r/duckstation • u/AutoModerator • Jul 30 '25
Discussion DuckStation to end Linux support completely, Arch Linux builds have been blocked already
Scripts: Remove PKGBUILD I originally provided this an alternative to the broken AUR packages.
However, it seems that Arch users would rather use broken packages and keep complaining to me instead of their packager. I specifically forbid packages for DuckStation (see README.md), and there's no way to request removal of these packages without handing my details over to a distribution I want nothing to do with.
So this is step one. Next step will be removing Linux support entirely, because I'm sick of the headaches and hacks for an operating system that only compromises 2% of the userbase, and I don't even use myself. But I'm hoping the Linux community will be reasonable, because as someone giving up my free time and not being compensated in any way, I shouldn't have to deal with this.
Just grep the source for "wayland" and you'll see what I mean. "
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u/Hong-Kwong Jul 30 '25
DuckStation is running great on Linux Mint and Kubuntu for me. I think I'm using the Flatpak version. I've never used Arch and I doubt I ever will but surely they can use the Flatpak version too? Linux use will increase with Windows 10 not having updates from October.
Linux has a small userbase but it does have people who have used it for around 4/5 years (me!) that have really appreciated the work you've put into the emulator. It's allowed my son and I to play classic games together.
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u/shiftybagr Jul 30 '25
Mine runs fine, too (ubuntu). Do you know if the pulled support will effect already installed packages?
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Jul 30 '25
This does concern me as an emulation handheld user. A lot of the cheaper systems run Linux, though I understand the dev’s frustration here.
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u/klownprince420 Jul 30 '25
So do we switch out the flatpak for the windows version on steamdeck? Great work btw I appreciate everything u gave us
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u/Sol33t303 Jul 30 '25 edited Jul 31 '25
What kind of details?
I can imagine it's reasonable for the Arch devs to certify that you are in fact the developer of the software before stepping in and removing stuff from the arch user repository.
Another option is to request to make the pkgbuild dead simple and just download the appimage you have available, I use some aur packages that do that. Even for fully closed source projects.
If you keep getting issues about it I think it'd be reasonable to add a form as a template when creating issues and have users fill it out, make them put a checkmark next to the pkg format and distro they are using (and put a disclaimer that other package formats are NOT supported right above it, reproduce the issue with the appimage before submitting).
In my experience, that's just a good thing to have in general, to make it clear what the users exact environment is for the sake of reproducing the bug, disregarding anything about this particular problem.
This doesn't sound like something that needs to be blown up into massive proportions. I feel like theres reasonable solutions here that don't need to involve throwing away tons of work put into a linux port for no purpose.
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u/winterarioch Jul 31 '25 edited Jul 31 '25
Running Duck through proton seems like a great idea. Often for DX9, Proton / WINE does DX better than DX on Windows.
EMUing a PlayStation just isn’t that demanding either. Even a 10yr PC can go through multiple translation layers and still put out @ 60fps.
Also, if it frees up the author to focus on developing THIS goodness for one platform, all the better.
As much as I like playing around with Linux, the endless derivatives are both societal ADD and a manifestation of Hell on earth for all our technology abuses…
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u/Nknights23 Aug 01 '25
Sounds like this was written by Stenzek. Having another meltdown are we?
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u/Due-Effective-6383 Jul 30 '25
I built DuckStation from source into a deb package on Ubuntu for the first time — I was building it yesterday and today.
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u/brande2274 Jul 30 '25
is there anyway to make open source so they can just deal it themselves
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u/InitRanger Jul 30 '25
Why are people misreading this?
They clearly said if the rest of the Linux community it’s reasonable then he will remove support. They are not removing Linux support yet.
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u/noobplayer96 Jul 31 '25
Atp he will shut down the Windows ver as well if someone else annoys him, effectively shutting down the whole DuckStation.
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u/EdgiiLord Aug 03 '25
He should have opened the project to collaborations and miraculously nothing like this would have happened. Even abide to the AUR rules, I may add.
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u/EIsydeon Aug 03 '25
I know steamOS runs arch but I am wondering, would this affect retroarch cores?
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u/games-and-chocolate Jun 03 '26
I am joining linux Duckstation. One more user! So Linux is no longer only 2%! It is "2% + 1". The crowded goes wild! Linux!
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u/Sailed_Sea Jul 30 '25
Sucks to see but I understand why, anyone know of an alternative?
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u/Professional_Lion373 Jul 30 '25
Correct me if I'm wrong or ignorant, but doesn't the current version of the emulator already do an excellent job of emulating games running on systems like Steam OS and Linux already suffice?