12/11/2024 Major Update For The BeamMP Launcher
A mere 6 hours after creating this post a major update dropped for the BeamMP launcher providing full native support for Linux, but only for the uncompiled version. Unfortunately I can’t edit the post so I’ll provide instruction in this comment.
Ignore everything I said above, here all we need to do is compile the launcher so that’s what we’ll focus on.
!! Important for Steam Deck users !!
The general guide starts here
First you need to clone and set up the vcpkg dependency manager. Open the terminal and type these commands
git clone https://github.com/microsoft/vcpkg.git
cd vcpkg && ./bootstrap-vcpkg.sh --disableMetrics
Then run this command
export VCPKG_ROOT="~/vcpkg"
export PATH=$VCPKG_ROOT:$PATH
Now navigate back to the home folder
cd ~
check to make sure you have this dependency
make --version
If you get an error then you need to install it.
Run ONLY the command for your distro or derivative.
Debian sudo apt install build-essential
Fedora sudo dnf groupinstall "Development Tools"
Arch sudo pacman -S base-devel
Next install cmake. Again only use the command for your distro.
Debian sudo apt install cmake
Fedora sudo dnf install cmake
Arch sudo pacman -S cmake
Now with dependency hell out of the way, lets get to the fun stuff where you see lots of test fly up the terminal window like a real cool developer.
Using the terminal clone the BeamMP launcher repo
git clone --recurse-submodules https://github.com/BeamMP/BeamMP-Launcher.git
Navigate into the directory
cd BeamMP-Launcher
Then run this script
cmake -DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release . -B bin -DCMAKE_TOOLCHAIN_FILE="~/vcpkg/scripts/buildsystems/vcpkg.cmake" -DVCPKG_TARGET_TRIPLET=x64-linux
If all done correctly you should now see the glorious sight of mesmerizing text flying high up the terminal windows. If not and you didn’t install the package containing make, then do that now and rerun the command. If you did install the package and you still get an error, then I don’t know what you’re missing. Double check the commands you’re using and then request help here.
At last the final command (make sure terminal is in the BeamMP-Launcher directory).
cmake --build bin --parallel --config Release
One cool wall of text later and congratulations! you’ve successfully compiled the BeamMP launcher. It is located in ~/BeamMP-Launcher/bin/
This launcher can be run from anywhere and the folder of cache that it creates (also used for mods) is located at ~/.local/share/BeamNG.drive/
I hope this helps. Enjoy!