Unreal Tournament 3 on Linux: Notes & Tips

**Game Information**
Title	Unreal Tournament III
Year	2007
Developer	Epic Games, Inc., Psyonix, Inc.
Graphics API	DirectX 9
Audio API	OpenAL (EAX 5), DirectSound (no EAX)

Requirements

Wine/Proton: Proton 9.0‑4 (selected by Valve)
DXVK: 2.5.1 (selected by Valve, latest version recommended)
OpenAL Soft: Custom UT3 build
Openspy Patch: Required to play online
UT3 Titan Pack: Recommended expansion (included in the Black Edition)

Preparing the Game

Run UT3 once via Steam so that configuration files are created.
Locate the game folder:

  * Steam version path: ~/.steam/steam/steamapps/compatdata/13210

Installing OpenAL Soft

Download the UT3‑OpenAL archive from GitHub.
Copy OpenAL32.dll into the game folder → Binaries.
From the archive, take the contents of the OpenAL-44100Hz folder and paste them into the %appdata% of the Wine prefix.

  * Path: ~/.steam/steam/steamapps/compatdata/13210/pfx/drive_c/users/steamuser/AppData/Roaming/

Configuring UT3 to Use OpenAL Soft

Navigate to: pfx/drive_c/users/steamuser/My Documents/My Games/Unreal Tournament 3/UTGame/Config/
Open UTEngine.ini.
Find the section: [ALAudio.ALAudioDevice]
Change the line: DeviceName=OpenAL Soft
Add DLL override for openal32 in Wine configuration - Libraries. You can open this dialog with Protontricks.

Wine need to load the openal32 library inside the game folder

Upgrade DXVK

Is possible to run the game with a more recent version of DXVK by copying the d3d9.dll library into the game folder → Binaries.

Online Play

Install the Openspy Patch to restore online functionality.
Patch available at: PCGamingWiki Community

Tips

Disable Bloom and Depth of Field: These post‑processing effects can cause blurriness and reduce clarity. Turning them off provides a sharper, cleaner image overall.

PhysX Mod

Download from Nvidia

Source: The Unreal Tournament 3 PhysX content was distributed by Nvidia as part of the Graphics Plus/GeForce Power Pack downloads. Use Nvidia’s official download pages to obtain the UT3 PhysX pack installer (MSI).

Install in a clean Wine prefix

Create prefix: Make a new, empty Wine prefix (32‑bit is fine).
Run installer: Launch the PhysX MSI inside this clean prefix. Proton/Steam prefixes often hang during the installer; the clean prefix usually completes successfully.
Verify output: After installation, confirm the installer created PhysX maps/content under:
- pfx/drive_c/users/steamuser/My Documents/My Games/Unreal Tournament 3/UTGame/Published/CookedPC/
- Look for a new CustomMaps folder and PhysX‑labeled map files.

Copy mod files into the Steam Proton prefix

Paths: Copy the entire CustomMaps folder from the clean Wine prefix into your Steam Proton prefix at the same location:
- ~/.steam/steam/steamapps/compatdata/13210/pfx/drive_c/users/steamuser/My Documents/My Games/Unreal Tournament 3/UTGame/Published/CookedPC/
No registry changes needed: The UT3 PhysX content is map assets; copying the files is sufficient. You do not need to install the MSI inside the Proton prefix.

Launching PhysX maps in UT3

Start UT3 via Steam: Run the game normally.
Find maps: PhysX maps will appear in your map list (often with “PhysX” in the name).
If missing: Ensure the copied files are under Published/CookedPC/CustomMaps and not nested incorrectly. Restart the game to refresh the cache.

Notes and troubleshooting

Installer hangs in Proton: This is a known issue; use the clean Wine prefix method above, then copy files.
Download location changes: Nvidia’s “Graphics Plus/Power Pack” pages have moved over time; if one link is unavailable, try the other official Nvidia download page for the UT3 PhysX pack.

Error during setup of PhysX mod when installing on a Steam Proton prefix

Final Notes

With Proton, DXVK, and OpenAL Soft properly configured, Unreal Tournament 3 runs smoothly on Linux with full audio support and online play restored. Don’t forget to install the Titan Pack for extra content!

Reference Links

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=230642515