Linux Gaming Check:

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2

1. Introduction

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is a third-person action game set in the grim darkness of the far future. Players take on the role of a Space Marine, battling hordes of enemies in a visually intense and brutal combat experience. The game emphasizes fast-paced melee combat, strategic weapon usage, and a compelling narrative.

2. Status Quo (ProtonDB Analysis)

According to ProtonDB, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 currently holds a Gold tier rating. This indicates a generally playable experience on Linux via Proton, with some minor workarounds potentially required.

Community reports on ProtonDB paint a mixed picture. While the game is playable, several issues are prevalent:

• Launch Issues: Many users experience crashes when attempting to start the campaign unless Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC) is disabled and GE-Proton10-29 is used.
• GPU Underutilization: A significant concern is the game’s failure to fully utilize the GPU. Users report GPU clockspeeds and power consumption significantly lower than expected, resulting in limited performance (50-80fps). This appears to be a game-specific problem, as other titles run without issue.
• Performance Inconsistencies: Despite consistent FPS, stuttering and sound glitches during loading are reported.
• First Load Issues: Some users experience extremely low FPS on the initial load, resolving with a restart.
• SMT Requirement: Disabling SMT (Simultaneous Multithreading) in the BIOS is required to prevent the game from failing to launch past the first cutscene.
• Online Instability: Post-update 11, users report online disconnections and mod-related errors.

3. 🚨 IMPORTANT: Current Hotfix (Update January 2026)

A significant number of users are encountering problems running Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 on Linux/Proton. These issues include audio crackling, high CPU usage, FPS drops, online disconnections, freezes during cutscenes, and problems with PipeWire, as well as difficulties starting the game.

To address the launch issue, follow these steps:

1. Navigate to the Steam library folder: \Steam\steamapps\common\Warhammer 40000 Space Marine 2
2. Open the file Warhammer 40000 Space Marine 2.ini with a text editor (e.g., Notepad++).
3. Modify the line ApplicationPath=start_protected_game.exe to ApplicationPath=client_pc\root\bin\pc\Warhammer 40000 Space Marine 2 - Retail.exe.
4. Save the file.

Additional Troubleshooting Steps

• Online Instability: There is currently no official fix for online disconnections and mod errors. Consider testing the Public Test Server (PTS) version of the game (accessible via the Steam Beta program) to see if the issue has been resolved.
• FPS Drops and High CPU Usage:
  • Disable SMT (Simultaneous Multithreading) in your BIOS. Consult your motherboard manual or search online for instructions specific to your model.
  • Temporarily disable EAC (Easy Anti-Cheat) by modifying the ApplicationPath in the Warhammer 40000 Space Marine 2.ini file (as described above).
  • Utilize Proton Experimental.
• Freezes During Cutscenes: A known issue related to the NtGdiDdDDIQueryStatistics Polling Loop exists. Test the latest Proton versions.
• PipeWire Issues: Reports indicate PipeWire interruptions during loading. Test the latest PipeWire versions.

4. Verdict

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is playable on Linux via Proton, but requires several workarounds. The Gold rating on ProtonDB reflects this. The most critical issue is the initial launch problem, which can be resolved by modifying the Warhammer 40000 Space Marine 2.ini file. GPU underutilization remains a significant concern, limiting performance. While the game is functional, expect to spend time troubleshooting and applying workarounds to achieve a satisfactory experience. Monitor the PTS and Proton updates for potential improvements. </end_of_turn>