KCD on Debian GNU/Linux with Proton and dxvk

How to get Kingdom Come Deliverance running on your Debian GNU/Linux operating system using Proton.

warning

expect no support from anyone if you're using this method.

0. CRITICAL requirement - recent video driver

Before reading any further, YOU HAVE to use RECENT graphics card driver (with proper vulkan support).

i personally use nvidia latest beta driver (414.18.02 that is), manually installed using curses-based installer from https://developer.nvidia.com/vulkan-driver
(have a look at https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1581032383 for more informations)

1. Enable SteamPlay

In the steam client, hit Steam / Settings / Steamplay and check following checkboxes :
- "Enable Steam Play for supported titles" (checked)
- "Enable Steam Play for all titles" (checked)
- "Use this tool instead of game-specific selections from Steam" (checked)

- Compatibility tool : choose "Proton 3.16-4 Beta" (or later)

your settings should look like this :

Validate and eventually restart the steam client when asked for.

2. copy some files

workaround found at https://www.back2gaming.com/reviews/b2g-games/pc/steam-play-proton-game-compatibility-list/ :

here, i suppose you're using the default steam library directory

$HOME/.steam/ 

update your commands accordingly.

let's copy those files :

cd $HOME/.steam/steam/steamapps/common/KingdomComeDeliverance/Bin/
cp Win64Shared/* Win64/

3. proton 4.11 update

With proton 4.11-1 (august 4th 2019), there's no more need for manual dxvk installation.

enable steamplay and copy dll files as explained above, then set launch options (see below) and you're good to go

launch options :

PROTON_NO_ESYNC=1 %command%

3. dxvk (now deprecated/useless)

dxvk : "Vulkan-based D3D11 and D3D10 implementation for Linux / Wine"

We'll "tell the steam client" to use dxvk by "injecting" (copying) some modified dll library files into KCD WINEPREFIX directory structure.

3.a dxvk download

Download latest dxvk release from https://github.com/doitsujin/dxvk/releases : download latest tarball

mkdir -p $HOME/share/games/dxvk
cd $HOME/share/games/dxvk/
wget https://github.com/doitsujin/dxvk/releases/download/v0.93/dxvk-0.93.tar.gz && tar zxvf dxvk-0.93.tar.gz

3.b setup dxvk

we now copy dxvk dll files :

cd $HOME/share/games/dxvk/dxvk-0.93/
WINEPREFIX="$HOME/.steam/steam/steamapps/compatdata/379430/pfx" winetricks --force setup_dxvk.verb

We verify libraries overrides (Library tab) and set our audio devices to pulseaudio :

WINEPREFIX="$HOME/.steam/steam/steamapps/compatdata/379430/pfx" winecfg

4. Play Kingdom Come Deliverance

You can now hit the Play button as you'd do using window$ :)

i personally also did the following :

- disabled hd sound and voice packs by unchecking the checkboxes on steam kcd library page.

- lowered all gfx settings to minimum

- used full screen, same resolution as desktop

5. performance

Using those simple steps, i personally went from barely reaching 9 fps, totally unplayable with constant huge stuttering to fully enjoyable game, forgetting i'm not using the operating system that game was developed for :)
(following screenshot was taken with slighly higher visual settings than i use to play)

I started with absolute minimum video settings (still using same resolution as desktop, fullscreen), and slowly increased a few gfx settings, but not long enough yet to reach the point with best visuals and minimal performance impact.

As soon as you use dxvk, the game becomes fully playable.



according to protondb, users got a major performance improvement using proton 4.11 ; i'm now redownloading the game to see how it goes on my system ; will update this page accordingly.

[celkaris]

But indeed, playing games not originally made for anything else than windows is not quite there, but we're making quite some good progress recently

[celkaris]

i don't have any Micro$oft Window$ installation anymore, that's why.

I like to know what my machines do, and have control over them,

plus i hate software that phones home constantly, sending whatever data they want to to some unknown people out there.

[Error]

well i guess we should thank you for the hard work putting this guide together, but tell me what is the point of running this game on linux at 49 fps? you can't enjoy this game then.