Valve’s latest Proton update improves compatibility for Helldivers 2, Forza Horizon and more

Valve has released Proton 11.0-2, the latest stable update to its compatibility software for running Windows games on Linux and SteamOS. The release addresses a wide range of problems affecting popular titles, including launch failures, crashes, black screens and performance issues.

Proton plays an important role in SteamOS by allowing many games developed for Windows to run on Linux-based systems without requiring native Linux versions. This makes each compatibility update particularly relevant to Steam Deck owners and other handheld gaming devices that rely on SteamOS.

The latest release includes fixes for several games that developed problems after recent game or SteamOS updates. Valve has also made changes to Proton itself and expanded the list of games with official compatibility support.

Popular games receive compatibility fixes

Several high-profile games receive notable improvements in Proton 11.0-2. Helldivers 2, for example, should now launch correctly again after a recent update caused compatibility problems for Linux and SteamOS players. The change is particularly useful for players who couldn’t start the game after keeping it updated.

Marvel Rivals also receives a crash fix, while Arc Raiders has been addressed after compatibility problems prevented some players from running the game properly. Diablo IV and Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain are among the other titles receiving fixes after recent game updates introduced issues.

The Forza Horizon series receives several improvements in the new Proton release. The update addresses issues that caused black screens in Forza Horizon 4, Forza Horizon 5, and Forza Horizon 6 on newer SteamOS versions. Forza Horizon 6 also receives a specific fix for an issue that could cause the game to close automatically after a device was suspended and then resumed.

That change could be particularly useful for handheld gaming users, who frequently use sleep and resume features rather than completely closing games between sessions. Improved suspend and resume behaviour can make games feel more reliable on portable devices, where players often move between short gaming sessions.

Valve also fixes problems within Proton

Proton 11.0-2 goes beyond individual game fixes, with Valve addressing several issues that had appeared in earlier versions of the compatibility layer. Terraria and Exanima receive fixes for performance-related problems, while Crysis 2 Remastered gets improvements related to ray tracing.

Borderlands GOTY Enhanced also receives a fix for a launch issue that could prevent the game from starting correctly. Valve has additionally added nine more games to Proton’s officially supported list, expanding the number of titles that receive recognised compatibility coverage.

These changes highlight the ongoing nature of Proton development. Rather than simply supporting Windows games through a fixed compatibility layer, Valve continually adjusts Proton as games, graphics drivers, SteamOS and hardware change. A game that works correctly after one update can sometimes develop problems following a later change, making continued maintenance important.

For Steam Deck and SteamOS users, these fixes can therefore have a noticeable impact even when they do not introduce major new features. Improved compatibility can mean fewer workarounds, crashes, and failed launches, particularly for games that have recently received their own updates.

Proton’s underlying technology continues to evolve

Valve has also updated several of the technologies that Proton relies on to run Windows software on Linux. These components work behind the scenes, but changes can significantly affect game compatibility and performance across supported hardware.

One notable update involves FEX, a technology that can help ARM-based hardware run software originally designed for x86 processors. This could become increasingly relevant as Valve explores hardware beyond the traditional x86-based Steam Deck platform.

The development is particularly interesting in the context of Valve’s upcoming Steam Frame, which is designed to combine virtual reality, PC gaming and streaming capabilities. Support for ARM-based hardware could become more important as Valve and other manufacturers experiment with different processor architectures and portable devices.

For current Steam Deck owners, however, the most immediate benefit of Proton 11.0-2 is simpler. The update is designed to restore or improve compatibility for games that have recently stopped working properly, while also fixing bugs in Proton itself.

The release demonstrates Valve’s continued effort to keep SteamOS viable as a gaming platform. As more Windows games become playable on Linux and a growing range of gaming hardware uses SteamOS or related technologies, regular Proton updates remain an important part of the platform’s development.