VKD3D-Proton 3.1, released on October 28, 2026, serves as a stable checkpoint for the open-source library that allows Windows Direct3D 12 games to run on Linux via Vulkan, preparing for the more significant upcoming changes in version 3.2. This release introduces new features such as VK_EXT_descriptor_heap support, DXR 1.2 ray tracing, and Shader Model 6.9, although the descriptor heap is not enabled by default due to driver quality concerns. The update is primarily focused on refining existing capabilities rather than introducing a slew of new features, with the intention of ensuring stability before the major overhaul in version 3.2. VKD3D-Proton's maintainer, Hans-Kristian Arntzen, has been instrumental in its development, and the community has responded positively to this latest release, reflecting the library's importance in enabling Linux gaming

VKD3D-Proton 3.1 Release: New Features, Fixes, and What's Coming in v3.2

VKD3D-Proton 3.1, the open-source library that lets Windows Direct3D 12 games run on Linux via Vulkan, was tagged on 28 October 2026 by maintainer Hans-Kristian Arntzen. Arntzen describes it as a deliberate "stable" checkpoint rather than a feature drop, existing mainly to set up the larger, riskier v3.2 release. It still lands key modern-DX12 capabilities including opt-in VK_EXT_descriptor_heap support, DXR 1.2 ray tracing, and Shader Model 6.9 with Shader Execution Reordering. The descriptor heap is intentionally held back from the default for now but is expected to enable by default in v3.2, which Arntzen calls "uncharted territory."

VKD3D-Proton 3.1 Release: New Features, Fixes, and What's Coming in v3.2 @ Linux Compatible