An updated version of the Steam Linux Runtime 4 branch was rolled out that has now shifted from Debian 11 to Debian 13 libraries for some significant upgrades. In the process more libraries have gone x86_64 only in foregoing the i386 builds. In addition, the SDL 2 library support for the Steam Runtime is now provided by sdl2-compat as the compatibility layer for SDL2 atop SDL3.
Valve and their partners at Collabora have rolled out a significant Steam Linux Runtime update to shift libraries from Debian 11 to Debian 13.2 after having skipped out on Debian 12. The approximate four year version jump has resulted in some libraries having a new SONAME for breaking ABI compatibility.
Maybe that’s actually the right approach, counter-intuitively. Though it does make me wonder how many devs actually test against Proton, versus just taking the lazy option and saying it’s Windows only. Officially stating they support Proton would go a long way to help justify the lack of a native port.
Remember that at the end of the day Proton is just a stopgap measure (and future compatibility for legacy titles) up until Linux gathers enough critical mass for engines, studios and publishers to start targeting linux
Yes - but will it become a permanent crutch? That’s the double edged sword. A necessary risk, of course.