How to setup the old "mod" version of Fistful of Frags (FoF) in Steam on Linux (using Proton)

In general, there are TWO versions of the Source-engine game "Fistful of Frags" (FoF):

• The Steam-native version: released through Steam in 2014. This is the version that is still being actively maintained, and most players of the game are familiar with. This version is available (natively) for both Windows and Linux Steam client-installs. This version may be installed through its Steam Store page: https://store.steampowered.com/app/265630/Fistful_of_Frags/
  
  
• A much older "Mod" version: This version predates the Steam-native release, dating all the way back to 2007 (in its earliest incarnations). It was last updated (circa) 2013. The client for this version was only ever released for Windows. However, with Steam's new "Proton" compatability layer, it is now possible to play it under Linux. This version is no longer "supported", but still playable for those interested in its older play-style and alternative modes.

Both the Steam-native and mod versions are free-to-play.

This guide provides instructions for setting-up the last pre-Steam Fistful-of-Frags "Mod" version (specifically version 3.9a) to work under Linux (presumably Linux Mint[linuxmint.com]) using Steam's "Proton" compatability layer. Several caveats and known issues with this configuration are noted near the end.

In theory, equivalent steps could be done with other Linux distributions to accomplish the same result. Also, it may be possible to similarly setup the "mod" version of Fistful of Frags under SteamOS - presumably performing actions in "desktop mode" to move files around, extract the zip-file, etc.

I. Revision History & Credits

Revision History:

NOTE: Latest updates at the top.

Revision Date	Revision Notes
20260515	Updated credits.
20260508	Added shameless plug.
20260407	Initial creation, pre-publication.

Credits / Acknowledgements:

• Obviously, the orignal FoF development team (RYell, etc.)
  
• Targz for doing tons of research, tracking-down and archiving old versions of FoF. This is effort is what made it possible have FoF 3.9a be truly playable again - by making it possible to host compatible dedicated servers.
  
• Shoubi, Apologet, Scarfy & Skitzofrenia for helping work-out various dedicated server issues, and/or hosting a dedicated server for the revival.

Shameless Plug:

If you find this guide helpful, please consider a "Buy me a Coffee" donation:
https://buymeacoffee.com/weaselslair

II. Prerequisites

In order to proceed, you will need serveral things, as noted below:

• Either Linux Mint[linuxmint.com], or some other Linux distribution (that you are very familiar with to overcome any differences).
  
• Steam client already installed and running (i.e you have already used it to play some games successfully).
  
• A copy of the Fistful of Frags 3.9 client files - in zipped format (i.e. not the ".exe" version). The zipped version (FoF_Client_3.9a_Full.zip), may be download from the Internet Archive, from this page: https://archive.org/download/fistful-of-frag-v39a

III. Licensing

A major component of this setup, is the use of the "Source SDK 2007[steamdb.info]". This is not open-source software, or necessarilly "free". However, licensing for it is included with a variety of Valve-produced game titles on Steam. If you own (in your Steam Library) any of the Valve game titles that use the "Source" game-engine, you are already licensed to use the "Source SDK 2007". Such games typically include:

• Half-Life 2
  
• Counter-Strike: Source
  
• Day of Defeat: Source
  
• Portal 1
  
• Portal 2
  
• Left for Dead 2
  
• Team Fortress 2

Effectively, if "Source SDK 2007" shows in your Steam Library, you are already licensed to use it.

IV. Preparation

You will need to install the "Source SDK 2007" as follows:

1. Open Steam, and if not already logged-in, so so..
   
2. Open the "Library" tab.
   
   
   
   
3. Enable "Tools" from the list of Library filters.
   
   
   
   
4. Expand the "Uncategorized" group.
   
   
   
   
5. Scroll down to "Source SDK 2007".
   
   
   
   NOTE: If "Source SDK 2007" does not already appear in the list (assuming "Tools" are included in the filters), then you are not yet licensed for it. See the list of games above in the Licensing secion, and purchase one.
   
   
6. Select the option to install "Source SDK 2007".
   
   
   
   
7. Once the installaton completes, right click on "Source SDK 2007" and select the "Properties ..." option.
   
   
   
   
8. Select the "Compatability" section.
   
   
   
   
9. Check the box for "Force the use of a specific Steam Play compatability tool".
   
10. From the drop-down list of compatability tools, select "Proton Experimental".
    
    
    
    
11. Close the "Properties" dialog.
    
12. Select the option to now update "Source SDK 2007".
    
13. Optionally, add "Source SDK 2007" to your Favorites.
    
14. Oprionally, deselect "Tools" from the list of Library filters.

V. Installation

Installation of the Fistful of Frags (FoF) v3.9a client on Linux Mint[linuxmint.com] goes as follows:

1. Download the zipped version of the client files (FoF_Client_3.9a_Full.zip), from this Internet Archive page: https://archive.org/download/fistful-of-frag-v39a
   
2. Save a copy of the FoF_Client_3.9a_Full.zip file inside the "sourcemods" folder. On Linux Mint[linuxmint.com], this is contain in the hidden ".steam" folder, a few layers down. Typically, the path is something like this:
   

   /home/{username}/.steam/debian-installation/steamapps/sourcemods

   
   
   
3. Right-click on the FoF_Client_3.9a_Full.zip file, and select "Extract Here".
   
   
   
4. Exit Steam, and then re-launch it. This is required to force steam to re-scan the "sourcemods" folder to find the newly installed game/mod.

VI. Validating

How to find your new Fistful of Frags (3.9a) installation:

1. In Steam, open the games "Library" list.
   
2. A new entry for "Fistful of Frags 3.9a" should appear in your list of games.
   
3. You launch it just like any other Steam game (see caveats in the next section).

Visually, Fistful of Frags 3.9a will show-up in your games list, like any other game on Steam. You may (optionally) add it to your "Favorites" list or any "Collection".

VII. Caveats / Known-Issues

You may experience some or all of the following issues:

1. When you launch "Fistful of Frags 3.9a", it will almost immediately change the button back to Play (as if it had crashed or something). However, this is normal expected behavior. It will / should automatically launch "Source SDK Base 2007" - with "fistful_of_frags" as a command-line launch option. Consequently, you snhould ignore the status in the Library for "Fistful of Frags 3.9a", and it should show "Source SDK Base 2007" as Running instead. It may take a moment or two for the game to actually load in a visible way.
   
   
2. The game will use a 4:3 aspect-ratio video mode by default. Under "Options", on the "Video" tab, you can change this to a 6:9 aspect-ratio, and whatever exact resolution works for you (and your hardware allows).
   
   
   
   
   
3. When you first enter the game, there will be an old pop-up warning that this version of the client is only compatible with servers running 3.9. This dates back to when 3.9 was "new", and servers did not necessarrilly update from older versions quickly. You may select the option to "Don't show again" and close that pop-up.
   
   
   
   
4. Although the number of servers on-line for the "mod" version of Fistful of Frags is very small, list may takea minute to load the first time. If it appears blank, use the "Refresh All option and wait a few moments for the list to populate.
   
   
   
   
5. Any windows that would normally display HTML-based content, such as "message-of-the-day" (or MOTD) windows, may just show as blank / solid-black. This presumably is due to some issue with Proton not fully ensuring the (ancient) embedded web-browser can render correctly. It is possible (though unlikely) that later updates to Proton might improve this situation.
   
   
   
   
6. Since this is a very old game, using a very old version of the Source game-engine, you may encounter issues running it in "High Dynamic Range" (HDR) video features. Typical symptoms would be things like weapons and other reflective surfaces exhibitiing and especially bright or shiney appearence. To resolve this issue, I recommend disabling HDR entirely. This may be done by selecting Options, the selecting the Video tab, then clicking the Advanced ... button, and then selecting None from the list of HDR options. Then of course, clicking Ok and such to back out of the options dialogs entirely. After doing so, the game may restart to apply the new settings.
   
   
   
   
7. Sometimes, when quitting the game, "Source SDK Base 2007" will continue running in the background after FoF 3.9a has closed. When this happens, there is a process named "hl2" running which may prevent other games from launching. You may need to go into system monitor and "kill" it to fully recover.
   

[[WL] Weasel (Asynchronous)]

FYI: For those playing from Linux , you might need to tweak Proton selection for both FoF 3.9a and Source SDK Base 2007 . But, here is what is working for me right now :

* Steam for Linux: Beta (under "Interface" options)
* FoF 3.9a: Proton Experimental (under "Comparability" options)
* Source SDK Base 2007: Proton 8.x (under "Comparability" options)

Not sure why FoF 3.9 and SDK 2007 would need different Proton versions, but this is what is working for me on Linux Mint 22.3 right now.

[[WL] Weasel (Asynchronous)]

Old Fistful of Frags Pre-Steam "Mod" Event (Long Read)
https://steamcommunity.com/groups/fof/discussions/0/836124703224566618/