Use the Apple Game Port Toolkit as a Proton replacement on macOS

[VCT]

Steam has Proton for Linux that offers a great Windows gaming experience on Linux, but on macOS, we have Apple Game Port Toolkit (GPTK) to help translate DirectX games to Apple Metal, like Proton does with Vulkan.

We can use GPTK in third-party applications like Crossover, but it creates two different Steams on macOS (one Windows and one macOS version), breaking some interesting features like Steam Big View or Remote Play. It's a workaround.

Additionally, it can influence Steam searches, making it appear as if there are fewer Macs than there really are, as Crossover and other services only pretend to be Windows.

It would be very welcome if Steam implemented the Game Port Toolkit natively on Steam for Mac like Steam does with Proton for Linux, allowing you to view Windows games on the Mac and play it too, running with GPTK.

[nullable]

I think the biggest argument against is Proton is Valve's project. Where as GPTK is not, and Apple is going to drop it or break it whenever they see fit and Valve probably doesn't need or want to be on the hook for that. And if they ever have to remove it, assuming Apple even allows them to add it natively to Steam, users will invariably be pissed at Valve or demand they develop a replacement because users hate things be taken away.

I mean it's not a bad idea on the surface, but there's some devil in the details type issue that is probably going to make your idea more complex than "do it just like you did for Proton on Linux".

Valve needs to be careful about what 3rd party software they integrate into Steam, and Apple/GPTK would be no exception.

[Satoru]

You’re going to trust Apple who are definitely not a company to deprecate their own stuff on a whim, make up new rules, and destroy all your work overnight

[WolfEisberg]

Publicado originalmente por VCT:

Steam has Proton for Linux that offers a great Windows gaming experience on Linux, but on macOS, we have Apple Game Port Toolkit (GPTK) to help translate DirectX games to Apple Metal, like Proton does with Vulkan.

We can use GPTK in third-party applications like Crossover, but it creates two different Steams on macOS (one Windows and one macOS version), breaking some interesting features like Steam Big View or Remote Play. It's a workaround.

Additionally, it can influence Steam searches, making it appear as if there are fewer Macs than there really are, as Crossover and other services only pretend to be Windows.

It would be very welcome if Steam implemented the Game Port Toolkit natively on Steam for Mac like Steam does with Proton for Linux, allowing you to view Windows games on the Mac and play it too, running with GPTK.

Not going to happen unless Apple changes the EULA. TO put it short, the EULA prevents this tool to be used in such a way you are suggesting. Its only meant for developers to use the tool in helping them to make ports of their software. They cannot distribute the tool kit to the consumers like they would need to in order to make your suggestion work.

[76561198407601200]

Publicado originalmente por nullable:

I think the biggest argument against is Proton is Valve's project. Where as GPTK is not, and Apple is going to drop it or break it whenever they see fit and Valve probably doesn't need or want to be on the hook for that. And if they ever have to remove it, assuming Apple even allows them to add it natively to Steam, users will invariably be pissed at Valve or demand they develop a replacement because users hate things be taken away.

I mean it's not a bad idea on the surface, but there's some devil in the details type issue that is probably going to make your idea more complex than "do it just like you did for Proton on Linux".

Valve needs to be careful about what 3rd party software they integrate into Steam, and Apple/GPTK would be no exception.

Look at the issue regarding apple dropping 32 bit support, that wasn't Valve's doing yet they did people were vocal about Valve/Steam instead of Apple strangely enough.

[Anonymous Helper]

Publicado originalmente por WolfEisberg:

Not going to happen unless Apple changes the EULA. TO put it short, the EULA prevents this tool to be used in such a way you are suggesting. Its only meant for developers to use the tool in helping them to make ports of their software. They cannot distribute the tool kit to the consumers like they would need to in order to make your suggestion work.

Can they actually do that? GPTK is a fork of WINE like Proton is and all of them are open source and licensed under GNU GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE Version 3. Apple can't claim ownership of the code nor change the license it comes under. Most of it is not theirs to begin with and most Apple addition are just modifications of existing code someone else made.

[WolfEisberg]

Publicado originalmente por Anonymous Helper:

Publicado originalmente por WolfEisberg:

Not going to happen unless Apple changes the EULA. TO put it short, the EULA prevents this tool to be used in such a way you are suggesting. Its only meant for developers to use the tool in helping them to make ports of their software. They cannot distribute the tool kit to the consumers like they would need to in order to make your suggestion work.

Can they actually do that? GPTK is a fork of WINE like Proton is and all of them are open source and licensed under GNU GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE Version 3. Apple can't claim ownership of the code nor change the license it comes under. Most of it is not theirs to begin with and most Apple addition are just modifications of existing code someone else made.

The tools are more than just WINE, there is stuff involved that Apple made themselves that they can limit it's distribution and use. Without Apple's own created stuff involved your basically left with just WINE