GE-Proton 10-26 Released: FEX Integration, Major DLSS/FSR 4 Upgrades, and Key Game Fixes

The Linux gaming ecosystem, particularly for Steam Deck users, just received a major boost. GloriousEggroll has officially released GE-Proton 10-26, a significant update to their custom, community-driven compatibility layer. This release is much more than a routine patch, incorporating crucial architectural changes and cutting-edge graphical features designed to enhance stability, performance, and game compatibility across the board.

GE-Proton is an indispensable tool for Linux gamers, acting as an alternative to Valve’s official Proton version when specific games require non-standard fixes, codecs, or experimental technologies. Version 10-26 streamlines the user experience and broadens the scope of what is easily playable on Linux.

Next-Generation Upscaling: DLSS and FSR 4 Support

A key highlight of GE-Proton 10-26 is the robust implementation of modern upscaling technologies, crucial for maintaining high frame rates on demanding titles or on resource-constrained devices like the Steam Deck.

The new release introduces full support for DLSS Scaling, ensuring NVIDIA users can leverage the full potential of their hardware for improved visual fidelity at high resolutions. For a transparent view of performance, users can now enable a new HUD indicator.

Introducing FSR 4 Capabilities

Perhaps even more future-facing is the integration of AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution 4 (FSR 4). This update allows users to automatically upgrade FSR 3.1 games to use the newer FSR 4 dynamic link libraries (DLLs) via a simple environment variable.

• DLSS Indicator: Enable the on-screen display with PROTON_DLSS_INDICATOR.
• FSR 4 Upgrade: Automatically download and use FSR 4 DLLs in supported games using the PROTON_FSR4_UPGRADE variable.
• FSR 4 Watermark: Use PROTON_FSR4_INDICATOR to display the FSR 4 watermark on screen.

These environment variables offer power users granular control over their upscaling experience, future-proofing their Linux gaming setup.

Architectural and Core System Updates

Beyond graphical features, GE-Proton 10-26 features critical updates beneath the hood that fundamentally improve the layer’s performance and reach.

FEX Integration

A standout feature is that the FEX dynamic binary translator now builds directly as part of the Proton package. FEX is a crucial component for executing x86 applications on non-x86 architectures (like ARM). While primarily targeting systems like the Steam Deck, this integration signals a move toward broader compatibility for various handheld devices and alternative Linux setups running on different CPU types.

Upstream and Component Rebase

This release imports extensive changes from upstream components, guaranteeing stability and access to the latest performance improvements.

• Proton Updates: Core changes from upstream Proton have been incorporated.
• WINE Patch Rebases: Updates for wine-wayland (for improved Wayland compatibility) and wine-staging patches have been rebased.
• Input Fixes: The SDL dummy controller will now correctly deactivate when Steam Input is inactive, resolving potential conflicts, especially when using Wayland.

Key Game-Specific Compatibility Fixes

As with every GE-Proton release, a significant portion of the update is dedicated to fixing troublesome titles. The compatibility layer’s Protonfixes module tackles specific crashes, glitches, and localization issues.

This update resolves critical problems for several popular and demanding games:

• Final Fantasy XVI (FFXVI): Resolves a persistent crash issue specifically when running the game on the Wayland display protocol.
• The Outer Worlds 2: Includes a crucial fix addressing character movement and animation bugs.
• Space Engineers: Yet another dedicated fix has been added to resolve physics-related issues in the game.
• SOMA: The ntsync feature has been disabled to prevent environmental conflicts and improve stability in this horror title.
• Localization Fixes: Addresses a crash experienced in They Are Billions when using Russian localization settings.
• Launcher Stability: Corrects issues related to the Chromium Embedded Framework (CEF), notably fixing problems in games like Duet Night Abyss.

Conclusion: A More Refined Gaming Experience

GE-Proton 10-26 is a powerhouse release from GloriousEggroll, cementing its reputation as a vital resource for serious Linux gamers. The combination of forward-looking graphical enhancements like FSR 4 and structural updates like FEX integration, coupled with a comprehensive list of game-specific fixes, delivers a significantly smoother and more stable gaming experience. Users seeking the bleeding edge of Windows game compatibility on their Linux desktop or Steam Deck should ensure they update immediately via their preferred Proton management tool.

This video provides an excellent summary of recent news and upgrades within the Steam Deck and general Linux gaming space, including previous Proton updates. Steam Deck News - FSR 3, Proton Upgrades, Emulation, More Games!