ValveSoftware / ValveSoftware/Proton

Add Native DOSBox support (Feature Request)

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#1,566 34 comments 7 reactions 0 assignees View on GitHub

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Feature Request
Dominant language
C++
Stars
32.8k
Forks
1.6k
PR merge metrics
PR metrics pending

Description

Feature Request

Add Native DOSBox to Proton

I confirm:

  • that I haven't found another request for this feature.
  • that I have checked whether there are updates for my system available that
    contain this feature already.

Description

Extend Proton and/or the Steam Runtime to use native Linux DOSBox for DOS-based games.

Justification [optional]

Wine doesn't offer proper DOS games support. DOSBox is a separate project. Adding it to Proton would allow to integrate patches for controller support amongst other features. Also, add this and all the DOSBox games for Windows will start "just working" via Steam Play on Linux. Easy way to bolster the Steam Play library, benefitting Valve commercially.

However, it may be worth considering adding this to Steam Runtime instead and claiming Linux-native compatibility on all the DOS games. This would bolster the library of games showing as made for SteamOS boosting the native library with very little work and a large return.

Risks [optional]

If applied as a Steam Play solution, customers may think the games rely on Wine.
To mitigate this, apply the change at the Steam Runtime level and mark all the games as Linux-compatible instead without claiming the games need Steam Play to work.

References [optional]

Examples of games that would benefit include:

  • DOOM (#1534)
  • Worms (#444)

Business Case

See Justification/Risks above. This is a change which if done at the Steam Runtime level, could provide a large ROI for a very minor risk and very little work.

Contributor guide

No contributing guide indexed for this repository

First steps

  1. Read the whole issue, then the project's contributing guide.
  2. Comment on the issue to say you are picking it up — it saves two people doing the same work.
  3. Fork the repository and make your change on a branch.
  4. Open a pull request that references the issue number.

Research direction

No files, tests, or entry points are named. Start by determining whether Proton or the Steam Runtime should own DOSBox integration, then review related issues #1534 and #444. Done would require an agreed implementation scope and a defined compatibility approach for DOS-based games.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Tech stack
cpp
Domain
desktop, operating-systems
Issue type
Feature
Difficulty
5/5
Estimated time
Over a week
Activity status
Stale
Clarity
Needs clarification
Newbie friendliness
20/100

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