Linux and macOS

Ascendara runs on Linux and macOS as well as Windows. Most games in the index are Windows games, so on Linux and macOS they run through a compatibility layer. Windows is still recommended for the best experience: when you first launch Ascendara on another platform, it shows a compatibility notice, and some features are Windows-only.

To install Ascendara, see Installing Ascendara.

Linux

On Linux, Windows games run through UMU-Launcher, Proton, or Wine. Native Linux executables run directly.

Recommended Setup

During the welcome setup, Ascendara checks which tools you have and offers to install:

• UMU-Launcher: Runs games inside Steam's Linux Runtime container, the same way Steam does, and applies game-specific fixes (Protonfixes) automatically. Without it, some games may crash at startup.
• Proton CachyOS (recommended) or Proton-GE: Custom Proton builds with extra patches, DXVK, VKD3D-Proton, and FSR support for the best Windows game compatibility.

Proton found in your Steam installation also works with UMU. You can skip this step and install the tools later in Settings.

How Ascendara Chooses a Runner

When you play a Windows game:

1. If UMU-Launcher is installed, the game runs through umu-run. Ascendara passes your selected Proton build, or lets UMU use UMU-Proton automatically if none is selected. Visual C++ redistributables are installed into the game's prefix automatically.
2. Without UMU-Launcher, the game runs directly with Proton (proton run).
3. If no Proton build is found, the game runs with Wine.

Default Runner in Settings is set to Auto-detect (Recommended), which uses the first Proton build Ascendara finds, then Wine. You can choose a specific runner or select a custom one.

Compatibility Settings

In Settings, the Linux compatibility section lets you:

• See the Detected Runners and where each comes from (Steam, System, or Custom)
• Choose the Default Runner
• Download, update, or reinstall Proton CachyOS, Proton-GE, UMU-Proton, and UMU-Launcher
• View the available Proton launch options, such as PROTON_ENABLE_WAYLAND, FSR, DLSS upgrades, or PROTON_LOG, and copy them into a game's launch options

Per-Game Options

On a game's page:

• UMU ID: Links the game to its Protonfixes entry so the right fixes are applied. Ascendara tries to detect it automatically; you can look up IDs in the UMU database and set one manually.
• Launch Options: Steam-style launch options work, including environment variables such as PROTON_LOG=1 %command%.
• Reset Compatibility Prefix: Deletes the game's Windows prefix (its configuration, DLLs, registry entries, and temporary files) to start fresh. Your save files may be lost if they're stored inside the prefix, so back them up first.

Linux Files

Ascendara stores its Linux tools and prefixes in ~/.ascendara:

Settings are stored in ~/.config/ascendara/ascendarasettings.json.

macOS

Native macOS executables and .app bundles can be selected for games and run directly. How Windows games run depends on your Mac.

Apple Silicon: Highball

On Apple Silicon Macs, Ascendara runs Windows games with Highball, a free and open source project bundled with the app. Highball translates Windows and DirectX into macOS and Metal. You don't need to install Wine or Homebrew.

The compatibility files download automatically the first time you play a Windows game, or you can download them during the welcome setup or from Settings → Compatibility. Rosetta 2 is required and is installed during setup; macOS may ask for your password.

In Settings → Compatibility you can choose:

• Graphics translator: Automatic (DXMT) works for most games. If a game shows a black screen or closes right away, try another one:
  • DXMT (DirectX 10/11)
  • D3DMetal (DirectX 11/12, Apple): often the fastest for newer games. It's part of Apple's Game Porting Toolkit, so you need to accept Apple's license (personal, non-commercial use) before enabling it.
  • DXVK (DirectX 9/10/11)
  • VKD3D (DirectX 12)
  • WineD3D: the slowest but most compatible
• Game environment: One shared environment for all games is faster to set up. Separate environment per game keeps games from affecting each other.

Each game's settings can override the graphics translator, open its environment folder, or Reset its environment. Resetting recreates the environment the next time you play.

Game pages and search results show a Mac compatibility rating, based on Highball's compatibility list and community reports. Games with kernel anti-cheat, or that the publisher blocks, can't run on a Mac at all, and Ascendara warns you before you download one.

Compatibility files and environments are stored in ~/Library/Application Support/ascendara/highball/.

Intel Macs

On Intel Macs, Windows games run through Wine installed on your system. During the welcome setup, Ascendara can install Wine through Homebrew, which must already be installed. If setup asks for a password, run brew install --cask wine-stable in Terminal, then select Check again. You can also choose System Wine on Apple Silicon instead of Highball. Game compatibility under Wine varies from game to game.

Not Available on macOS

• Proton and UMU-Launcher (Linux only)
• Switching between app branches (Live, Public Testing, Experimental)
• The Workshop Downloader (SteamCMD)
• Windows game dependency installers and Defender protection
• Importing from launchers other than Steam

Torrent downloads still require qBittorrent with its Web UI enabled. Ludusavi for game backups is downloaded by Ascendara, or Ascendara uses a ludusavi binary on your PATH.

Settings are stored in ~/Library/Application Support/ascendara/ascendarasettings.json.

Features That Are Windows-Only

On both Linux and macOS:

• Protect Directories from Defender
• Game dependencies installer (on Linux, UMU-Launcher installs Visual C++ redistributables into each game's prefix, and Protonfixes handles other missing components)
• Version rollback in the System Center
• Desktop and Start Menu shortcuts
• Importing from Epic Games, GOG Galaxy, Ubisoft Connect, and Battle.net (Steam import works everywhere). See Importing Games.

Troubleshooting

"No Compatibility Tool Detected"

Install Proton CachyOS or Proton-GE and UMU-Launcher from Settings, or install Wine with your package manager.

A Game Crashes at Launch on Linux

• Install UMU-Launcher if it isn't installed.
• Set the game's UMU ID so Protonfixes are applied.
• Try a different Proton build as the default runner.
• Reset the game's compatibility prefix.

Games Don't Start on macOS

• Check the game's Mac compatibility rating. Some games can't run on a Mac under any compatibility layer.
• On Apple Silicon, try a different Graphics translator for the game, then Reset its environment.
• On Intel Macs, make sure Wine is installed and works from Terminal (wine --version).