ValveSoftware / ValveSoftware/steam-runtime
[TF2] [Linux] SDL_AUDIODRIVER=alsa results in black screen after recent 3.0 runtime update
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Description
Setting the environment variable SDL_AUDIODRIVER to alsa in TF2 launch options results in a black screen and no audio after one of the recent Steam Runtime 3.0 (Sniper) updates.
Removing the environment variable works. However, changing the SDL audio driver to ALSA fixes an issue related to the game sound occasionally no longer playing after alt-tabbing or after opening the Steam overlay.
This is clearly a regression as setting the environment variable worked before this update.
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First steps
- Read the whole issue, then the project's contributing guide.
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- Fork the repository and make your change on a branch.
- Open a pull request that references the issue number.
Research direction
Reproduce the black screen and missing audio in TF2 with SDL_AUDIODRIVER=alsa after the Steam Runtime 3.0 (Sniper) update, then compare it with the working configuration without that variable. Trace the runtime's ALSA audio startup path; done means ALSA can be selected without the regression while preserving audio after alt-tabbing or opening the Steam overlay.
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Assessment
- Tech stack
- linux
- Domain
- operating-systems
- Issue type
- Bug
- Difficulty
- 4/5
- Estimated time
- 3-5 days
- Activity status
- Quiet
- Clarity
- Mostly clear
- Newbie friendliness
- 42/100