Valve releases Proton 8.0 update with Steam Deck and Linux gaming improvements

Proton 8.0 is out now, bringing with it a slew of improvements for Linux gaming, including for Steam OS.

For those unfamiliar, Proton is the compatibility layer tool (note: not an emulator) used by Steam OS to run Windows games, similarly to Wine on other Linux distros like Ubuntu.

Aside from a ton of bug fixes, Proton 8.0 introduces a long list of newly compatible games for Steam OS, including some heavy hitters like Dead Space Remake, Forspoken and Nioh 2. See the complete list of newly playable titles below.

• Forspoken
• Samurai Maiden
• Dead Space (2023)
• Creativerse
• Nioh 2 – The Complete Edition
• One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4
• Atelier Meruru
• Atelier Lydie & Suelle: The Alchemists and the Mysterious Paintings
• Atelier Sophie: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Book DX
• Blue Reflection
• Atelier Rorona: The Alchemist of Arland
• Disney Dreamlight Valley
• Romance of the Three Kingdoms XIV
• ToGather:Island
• Warriors Orochi 3 Ultimate Definitive Edition
• Exceed – Gun Bullet Children
• Gungrave G.O.R.E.
• Chex Quest HD

Proton 8.0 is now available with many changes. Our biggest rebase to date! Note: it requires a GPU with Vulkan 1.3 support. Experimental-8.0 will follow sometime this week. pic.twitter.com/wzGClZyIGE

— Pierre-Loup Griffais (@Plagman2) April 17, 2023

This along with last week’s news that Microsoft may be planning a Windows 11 handheld mode for devices like the Steam Deck, mean that it’s an exciting time to be a Steam Deck owner.

As for the requirements for Proton 8.0, gamers will need a GPU with Vulkan 1.3 support. Proton Experimental will also see an update later this week. View the full Proton 8.0 patch notes here.

Via Steam Deck HQ.

Featured image via Rockpapershotgun.