Linux Review:

Magic: The Gathering Arena

Magic: The Gathering Arena empowers you to discover your strategy, meet the planeswalkers, explore the multiverse, and battle friends around the world. Start playing for free, challenge your friends, unlock cards, and feel the magic of the original fantasy CCG!

Magic: The Gathering Arena

PROTON TIER: PLATINUM


Magic: The Gathering Arena - Technical Documentation

Magic: The Gathering Arena allows you to discover your strategy, meet the planeswalkers, explore the multiverse, and battle friends around the world. Start playing for free, challenge your friends, unlock cards, and feel the magic of the original fantasy CCG!

Status Check: Runs via Proton (Platinum Tier)

TWEAKS & TRICKS:

  • Black Screen After Login: Initial login loads, but the game progresses to a black screen with audio.

    • Solution: PROTON_NO_ESYNC=1 PROTON_NO_FSYNC=1 WINEDLLOVERRIDES="mfplat.dll=n,b" %command%

  • Friends List/Challenges Not Working: Friends appear offline; unable to send or receive direct challenges.

    • Solution: Restart the game and PC. This is a common issue across multiple operating systems.

  • Unable to Launch: Game fails to launch on any Proton version.

    • Solution: Set launch options. (Specific options not defined - requires further investigation).

  • Sound Crackling: Audio issues.

    • Solution: -sdlaudiodriver=pulse

  • Hybrid Graphics Lockups: Game constantly locks up when graphics are set to “Hybrid.”

    • Solution: Use Intel Integrated Graphics. Avoid “NVIDIA Graphics” setting, as it may cause system lockups.

  • VPN Issues: Problems playing over VPN.

    • Solution: Tinker with VPN settings (e.g., ProtonVPN, secure core, routed through Switzerland to the US). No specific command identified.

Verdict: Magic: The Gathering Arena is a viable purchase for Linux gamers, achieving Platinum status on ProtonDB. While some users experience issues related to NVIDIA drivers and VPN configurations, many report a functional and enjoyable experience.