How to get rid of enforced runtimes?

[Alex]

Apparently, the newest steam client update made the "steam linux runtimes v.1 and v.2" mandatory for use with any linux-native games, even those which didn't require such runtimes before. It seems like a general dependency, since it is now impossible to remove the runtimes as long as at least a single (linux-native) game remains installed.

Therefore, two things:

1. A request to the dev team, can you please not emulate flatpak behavior, and do not enforce any unneccesary, redundant packages to be installed?

2. A question to the forum, is there perhaps a way to disable this dependency, and remove the runtime deadweight?

[ReBoot]

https://steamcommunity.com/app/221410/discussions/0/4630357120384050272/?tscn=1730992954#c4630357120384063228

[Alex]

The game where I noticed it first is abandoned, so there's nobody to change anything. And since other games require it as well, it seems like a general requirement. Which I'd like to circumvent, since it worked without such BS before. Just yesterday, in fact.

[grzegorz77]

All in all, this is a step forward.

Instead of keeping copies of the same libraries in every game like a flatpak.
Now game developers are to use the libraries provided by Steam, one for all games.

It seems to me that this is a very good move.
But if you're actually only using one game, there might be downsides to that.


If you have agreed to use steam game rental. And not to buy a physical copy, I guess you have no choice. I don't have one either, if it comforts you. :|

[[GNU] Debian ☭]

Dude, those "runtimes" (soldier/sniper) are used BOTH for native & proton... Why? So Valve can keep a more stable & controlled environment, doesn't needing to rely on specific distro and/or specifics libraries/softwares, that can have different versions/compilation flags/etc... It is all to guarantee a more stable & easier to debug environment across all distros. All fine with that! <3

Not all Linux/Steam deck users are "pro" ones, that can manage too specific workarounds! I have no problem having my life made easier, when it is done by competent people! That's why I don't need to compile a kernel anymore, nor firefox, each weekend, for a long time!

Those readme you linked explain it for you! <3


PS: PLEASE, unless you're a billionaire, an "as famous as Taylor Swift" celebrity, or a criminal, or all of that, don't need to be paranoid about your data!

People don't need to "invade" your device to steal half a dozen account logins, when they can do that on a server, and steal a dozen hundred thousand...

PPS: soldier/sniper are what, 1GB each (size on disk)? If you remove 2 older kernels on your installation, you'll have room for that... Or a few of those billions of bloatwares lots of Linux's distros have, like Mint...

[Pepe]

Soldier is credit to team.

[Alex]

Originally posted by grzegorz77:

All in all, this is a step forward.

Instead of keeping copies of the same libraries in every game like a flatpak.
Now game developers are to use the libraries provided by Steam, one for all games.

It seems to me that this is a very good move.
But if you're actually only using one game, there might be downsides to that.


If you have agreed to use steam game rental. And not to buy a physical copy, I guess you have no choice. I don't have one either, if it comforts you. :|

For future games, perhaps yes. But why is it enforced right now, for every game in general, even those which ran just fine without it?

Originally posted by GNU Debian ☭:

PS: PLEASE, unless you're a billionaire, an "as famous as Taylor Swift" celebrity, or a criminal, or all of that, don't need to be paranoid about your data!

People don't need to "invade" your device to steal half a dozen account logins, when they can do that on a server, and steal a dozen hundred thousand...

PPS: soldier/sniper are what, 1GB each (size on disk)? If you remove 2 older kernels on your installation, you'll have room for that... Or a few of those billions of bloatwares lots of Linux's distros have, like Mint...

I'm not paranoid about my data. But the laptop I'm currently on has a very small storage, so those extra GB do hurt. I already have a minimal Lubuntu setup, and I've scrubbed all the junk from it, only for steam to drop so much extra deadweight on me.

[Ratconned]

Originally posted by Alex:

It seems like a general dependency, since it is now impossible to remove the runtimes as long as at least a single (linux-native) game remains installed.

Quite concerning. Adding dependencies where they aren't specifically needed has never ended well in the long term. That is the very reason for the windows old game troubles at the moment, and various other problems.

I can't help but wonder if there was a better solution than this. And the steam from the past would have made, and worked on, that solution.

[Pakkux]

I was wondering why all the sudden I need all of them.

From client updates I found out:
Steam developers can now select which Steam for Linux runtime to use for native titles. Please consult the partner site for more details.
(https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/593110?emclan=103582791457287600&emgid=4530150757095178610)

Maybe by default all of them are enabled and that is why steam now requires all of them?

Edit: read few lines more and there is that "Native titles will execute in 'Steam for Linux runtime 1.0 (scout)' by default, instead of the legacy runtime environment.
This behavior is consistent with Steam Deck and promotes better compatibility across all Linux desktop distributions.
Note that this new feature can be turned off globally with "-compat-force-slr off" on the Steam client command line."

[Alex]

Originally posted by Pakkux:

Maybe by default all of them are enabled and that is why steam now requires all of them?

Yes, it is now not only enabled by default, it is actually enforced. As soon as you install a linux-native game, the steam client will install the runtimes as well. It seems that with this update, ALL games depend on the runtime's presence, just the same as with proton.

Originally posted by Pakkux:

Note that this new feature can be turned off globally with "-compat-force-slr off" on the Steam client command line."

You can disable the usage of the runtimes with that command, but it won't get rid of them, the dependency remains. They cannot be removed as long as at least a single linux-native game remains installed. Manually uninstalling them simply promts a reinstall, and if you switch into offline mode, the game won't start.

[Pakkux]

Originally posted by Alex:

Originally posted by Pakkux:

Maybe by default all of them are enabled and that is why steam now requires all of them?

Yes, it is now not only enabled by default, it is actually enforced. As soon as you install a linux-native game, the steam client will install the runtimes as well. It seems that with this update, ALL games depend on the runtime's presence, just the same as with proton.

Do you know if enforcement comes from game developer side or steam?
As I understand game developer can change from their side what runtime must be used.

[Alex]

Originally posted by Pakkux:

Do you know if enforcement comes from game developer side or steam?
As I understand game developer can change from their side what runtime must be used.

I've noticed it first with "Surviving Mars", and that game is abandoned finished. There are no devs to decide anything. Same goes for Crusader Kings 2, it is no longer updated.

[grzegorz77]

Originally posted by Alex:

...
I'm not paranoid about my data. But the laptop I'm currently on has a very small storage, so those extra GB do hurt. I already have a minimal Lubuntu setup, and I've scrubbed all the junk from it, only for steam to drop so much extra deadweight on me.

Some laptops have an external sata socket. Linux also works great with an SSD connected via usb 3.0 and above. Less demanding sata drives, because the fastest ones take too much power for usb 3.0.
So even if you can't replace the drive in your laptop, this is a solution.

[Alex]

Originally posted by grzegorz77:

Some laptops have an external sata socket. Linux also works great with an SSD connected via usb 3.0 and above. Less demanding sata drives, because the fastest ones take too much power for usb 3.0.
So even if you can't replace the drive in your laptop, this is a solution.

It's an ex-chromebook, which has no extra sockets, except for a SD-card slot. But an external sata drive via usb might work.

Still, I'd rather get rid of those extra layers. Why the F was linux infected with this layer approach anyway. Want to install 300KB of protontricks? F U, get a GB of flatpak as well.

[Wicked]

Any solution for this? I want to run SiN with its source port but I can't run the native Linux app with Steam Runtime.

[Ratconned]

Originally posted by Wicked:

Any solution for this? I want to run SiN with its source port but I can't run the native Linux app with Steam Runtime.

Steam Play None on github is what you're looking for, I think.