The latest version of the game platform Lutris, version 0.5.17, has been released, offering tools to simplify the installation, configuration, and control of games on Linux. The project, written in Python, is distributed under the GPLv3 license. Ready-made assemblies are available in the flatpak format.
Lutris supports a catalog for quick search and installation of gaming applications, enabling users to run games through a single interface with one click in Linux. Runtime components necessary for starting games are provided by the project and are not dependent on the distribution used. The runtime includes libraries from Steamos, Ubuntu, and various additional libraries, making it distribution-independent.
The platform allows for the installation of games from services such as GOG, Steam, Epic Games Store, Battle.net, Amazon Games, Origin, and Uplay. Lutris acts solely as an intermediary and does not sell the games, so users must purchase commercial games from the appropriate service (free games can be launched directly from the Lutris interface).
Each game in Lutris comes with a boot script and environment handler for launching the game. Profiles with optimal settings for launching games via Wine are also provided. In addition to Wine, games can be launched using emulators for game consoles like Retroarch, Dosbox, fs-uae, scummvm, mess/mame, and Dolphin.
Key changes in the new version of Lutris include added support for starting games using the supermodel emulator for the Sega Model 3 platform and the VITA3K emulator for Sony PlayStation Vita games. The update also introduces synchronization of games, gaming statistics, and categories across multiple devices via the Lutris.net website service.
Other updates include the replacement of the Lutris screen with the Games screen for improved game library synchronization, experimental support for UMU mode for using Proton and Pressure Vessel without Steam service, enhanced game sorting options, and support for PNG files with transparent backgrounds in banners and covers. Additionally, outdated support for Libstrangle and XGAMMA has been removed.