So, Hytale, that cubey sandbox game everyone's been waiting for, is finally hitting early access next Tuesday, January 13th. It's been a wild ride for this game, especially after it was briefly canceled, then bought out by its original creators, and finally brought back to life. What's even cooler? It's launching with native Linux support!

If you're like me and you're not thrilled with Microsoft's shenanigans, this is fantastic news. You'll be able to play Hytale on a system that isn't bogged down by Windows' increasing bloat or its tendency to be abandoned prematurely.

However, there are a couple of things to keep in mind. The Linux version is labeled as "experimental," which means it might have some bugs specific to different Linux distributions. And what about the Steam Deck? Well, it's a bit complicated. While early tests show that Hytale runs okay on a docked Deck with a mouse and keyboard, it's not officially recommended since the game currently lacks controller support.

I think this is just the developers, Hypixel, managing expectations. They've already warned us that Hytale is still a work in progress and not quite finished. They've also decided to hold off on releasing it on Steam until it's in better shape.

But overall, I think this is good news for Linux gamers. It's still pretty rare for games to get full-fledged native Linux ports. Even a slightly buggy Linux version is better than trying to run a Windows game through a compatibility layer, which is how the Steam Deck handles most of its games.

I wouldn't write off the Steam Deck just yet, though. It seems to handle the performance just fine. Minecraft, another block-building game, runs pretty well on the Steam Deck, even without official controller support. So, there's a chance that someone will find a way to make Hytale work well on the Deck with some custom tweaks. At the very least, Linux compatibility is a good sign for the upcoming Steam Machine, which also runs SteamOS and has a PC-like design that's perfect for mouse and keyboard controls. It even looks a bit like a Hytale block!

Linux Rising?

It's interesting to see that Linux usage has been slowly growing, especially with people getting fed up with Windows 10 being discontinued, Windows 11 being filled with unwanted AI features, and Microsoft's controversial military contracts. While I'm not ready to ditch Windows completely, the idea of breaking free from Microsoft's control is becoming more appealing, especially as more and more developers are starting to take Linux seriously as a gaming platform. It's just not as bad as it used to be.