done at the same time, from a single device using the same game code and assets. Linux has been in internal testing since very early in development so there are no specific workflow changes to how I've been doing things all along.

How long will the open beta last?

Maybe a week or so, it will depend if any issues are found. If it all looks good then I'll then list support for Linux on the store page. If you try it and encounter no issues at all that would be as useful to know as reporting any issues. https://store.steampowered.com/app/1914980/Golfing_In_Aether/

Known Issues

Currently no initial benchmark to set graphics quality on first launch. I found this to crash so have disabled it currently.
Intro video logos are replaced with fading images like running in the ES 3.1 mode. This is to do with engine / plugin issues, but not a particularly important issue overall.
Running under SteamOS Steam wanted to force steam input enabled which would cause duplicate controllers to be detected. Disable steam input for the game as Golfing in Aether has its own input system built in.
Having no audio in the system causes the game to take a long time to load up while it keeps trying to find an audio device. Whether this is an issue with the engine or the distro I tried it on I don't know at this point, simply having any audio device in the system or connected bypasses this issue.

Discord Server

Be sure to check out the official discord server with channels for Golfing In Aether and my other various projects.

[ 2022-10-09 06:27:56 CET ] [ Original post ]

Golfing In Aether
Vetron

Developer

Vetron

Publisher

2022-09-23

Release

Indie Simulation Sports Racing Singleplayer Multiplayer

Tags

Game News Posts 82
🎹🖱️Keyboard + Mouse
🎮 Full Controller Support

Controls

Positive

(11 reviews)

Review Score

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1914980

Steam Store

DunGen VR Depot [902.67 M]

Public Linux depots

Game is not tagged as available on Linux on Steam.

Linux is not in the OS list.

Unique overall course layout for each session. Golfing In Aether accomplishes this through having each of the holes being its own independent floating island. The game will choose these at random from a pool at the start of a session and procedurally create the overall course layout.
Get-together with friends in sessions supporting up to 16 players online and 4 players locally. You can take any additional local players into online sessions with you. Online sessions also support joining as a spectator.
Freedom to choose different modes such as playing together in real time (local players use split screen) or taking it in turns via hotseat.
Compete against ghosts in practice mode for the top spot in an individual level with both global and friends only leaderboards.
Replay your previous sessions via the session replays feature. This allows you to spectate previous sessions you've played with options such as being able to see from another players perspective, use free camera, and the ability manipulate playback rate.
Customize through a range of color-pickable designs for your golf ball. Five designs are available from the start with others being unlocked as you earn XP through playing and level up.
Accessible with full gamepad support through the inclusion of an on-screen keyboard and ability to create local player profiles for saving any customizations, player names or gamepad settings.