Hytale, the long-in-development voxel sandbox RPG, is set to enter early access on Tuesday, January 13—and it’s arriving with a notable PC-friendly bonus: a native Linux build.
### Linux Version Arrives, But It’s “Experimental”
The news was shared by Hypixel co-founder and technical director Kevin Carstens, who described the Linux release as an experimental effort. In practical terms, that means Linux players should expect the usual growing pains that can come with supporting multiple distributions—bugs that show up on one setup but not another, or issues tied to specific drivers and configurations.
### Steam Deck: It Runs, But Don’t Treat It As Supported
Because the Steam Deck runs Linux-based SteamOS, it might sound like an instant win for handheld players. However, Carstens cautioned that the Deck isn’t “officially recommended” at launch. Limited testing on a docked Steam Deck—paired with mouse and keyboard—suggests local single-player can work, but the lack of controller support makes it a tough sell for a device built around gamepad controls.
### Context: A Comeback Story Before Launch
Hytale’s early access debut lands after a turbulent period for the project, which recently went through a high-profile cancellation and subsequent revival after the original developers regained control. That whiplash has made every concrete launch detail feel especially important, and platform support is one of the clearest signals yet that the team is ready to ship—and iterate publicly.
### Why This Matters
Native Linux support at early access is still rare for major PC releases, and it’s likely to earn Hytale goodwill with players who prefer open platforms—or who want alternatives to Windows. The Steam Deck caveat is equally telling: handheld PC gaming continues to grow, but developers still need to design with controller-first play in mind if they want “verified” status to translate into real adoption.
Source: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/hytale-will-launch-with-native-linux-support-though-the-steam-deck-is-not-officially-recommended |