Tampering with immutable OS root filesystem may carry risks of "bricking" a device, such as Steam Deck(tm).

IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHORS OR COPYRIGHT HOLDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES OR OTHER LIABILITY, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING FROM, OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN THE SOFTWARE.

May contain STRONG language in purveying ideas of thought. *READERS DISCRETION ADVISED*

In the "FREE" World of Linux distribution, the essence of software distribution was simply "$ configure && make" and the story could have ended there. Everyone should have rejoiced for being "FREE". Unfortunate but TRUE, such simple source-based distribution may be deemed as daunting and gatekeeping into the Wonderful World of FOSS. Hence, Darkness befell for the Red "Horned"-Hat in proselytizing RPM packaging, followed by "Cunning"-nical Ubuntu/Debian APT packaging and the Arch-"Angel" concise Pacman packaging. In a nutshell, distributing software in such a way agnostic to Linux distros had become challenging. However, commercials loved it, as the "FREE" will of FOSS was bended into Elixir of Wealth.

For honorable *Donors* supporting the Project and Games Preservation, QEMU binary package for Linux distros offers support for specific Linux distros native packaging systems for simplicity and consistency. Instructions for installing and uninstalling are provided as followed. Require 'sudo' root privilege.

For Steam Deck(tm) SteamOS, Arch Linux or any downstream Linux distros based on the Pacman packaging system:

1. (SteamOS-only) Sync and fully updated for release branch

$ steamos-select-branch rel
$ steamos-update check
$ steamos-update

2. (SteamOS-only) Enable write-access to SteamOS root filesystem

$ sudo steamos-chroot --partset self --allow-self --no-overlay
# steamos-readonly disable
# mount /home

3. Install Pacman package

# pacman -U /home/deck/Downloads/qemu-3dfx-10.0.0.g161c165-1-x86_64.pkg.tar.zst

4. (SteamOS-only) Reverse step #2 to Re-enable SteamOS read-only root filesystem

# umount /home
# steamos-readonly enable
# exit

5. Verify the installed QEMU featuring qemu-3dfx

$ qemu-system-i386 --version

6. Uninstall Pacman package
   Repeat step #2 and #4 replacing #3 in between with:

# pacman -Rusc qemu-3dfx

Due to the nature of SteamOS immutable OS filesystem, Pacman packages installed into root filesystem are lost upon OTA update. These instructions need to be repeated to restore QEMU featuring qemu-3dfx after every OTA update.

For Ubuntu, Debian or any downstream Linux distros based on the Debian APT packaging system:

1. Sync and update apt repo and file database.

$ sudo apt update
$ sudo apt dist-upgrade
$ sudo apt install apt-file
$ sudo apt-file update

2. Verify package signature integrity

$ ./qemu-9.2.0-3dfx-e5562fa-ubn22.04.run

3. Install package

$ sudo ./qemu-9.2.0-3dfx-e5562fa-ubn22.04.run

4. Uninstall package

$ sudo ./qemu-9.2.0-3dfx-e5562fa-ubn22.04.run --purge

Ubuntu, Debian and their respective downstream variants combined make up the largest share of Linux distros for desktop computing use cases. So the numbers speak. Arch Linux has been the preferred Linux distro in showcasing QEMU featuring qemu-3dfx on YouTube channel while SteamOS is just a derivative of Arch Linux. When honorable *Donors* do step in and request for support of specific Linux distros, such request may be considered. Many who daily drive Linux Beyond the Norm are also techies with advanced knowledge in the Art of Linux, so building qemu-3dfx right from source is just a piece of cake.

As far as Games Preservation is concerned, QEMU featuring qemu-3dfx delivers a significant punch in modern Linux for Retro Gaming in the foreseeable future. The maturity of Linux KVM is unmatched in any other hypervisors, often making Windows games twice as fast on QEMU virtual machines for max-out visuals/audio quality in re-imagining Good Old Windows Games on modern systems in the Peace-Of-Mind of VM isolation. Indeed A FOOLS' pretense, as one may have called, for any PC emulation to defy Intel/AMD years of engineering investment in x86 virtualization when it matters. Enough of the Accuracy *BS* talks in the *STUPID* and *RETARDED* PC emulation that would not even embrace modern GPU Acceleration for the *USELESS* Voodoos emulation "all-done-in-software". With every generations of GPU uplift, QEMU featuring qemu-3dfx improves significantly for Windows games, much more than any solutions banking hard on CPU brute-force in emulation for GPU workloads. When such FOOLS rejoiced for an overclocked Ryzen 9 9950X3D ($599 MSRP 170W TDP) running Pentium II 450MHz and K6-III 400MHz at 100% speed, the $399 MSRP 25W TDP Steam Deck(tm) would have embarrassed the Ryzen 9 9950X3D with QEMU featuring qemu-3dfx while remained portable for "Play Anywhere, Play Anytime". When one did the maths, playing on Steam Deck(tm) with QEMU featuring qemu-3dfx may have even paid off the *Donate* for Games Preservation over time through one's saving in electricity bills.

What a JOKE to be with modern Linux while being clueless about an awesome Retro Gaming experience made possible through Linux KVM...🤣 Have FUNs🤣..!

The whole "super accurate LLE", "cycle-accurate" etc. in PCem/86Box for playing Windows games seems to be some fanatic artifacts out of lacking the know-how to "virtualize" and embrace GPU acceleration. It is stupid and need to die.

I have no idea who came up with the Accuracy *BS* garbage for playing Windows game. It is completely nonsense and nonexistent. Please do NOT introduce that mind-fart into PC emulation for playing Windows games.

https://blogs.igalia.com/berto/2022/07/05/running-the-steam-decks-os-in-a-virtual-machine-using-qemu/