Compatibility Report

Proton log: https://gist.github.com/bjoern-tantau/dfd8da78227ba10a000235fd5cd79635

I have also tried installing the X-Wing Alliance Upgrade Mega Patch from https://www.xwaupgrade.com/download/installers/XWAU2020.exe in the hopes that it would bring better compatibility, but I couldn't even run the installer: https://gist.github.com/bjoern-tantau/3bbd58309fd5851686428910b9d765c6

Even on windows a joystick is a requirement.

Even on windows a joystick is a requirement.

But it's rated as playable for the Steam Deck. And technically the Deck comes with two joysticks which could be presented as such to the game.

Even on windows a joystick is a requirement.

But it's rated as playable for the Steam Deck. And technically the Deck comes with two joysticks which could be presented as such to the game.

That should be true. I read the comments and thought it was being played on a PC not the steam deck.

I think the powers that be have heard me and did a configuration update. I can now use the controller as a joystick. Now I just need a way to install XWAU, but that is probably beyond Valve.

I'm having issues with joystick detection on my steam deck as well. By any chance, does your right thumbstick do anything? I imagine expected behavior is rudder control in the least when pressing the right thumb stick along the x axis. However, my right thumb stick currently has no input effect.

I own this game on both steam and gog. When running XWAUpgrade managed on lutris and through game mode, I had the odd behavior of the right trigger controlling roll. Spent some time googling around, utterly baffled.

I'm having issues with joystick detection on my steam deck as well. By any chance, does your right thumbstick do anything? I imagine expected behavior is rudder control in the least when pressing the right thumb stick along the x axis. However, my right thumb stick currently has no input effect.

Yes, that is the correct behaviour. Remember, the game is from 1999, where twin sticks didn't exist. You can roll by holding the B button and using the left joystick. This has been the standard behaviour since the first X-Wing game. XWAU added proper controller support.

Personally I set the right joystick to be the left one and I put the arrow keys and enter key on the left joystick. Don't know if I will keep it that way.

Replying to https://github.com/ValveSoftware/Proton/issues/6125#issuecomment-1231533426

Gratifying to know I'm in the realm of expected behavior for this game. Hopefully, if I manage to get XWAU working on the steam version, steam input will be able to identify my right stick and apply the correct configuration. Thank you for the informative reply.

I never played this game before until today, I was only able to get it running on Windows. I tried stable Proton 9.0-4, 8.0-5, 7.0-6, 6.3-8 - in all cases the Proton system ceases after clicking 'Play X-Wing Alliance' on the launcher.

This report is for Proton 9.0-4, running on Ubuntu 24.04:
steam-361670.log

The complaint about pid is odd - as though the system isn't properly launching the main game?

I'm aware of the 'upgrade' project, I haven't touched any of that. This is running the game as installed through Steam.

This GOG thread describes the same issue, and mentions DirectPlay. Could this be relevant for Proton? I'm not sure how to tell if DirectPlay is enabled for Proton or how to do so if it isn't.

No apparent change with Proton 10.0-3.

At least something seems to be launched with Proton 11, but I just get a black screen. I can hear audio.

At a guess, maybe my UHD display is 'too big' for an older game?