Half-Life (Linux_x86) runs great on Raspberry Pi 400 (ARM/RISC)

[Adam Beckett]

Recently, I too started trying to run "PC Games" on the Raspi(4/400).

I remembered that Half-Life also had a Software Renderer (written by a female HL dev at the time, at the last minute. A gamedev story worth googlebinging, if you can find it (Gamasutra?)).

So, I thought "Heck, let's try it out." Little did I know, that the OpenGL renderer used for Linux will work on the Pi, too.

There is a single developer, who is valiantly trying to make x86 games run on Pi by re-writing libraries and fondling with c-pointers (those will never die?) to make it work.

https://box86.org/

What struck me - after installing it - is that Half-Life runs very WELL on the Pi, despite the different architecture and obviously non-optimal setup. Not to mention the graphic solution.

If you want to try it yourself, I can give you no "Howto" here. You basically have to
+ install Pi-Apps (github) = copy paste one line into terminal
+ install Box86 (via Pi-Apps) = one mouse click
+ install WINE (via Pi-Apps) = one mouse click
+ install Steam(!) for Linux (via Pi-Apps) = one mouse click

The Steam Client will run and install games, but the web-browser part will not. Games installed via Steam still need the SteamAPI calls to make a game run, so this is legit - not a 'hack'. The Steam "DRM" is in place and working. Which games will run, besides HL1 is hard to tell. Depends on your library. System Shock 2 does (well).

While "ARM-PC Gaming" (non-Android) is next to non-existent, aside from a few open-sourced engines (QUAKE3!), who knows what the future will bring? 20 years ago, I could not imagine playing Windows games on Linux. Look at us now...

[Chino Xhuan ✫]

This is amazing, being able to play a game like this on a computer that fits in a pocket!!!!!

[Kashui_32]

Sounds splendid! I’ve always loved the Raspberry Pis!

[BaseQ | Ch0wW]

Looks interesting! How's the perfs compared to an unofficial source port (let's say, Xash3D) ?

[Adam Beckett]

Originally posted by Ch0wW:

Looks interesting! How's the perfs compared to an unofficial source port (let's say, Xash3D) ?

I cannot tell you. I was afraid to run the Steam overlay or any fps monitor impacting the result.

The 'feel' is 'just like Windows', but on low resolution (480p). There ARE occasional frame drops, when some lasers or lightning is hitting some destructable decals. Just for a second.

It is very playable out-of-the-box, though. Considering it runs on 5-10 Watts ARM machine, this is impressive.

[unknownknown78]

doesnt half life 1 already have a linux port

[Kashui_32]

Originally posted by unknownknown78:

doesnt half life 1 already have a linux port

Of course, but this is running on an ARM processor.

[unknownknown78]

Originally posted by King:

Originally posted by unknownknown78:

doesnt half life 1 already have a linux port

Of course, but this is running on an ARM processor.

cool