Baldur's Gate 3 now has a native Linux build

So I had a weird experience with this. Fedora KDE on my desktop PC and after the update the game ran terribly for me, like even the intro logo animations were chugging Looked at the game files and it had been updated to the Linux version, but I thought the Linux build was just meant for Steam Deck? Changing the compatibility settings to use proton instead fixed it straight away and had the game running fine again

Was already working fine through proton, but this is great to see as well!

Did some testing on this on Linux, Arch + KDE 6 (wayland) + Nvidia GPU. It looks like DLSS works on Nvidia hardware. I didn't do formal benchmarks, but I didnt notice performance improvement. On my laptop it actually used roughly 10% more watts on the GPU while capped at 60fps. I don't think I could tell the difference on a blind test. So I'll use it anyway to do my part for hardware surveys.

Although this was Act 1, perhaps Act 3 will tell a different story.

The Steam Deck also means they can assume AMD hardware, so even if you don't see the benefits, they might be there for someone else.

Did they fix the problem where for some reason, on steam deck you can't do local multiplayer? You need to provide a command line argument to turn on local multiplayer and I can't begin to comprehend why they did this.

Because the game barely runs single player on Steam Deck, and they'd rather not handle a bunch of support tickets for people wondering why the game chugs when trying to make a low end system handle a lot more processing load.
- Same reason they disabled local multiplayer for the Xbox Series S

Okay now I'm buying

Oh nice I'll cop it on Steam Deck for the holidays.

I'm confused. It's a Linux native build, but they call it steam deck native. Does this mean it's not optimized for Nvidia since steam deck is AMD hardware? I'm fairly new to Linux, so the wording is throwing me off.

You have to dig a few layers deep, but it appears that they uploaded a Linux build that only downloads for Steam Decks, and they don't seem to fully support non-Steam Deck. I haven't verified a way to get around this, but often, where there's a will, there's a way. You might be able to force the game to download the Linux version from the Compatibility settings in Steam. At least at this point in time, Larian only seems interested in the Linux build for Steam Deck in particular, which I've never seen before.
- I actually gave it a try by just disabling the forced compatability and then using __GL_13ebad=0x1 %command% in the launch options. it works with dlss. only issue for me are the frame drops that pretty much make it unplayable. i saw a post somewhere, someone was saying more power was going to their gpu on the native build. i think that's what's happening to me and its causing some throttling. on proton with vulkan, the game runs fine for the most part.
- Wait, I played bg3 on my steam deck over a year ago and it ran just fine. So what’s the difference here? Is this new thing specifically made to run on the steam deck whereas before I was just lucky that bg3 ran on the steam deck?

This is huge. I was beginning to lose hope we'd ever see a big budget high-profile non-indie get a Linux port ever again.

Edit: Maybe not that huge...

Now that there is a Steam Deck Native build, is Baldur’s Gate 3 supported on Linux?
Larian does not provide support for the Linux platform. The Steam Deck Native build is only supported on Steam Deck.

I think this is perfectly fine. I dont think we should really be expecting them to provide support for the entirety of the linux platform when there is so much variation between installs. If its working on steam deck, it'll work on linux generally.
I would be a little bit surprised if it doesn't also work on Linux desktop. They're probably just saying "don't ask us to fix it if it breaks, we never said it would work"
Still lame
- The Steam Deck comes in essentially one hardware configuration with one operating system complying to one set of standards. Linux users have a higher-than-average tendency to do weird, nonstandard shit on their computers and then complain when it breaks something. On Windows, Steam OS, and Mac, if you test it on maybe 5 different configurations, you're done. With Linux, you have to test at least four different distros (Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, Arch), two different packaging formats for Steam (Flatpak, native package), and two windowing systems (X.org, Wayland). Plus the proprietary NVIDIA drivers along with open-source drivers. That's already 32 combinations for 2% market share.
- Nope. If you pick the Linux version on a desktop Linux it doesn't even have a binary, so the game can't launch. On normal Linux you have to pick the Proton version. The Linux binary only downloads on Steam Deck.
- They're probably just saying "don't ask us
  And people will ask, and will leave negative reviews when the game doesn't work on their heavily customised setup. They are probably already writing negative reviews, just look at the comments under the OP.
That is to be expected. Which Linux should they support? Steam Deck is ok, it's stable, new and popular. Arch? No way. Ubuntu? Yeah, no. Any other "gaming distro" some dudes built? Who would want to support that?
So what is Linux you want companies to support?
I use Arch btw.
- You don't have to support any specific Linux, valve provides all the necessary runtimes
  https://gitlab.steamos.cloud/steamrt/steamrt/-/blob/steamrt/scout/README.md
- But isn't the steam deck Arch as well? So I wonder if there's still a difference where they support just the deck specific specs...
  But if it's a Linux native build, and the deck is arch, it would stand to reason that you could at least get the build on arch. Maybe they're doing a check against the uname or something to verify what you're running.
- Support doesn't have to be based on a specific distro. It isn't for any of the other ports that support us.
I know native ports are important to some folks, and I know you're one of them, but would you mind explaining why? Maybe you've done so in the past and I didn't internalize it.
Larian's own reasoning here appears to be squeezing it for more performance, and with Linux users now accounting for 6% of English-language players, I suspect more companies will find this to be worth the effort as that percentage rises and Windows becomes more of a pain in the ass.
EDIT: reworded statistic for accuracy
- Proton still perpetuates Microsoft’s monopoly on graphics APIs etc.
- The way I see it, native support means our platform is actually being supported.
  Though it seems I may have celebrated too soon here...
  Now that there is a Steam Deck Native build, is Baldur’s Gate 3 supported on Linux?
  Larian does not provide support for the Linux platform. The Steam Deck Native build is only supported on Steam Deck.
- For me, it shows that they actually care to support Linux. It doesn't really materially change anything, but to does show a sign that they're putting real effort in to support the growing Linux population, rather than just ignoring it and hoping Proton handles it.
- does this mean it will perform better on the steamdeck?
Larian should really support a native Linux build. Period, the end.
- For what version of glibc?

Ooh, I think it's time for me to finally buy this game, hopefully in a way that signals my support for this action.

It blows my mind that I haven't played BG3, btw. The original saga of 1 + 2 + expansions is S-tier nostalgia deep in my heart right along with the other big PC and console RPGs of the 90s. i've just been in one of those phases of life where I am focused on other things and not playing many games at all unless my family gets me to jump into something light and co-op.

And when I say focused, on a scale from 1 to 10 I'm talking ADHD hyperfocus.

Just to let you know, BG3 plays completely different than the original saga. It sounds obvious as I type this but BG3 really doesn’t compare. The tone and humor just isn’t the same. Really the only thing that connects to it are certain characters and map names. I would honestly just consider BG3 a really good spin-off game rather than considering it a mainline Baldurs Gate game. Hopefully you aren’t too disappointed, it’s still a very good game. I just have a hard time including it in the Baldurs Gate saga.
- I appreciate the opinion!
  I pretty much know that stuff, and it's probably another small reason I haven't played it yet. But also knowing that, I wouldn't expect the turn based CRPG feel or anything like.
  Well and also, BG1 EE and BG2 EE work great for me in Linux (I think they have native versions so no surprise) so I can get a shot of the real shit whenever I want, lol.
  Having a couch PC with its own monitor(s) able to swing in and out of the way without taking over the TV is a game changer. I can play BG while hanging out with my family and pause it at any time.
You should!
Not sure about your family's ages, but it's not that NSFW and so pretty/cinematic your family could watch it like a TV drama. Or play coop with you (as it is coop).
Also, it really does live up to all the hype. I never played 1-2, heck I don't even like turn-based games and prefer scifi over D&D fantasy, and BG3 blew my mind.
- Oh there's DEFINITELY some NSFW parts that show A LOT, . but the game definitely lets you know when they're about to happen/ have to look for it

It’s been playing great on mint for awhile now.

Wasn't expecting a high profile game to get a native Linux build, especially so much time after release, but I'm glad to see it!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Stadia_games
Of course, Stadia builds were not released to the public.

It would be awesome if they released it on GOG too

Woul be nice if GoG had a linux client
- They promised one years ago, definitely coming soon
- They should sponsor HGL. No need to reinvent the wheel, and the project could always use the money and fame.
- Heroic Launcher fulfils the basics for it.
It's hot enough off the presses that the Steam store page doesn't even know about it yet, so it's possible it propagates to GOG, too.
- The official post on the website says that there’s currently no support for other native Linux platforms besides steam deck, so maybe a bit further down the road with the next patch.

Hell yeah... Zero regrets paying full price for this game.

This is technically true, but they specifically state that they don't support Linux in their faq.
This is "just" a SteamDeck build.

(I actually tried to run it on debian, but it didn't want to start. That said, I invested 0 time, maybe it was just a minor thing. no idea)

I actually tried to run it on debian, but it didn't want to start.
SteamOS is Arch based, Debian is well Debian based. Makes sense for it not to work, shame nonetheless.
- Steam packages its own Linux runtimes and seldom uses system dependencies. Maybe SteamOS has a different runtime for Steam Deck though.

does it break mods or not work with mods for the windows version?

I assume that would depend on the mod. Some depend on custom DLLs, those will only work on Windows. The ones that you just droo into the Mods folder will probably work.

Not yet in GOG, though.

Don't remember if it was the same on Windows (before I permanently switched) but hopefully this will keep my GPU from running full throttle from the second I click the launcher until it's closed.

Yeah. I've got MangoHud throttling it down to 36 fps for that reason - if it tries to run 4K @ 144 fps then my graphics card sounds like a Spitfire getting ready for launch. It's not a game that needs twitch response for any reason, so it's not harmed by that.
It's an amazing game but the graphics are a small part of that, which makes the fact it runs inexplicably badly a bit of a mystery. Complicated lighting and long view distances in the underdark? No probs. Just a row of houses in act 3? Enjoy your stutters and framerate dips.

So anyone know if this'll sync save files between Linux and windows builds?

There's no reason it shouldn't, but otherwise it would pawbably work with a Larian account as that does cross-saves between console and PC.
- Ah ok that makes sense, I totally forgot about the Larian account. Thank you!
Steam should do this automatically

Hells yeah!

Wait does it have the same memory-leak windows version had I might consider if my game doesnt slow down to oblivion after 2 hours.

Super awesome. When I am ready for another play through I'll give it a go.

Now it’s on the wishlist!

Game deserved to be bought at full price

That's nice, now please add FSR 3 and XeSS 2

OptiScaler works just fine with BG3 fwiw, so you can get either that way.
- I know, but official support would be so much more convenient. No idea why I get downvoted, I thinks it's a fair request considering how well the game sold
- That is cool, I’m going to use this

Oh I love Steam. I wanted to keep the Windows version around so I could benchmark it later. I renamed the Baldurs Gate 3 folder to something else so Steam wouldn't remove it when I uninstalled the game from inside Steam. Then I uninstalled it.

I hit the install button for Baldurs Gate 3... and it immediately shows the game as fully installed with no downloading? Of course, when I launch it, it shows an error because the files don't exist. Steam has no reason to believe they should exist because I told Steam to uninstall the game. I don't see how me renaming the folder should have caused that issue either.

To be fair, what you tried to do is a pretty strange use case.
Verify the game data, it will re-download the game files. You can't really blame steam when you are changing files out side steams knowledge.
- I uninstalled the game from within Steam. At that point it should know that the game was no longer installed because (1) I told Steam to uninstall it and (2) the Baldurs Gate 3 folder was gone.
I’ll never understand people who do nonsense like this.
Tell steam to verify the files. That should make it realize they're missing.