EQ2: Linux & Mac Guide [Reloaded]

[Sturmlocke]

Everquest 2 on Linux: OpenSUSE Leap / Tumbleweed with Gnome and SteamPlay / Proton​

Continuation of: https://forums.daybreakgames.com/eq2/index.php?threads/eq2-on-linux-and-mac-guide.604032/

Will update a few things for this new version of the thread and will remain on standby for more feedback / help / discussions etc.

Placeholder -> work in progress -> will update soon.

 

[Sturmlocke]

EQ2 on the Steam Deck:

My wife is working on tweaked controller profiles for the Steam Deck and EQ2 that she'll be sharing via the Deck's community tab soon. This was her first test run using the built-in controller support of the Steam Deck for EQ2, and it works like a charm! EQ2 runs at 60 fps and very high details on this little machine - even after the switch to DirectX11. DC Universe Online doesn't require any additional tweaking btw, it just automatically works the same way it would on a console like the Switch or Playstation. So if you have been thinking of purchasing a new computer to use with any of these games, know that it'll work just fine despite being a small handheld.

 

[gambitak]

Everquest 2 on Linux: OpenSUSE Leap / Tumbleweed with Gnome and SteamPlay / Proton​

Continuation of: https://forums.daybreakgames.com/eq2/index.php?threads/eq2-on-linux-and-mac-guide.604032/

Will update a few things for this new version of the thread and will remain on standby for more feedback / help / discussions etc.

Placeholder -> work in progress -> will update soon.

I can't get Steam to let EQ2 play in a window while using GNOME on Tumbleweed; another problem is that if I use ALT-TAB like you do in the above picture, the game will crash. Is there a setting somewhere, or an add-on, which will allow that? And, thanks for creating this, with Microsoft's 'Recall' announcement, I hope more people will move to Linux.

If you need any help, I'll gladly contribute what I can.

 

[Sturmlocke]

Hail Gambi, yes, you have to set the window mode in EQ2 Launchpad -> settings -> game config -> enable window mode and set it either to fullscreen window mode or to normal window mode. You can also "force" something like that by using Proton's built-in Wine virtual desktop mode (the app "Protontricks" will give you access to "wineconfig" / "winecfg" -> "graphics" tab for the EQ2 prefix) or by using a launch command for Proton and EQ2 in Steam. Usually just using EQ2's game config window to set window mode is enough though (that's how I did it). You have to use window mode before alt-tabbing. Trying to alt-tab while in true fullscreen mode can be tricky sometimes, so what I usually do is I use alt + enter to switch between window and fullscreen before actually alt tabbing. Alternatively you can force a fullscreen window mode in EQ2's graphic setting in-game for quick and easy alt-tabbing.

Topic: AI + SPYBOTS

And you're right, Microsoft is taking the next step in total surveillance, to no ones surprise really: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=microsoft+ai+spy

And quite frankly, with the rise of other AI based software, this is a super important discussion that has to be held and dealt with right now before it gets even worse. This also goes for smartphones and other smart devices, which are actively being used to monitor ppl without folks even knowing it. Personally I don't trust any software switch that can enable or disable anything on my system. I would recommend the use of real hardware switches to turn off certain features of your device, if privacy is a top priority to you: https://puri.sm/products/librem-5/pureos-mobile/

But even then there will be ways to "spy" on you.

In addition to ads in Windows ofc: https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us...sive-ads/dba680c9-14b4-4a60-9668-a4146aee9075

And more ads: https://www.theverge.com/2024/4/24/...tart-menu-ads-recommendations-setting-disable

Topic: Anti-cheat

I mention this because we have had the topic of upgraded anti-cheat solutions around here before. Just some feedback. Anti-cheat is yet another hot topic of discussion with big names such as Electronic Arts switching over to super invasive Anti-cheat software for a number of their games: https://www.gamingonlinux.com/2024/...at-breaking-another-game-on-steam-deck-linux/

This will break compatibility for online gaming for a number of games on Linux, but to be honest, I wouldn't want that stuff on my computer anyway as it is going way too far.

League of Legends is doing the same: https://www.reddit.com/r/linux_gami...ue_of_legends_devs_about_linux_vanguard_anti/

And ppl are reporting bricked computers due to that change: https://www.reddit.com/r/Asmongold/comments/1cioul9/riots_anti_cheat_system_is_supposedly_bricking/

KERNEL and BOOT STATE parameters / access = questionable behavior similar to backdoors and rootkits and the likes. I mentioned this in the old Mac and Linux guide here in our old EQ2 forums, and as expected they're now taking it to the next step. I'm sorry, but gaming software has no business acquiring that type of access on a users system. This isn't about anti-cheating either as proven a number of times in the past. If ppl want to cheat, they will find ways to bypass this one way or the other. The real reason for moves like this is usually something else entirely. I'm actually glad that we don't support that stuff on Linux and I hope other game companies don't follow the example above. The fact that this is being applied to games that I already bought on Steam without my consent means that I will most certainly be asking Valve for a refund of the titles affected by this move, because it's a drastic change in usage and I don't agree with it. Posting this because I know companies like to reevaluate their deals and partnerships with this type of stuff all the time, and the moment my favorite pc games do the above, that's when I'll just stop playing them and opt for something else entirely instead. Gog.com is looking really good sometimes with their DRM free approach to things. Either that or I'll just buy a used console and be done with it, haha!

 

[gambitak]

I wish more people took a security-conscious approach to their technology. It can be worse, if you want to follow it down the rabbit hole. But I find most people are more concerned with their chicken burning, the game they're currently playing on the phone or whether the Kardashians are wearing something new.

Revenons à nos moutons: EQ2 and Linux.

Recommended Distros (distributions) [in no particular order]:

• OpenSUSE Tumbleweed - German software engineering at its finest; OpenSUSE Leap is, sadly, going away. It will be replaced with OpenSUSE Slowroll. I am currently using OpenSUSE Tumbleweed.
• Ubuntu - At one time, I highly recommended this; however, Canonical, the company that owns and develops Ubuntu, made some highly questionable privacy/security decisions; extra points when you pronounce the name correctly and why Canonical chose the name (see the previous video where Nelson Mandela explains Ubuntu). There are different flavors of Ubuntu:
  • Kubuntu - Ubuntu with KDE as the Desktop Environment
  • Xubuntu - Ubuntu with XFCE as the Desktop Environment
  • Pika OS - An Ubuntu-based distribution modeled after Nobara Linux
  • And many, many more
• Zorin OS - One of my favorites for those coming from Mac OS or Windows. I've convinced about a dozen people to switch to Zorin OS Pro, which has a few other Quality-of-Life additions over their Core offering. You can download for free (yaaaay!) or pay $49 US for the Pro version. My girlfriend has been on Zorin Os Pro for 3-4 years now and hasn't noticed a difference in her daily life.
• Mabox Linux - This is a Manjaro/Arch-based Linux that focuses on being less resource intensive than many other distros. They have an active community. Since it is based on Arch Linux, it has the absolute best documentation, in the world, for help and the community is highly active. Other Arch-based distros include:
  • Artix Linux - Removes systemd and replaces it with runit, openrc and more. That's just a lot of geek-speak for "If you're interested, send me a DM and I can help you decide"
  • Garuda Linux - A flashy, game-focused Arch-based distrubition
• Nobara Linux - A Fedora-based distribution focused on maximizing gaming potential through kernel optimizations and software app configuration
• Linux Mint - A distro that focuses on easing the transition from Windows or Mac OS to Linux. An active community that can be truly helpful
• Pop_OS! - System76 is a company that has done a lot for the Linux community; not only do they develop for the software community but they offer systems with Pop_OS! already installed or, surprisingly, they offer to install other popular distributions, as well. If you have the money for one of their new desktops or laptops, I can't recommend these guys enough.

It can all be a bit confusing, especially when you're coming from something as controlled and limited as Windows or Mac OS. We post these things here to help people decide and offer our expertise. I have 40+ years in systems development and support; network engineering, installation and support; 2+ years towards an electronics engineering degree; 10+ years in database planning, development and support; and much more. I've held certificates in Unix, Linux, Security and Microsoft offerings. There are more with similar credentials (such as @Sturmlocke who has offered to help people). Please reach out if you have questions. You can DM me if you're uncomfortable posting in the thread.

*** RESERVED FOR FURTHER ADDITIONS***

 

[Sturmlocke]

Alright folks, openSUSE Leap 15.6 just released and I am typing this from an updated system (15.5 Leap -> 15.6 Leap). Upgrading via DVD / USB worked like a charm and was relatively easy. Not as easy as a modern Ubuntu mind you, but it was good nonetheless.

Leap 15.6 release party:

As mentioned by Gambi further above, following this release will be a new approach to the stable branch of openSUSE. A successor is already in the works.

In addition, Ubuntu 24.04 LTS also released a few days ago and it's looking really good. Upgrading from a previous version to the newest LTS only took a couple of minutes and was done via two or three clicks to start the upgrade process from within an old(er) version:

Meanwhile in the world of Windows, Antivirus companies (in this case "Avast") sell collected user data to third parties: https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=avast+sell+user+data

This was also partially mentioned in the old thread and discussed with a few of our community members via private chat, but to reiterate again, careful with those third party antivirus tools on Windows folks. Everyone and everything is after your data nowadays.

Cheers

 

[PsiberDaemon]

Running Pop!_OS 22.04 LTS here on an old Dell Studio desktop. I had an Oryx Pro from System76 that came with Pop! pre-installed (still have it but need to get a new battery for it) and have always had success using Lutris to install EQ2. It just works. And I get great fps, good quality graphics (this machine does rock an nVIDIA card along with the standard on-board gpu) and the fact I've got 16gb probably helps a little too. But yes, even on 'older' machines that are running Linux, you can get some pretty decent performance.

 

[Kamapoipoi]

Has anyone been able to install eq2maps? I am running OpenSuse tumbleweed. When I load eq2 it doesnt load up eq2maps.

 

[gambitak]

Has anyone been able to install eq2maps? I am running OpenSuse tumbleweed. When I load eq2 it doesnt load up eq2maps.

Yes, I have EQ2Maps working using the "MANUAL" edition. To get the update function working, I had to use DarqUI working on Lutris. In Steam, I have the "MANUAL" version and it works awesome.

 

[Sephy666]

I find either using EQ2 through steam or just installing using wine works just fine. Never had an issue on linux. Daybreak don't seem to care if you run on Linux, however better support for Linux OSes would be a nice touch

 

[Zygax64]

Hi, first just wanted to thank you for creating this thread and putting all of this together.
I'm Currently running EQ2 (PopOS) and playing on Origins via Proton on Steam and performance seems great! I can't get DarqUI to work properly though, for whatever reason the UI just will not load, even when running the darqui.exe via Steam/Proton as a non-Steam game, with the files visibly populating in the directory after running the .exe and even changed the permissions on the directory files/exe thinking it might make a difference. I was wondering if you'd be willing to expand a little on the process of getting the custom UI to work? The game is indeed playable after dropping down to 1440p but I'd really like to have maps/DarqUI working.

 

[gambitak]

Hi, first just wanted to thank you for creating this thread and putting all of this together.
I'm Currently running EQ2 (PopOS) and playing on Origins via Proton on Steam and performance seems great! I can't get DarqUI to work properly though, for whatever reason the UI just will not load, even when running the darqui.exe via Steam/Proton as a non-Steam game, with the files visibly populating in the directory after running the .exe and even changed the permissions on the directory files/exe thinking it might make a difference. I was wondering if you'd be willing to expand a little on the process of getting the custom UI to work? The game is indeed playable after dropping down to 1440p but I'd really like to have maps/DarqUI working.

Come to think of it, DarqUI isn't chaning my UI at all in Lutris; however, I am able to run the EXE file and update the maps and anything else that has changed. Since I've never used DarqUI before, I'm really not sure what it should look like and how it should perform.

 

[Enathalia]

If you use addons you need to run them in the EQ2 wine prefix. For Lutris you can start the wine task manager and the run new task (C:\users\<username>\Downloads is linked to the Download folder in $HOME).
For eq2map and Act is easier to install these tools in their own prefix and link the EQ2 installation folder with a symbolic link.
Here is a script for non Steam installations. It is assumed the game wine prefixes are in $HOME/Games.
I'm running Bazzite (Fedora Atomic Desktop + Additional Layers)


#!/bin/bash

if [ -z ${1} ]; then
echo "usage: $(basename ${0}) target game slug"
exit 0
fi

SOURCE=${HOME}/Games/everquest-ii
if [ ! -d ${SOURCE} ]; then
echo "unable to find EQ2 game slug" >&2
exit 1
fi

TARGET=${HOME}/Games/${1}
if [ ! -d ${TARGET} ]; then
echo "unable to find \"${1}\" game slug" >&2
exit 1
fi

EQ2=$(find ${SOURCE} -name EverQuest2.exe)
if [ -z "${EQ2}" ]; then
echo "unable to find EverQuest2.exe" >&2
exit 1
fi
EQ2DIR=$(dirname "${EQ2}")
echo "found EQ2 installation at \"${EQ2DIR}\""

EQ2LINK=$(basename "${EQ2DIR}")
EQ2PARENT=$(realpath --relative-to="${SOURCE}" "$(dirname "${EQ2DIR}")")
mkdir -pv "${TARGET}/${EQ2PARENT}"
ln -svf "${EQ2DIR}" "${TARGET}/${EQ2PARENT}/${EQ2LINK}"

 

[Sturmlocke]

Has anyone been able to install eq2maps? I am running OpenSuse tumbleweed. When I load eq2 it doesnt load up eq2maps.

Hi, first just wanted to thank you for creating this thread and putting all of this together.
I'm Currently running EQ2 (PopOS) and playing on Origins via Proton on Steam and performance seems great! I can't get DarqUI to work properly though, for whatever reason the UI just will not load, even when running the darqui.exe via Steam/Proton as a non-Steam game, with the files visibly populating in the directory after running the .exe and even changed the permissions on the directory files/exe thinking it might make a difference. I was wondering if you'd be willing to expand a little on the process of getting the custom UI to work? The game is indeed playable after dropping down to 1440p but I'd really like to have maps/DarqUI working.

Yes, I have EQ2Maps working using the "MANUAL" edition. To get the update function working, I had to use DarqUI working on Lutris. In Steam, I have the "MANUAL" version and it works awesome.

Hail everyone, sorry for the super late reply, life has been hitting us hard with a number of curveballs lately and we're trying to stabilize the entire situation before being able to return to our normal routine. It's been super stressful to say the least, but we're hanging in there. Anyway, in addition to what Gambi said, which is what I can confirm works just fine with Steam + Proton, you can also do the automated installation method of EQ2Map. I'll have to retest with Proton 9 on my openSUSE / Ubuntu machines to make sure, but IIRC last time I tested I decided to use an app called "Protontricks" (available in Ubuntu's software center or generally available via Flathub / Flatpak - depends on your distro). I used Protontricks to install the EQ2Map EXE into the existing EQ2 Proton prefix and after that I used Protontricks to install a specific .NET version etc. into the same prefix in order to make the EQ2Map interface show up correctly for the automated version. After that, you go into Steam and change the launch EXE from your installed EQ2 entry to the EQ2Map launcher thingy and you're all set. That's what I remember doing last time, but I'll have to recheck just to make sure.

I know this method works like a charm with Crossover and EQ2+EQ2Map:

EQ2MAP on Ubuntu 22.04 + Crossover 23​

I'll try to retest with Steam + Proton and report back asap. Meanwhile, I hope the above helps point you into the right direction.

I find either using EQ2 through steam or just installing using wine works just fine. Never had an issue on linux. Daybreak don't seem to care if you run on Linux, however better support for Linux OSes would be a nice touch

+1 I also vote for official Linux acknowledgement or even official support of any kind. Windows 7 is still supported, even though it's "officially" dead, and Linux does have higher gaming numbers to boast after all (statistically speaking). I'm actually quite surprised by how many of us use Linux around here. I've had ppl contact me on Steam seeking help with EQ2Maps etc. after switching to Linux recently, and it seems we have even more folks lurking in the background using Linux for all things Everquest too. Looking good!

 

[Sephy666]

Hail everyone, sorry for the super late reply, life has been hitting us hard with a number of curveballs lately and we're trying to stabilize the entire situation before being able to return to our normal routine. It's been super stressful to say the least, but we're hanging in there. Anyway, in addition to what Gambi said, which is what I can confirm works just fine with Steam + Proton, you can also do the automated installation method of EQ2Map. I'll have to retest with Proton 9 on my openSUSE / Ubuntu machines to make sure, but IIRC last time I tested I decided to use an app called "Protontricks" (available in Ubuntu's software center or generally available via Flathub / Flatpak - depends on your distro). I used Protontricks to install the EQ2Map EXE into the existing EQ2 Proton prefix and after that I used Protontricks to install a specific .NET version etc. into the same prefix in order to make the EQ2Map interface show up correctly for the automated version. After that, you go into Steam and change the launch EXE from your installed EQ2 entry to the EQ2Map launcher thingy and you're all set. That's what I remember doing last time, but I'll have to recheck just to make sure.

I know this method works like a charm with Crossover and EQ2+EQ2Map:

EQ2MAP on Ubuntu 22.04 + Crossover 23​

I'll try to retest with Steam + Proton and report back asap. Meanwhile, I hope the above helps point you into the right direction.



+1 I also vote for official Linux acknowledgement or even official support of any kind. Windows 7 is still supported, even though it's "officially" dead, and Linux does have higher gaming numbers to boast after all (statistically speaking). I'm actually quite surprised by how many of us use Linux around here. I've had ppl contact me on Steam seeking help with EQ2Maps etc. after switching to Linux recently, and it seems we have even more folks lurking in the background using Linux for all things Everquest too. Looking good!

I moved my whole household over to Linux Mint after all the Windows updates breaking various computers and now it seems microsoft want to make Windows literal spyware and malware, alot of us are moving to Linux now that Proton is getting better and more developers are at least looking into making their game compatible with Linux

 

[gambitak]

I moved my whole household over to Linux Mint after all the Windows updates breaking various computers and now it seems microsoft want to make Windows literal spyware and malware, alot of us are moving to Linux now that Proton is getting better and more developers are at least looking into making their game compatible with Linux

I moved my GF to Linux (Zorin OS Pro 16.3, atm) several years ago and she has grown to love it. I purchased SoftOffice Pro for both of us since it was the most compatible with MS Office, which was required for a business we closed in 2021 and, more importantly, they do not collect or use telemetry.

 

[gambitak]

I'm running Bazzite (Fedora Atomic Desktop + Additional Layers)

I'm still relatively new to the immutable desktop concept. I'm not sure why one would choose to use it as you lost a LOT of system functionality, much like a Chrome-based notebook or an Android phone. At least, that's what I've seen.

For example, I tried OpenSUSE Aeon a couple times now, spent hours getting things installed only to find out that distrobox (Aeon's answer to apps that do not exist on Flatpak but do exist in the repos) does not have access to USB devices or other system resources; even with a root-based container, the app was denied access to any USB device. Further, Aeon encrypts with TPM, which is not really encryption since it's ever really only encryption out-of-place (as opposed to in-place), meaning that files can be read on the machine after it is booted. I much prefer LUKS, which requires a key to unlock.

As for Bazzite, and Atomic in general, I've not tried using it, yet. I'm downloading the ISO as I type. I haven't used, or even tried, either Red Hat or Fedora for a long, long time. I got bit by their release cycle a couple of times awhile back and haven't used them since.

4 hour+ break later...

Okay, I just spent the whole morning and afternoon reading and finally responding to Fedora's proposed telemetry. It is concerning. I may skip Bazzite, although it looks interesting; however, being based on Fedora, eventually the telemetry will be included in the distro. I went away from Windows due to their telemetry, both profesionally and personally.