flatpak version for linux

[ryleu]

my quick pitch:

• no build issues
• no dealing with BRs for old versions
• auto updates
• better system integration
• easier installing

a flatpak version on flathub would have all of those benefits and more

[zarik5]

This was brought up multiple times, there are some insurmountable obstables, namely encapsulation. ALVR needs to modify SteamVR installation files in order to work.

[jmaris]

Hey, perhaps I can contribute at least concerning two points: GE-Proton ( a version of proton built for gamers on linux ) is available as a flatpak and modifies the existing Steam flatpak (by adding it's custom proton lib)

Perhaps there will be some pointers there on gaining access to the steam flatpak sandbox.

If this is possible then it could address issues with ALVR registering itself, and with the pipe for communications.

[ryleu]

While the idea seems good, all the ProtonUp Flatpak does (which is what I believe you're referring to) is modifies the contents of Steam's library directory.

What could be useful, however, are the IPC permissions that you can request for a Flatpak. I believe that would let you talk to the Steam process with that. If not, there may be some other permission, or even an xdg portal, that you could use.

Edit: just refreshed myself on this thread. It turns out that one of the "insurmountable" issues is modifying the installation files of SteamVR, which is entirely possible in the constrains of a Flatpak.

[zarik5]

As a sidenote, a ALVR appimage has been successfully made to work #1181

[jmaris]

While the idea seems good, all the ProtonUp Flatpak does (which is what I believe you're referring to) is modifies the contents of Steam's library directory.

What could be useful, however, are the IPC permissions that you can request for a Flatpak. I believe that would let you talk to the Steam process with that. If not, there may be some other permission, or even an xdg portal, that you could use.

Edit: just refreshed myself on this thread. It turns out that one of the "insurmountable" issues is modifying the installation files of SteamVR, which is entirely possible in the constrains of a Flatpak.

There is also a possibility of using a location accessible to both for the pipe, but i'm not 100% sure how that would work in practice.

[himekifee]

Would it be possible to manually override some config to make it work then? Like manually editing the openvr runtime path and then passtheough the alvr so lib filesystem to the inner steam flatpak. I can think of some dl loading issue with different versions of other libraries. Could that be fixed by static linking? Other than that I think it's possible to achieve the goal. I need the steam flatpak because my vrchat does not launch on my arch native steam runtime due to some anti cheat runtime issues.