Canonical will drop some 32-bit packages in Ubuntu 20.xx: good news for gamers

Canonical Ubuntu (logos)

Canoncial said it would withdraw support for 32-bit packages on its Ubuntu, but the community got on it a bit because there were still many users who depended on these types of packages. It is true that it is the tendency of most developers to abandon the old packages to focus efforts on the modern ones. But the 32-bit seems like it will be difficult to forget ...

After the complaints, Canonical pondered and said it would drop support on Ubuntu 19.xx and that it would remove it in Ubuntu 20.xx. After this small truce or delay in the cessation of these types of packages, now it seems that Canonical will take it even more calmly and will leave some 32-bit packages even in Ubuntu 20 and beyond. Some like Valve said that if they did not maintain the support they would leave the platform, and the gaming world is still very dependent on this in many older games.

Now it is known that in Ubuntu 20.04 there will still be 32-bit packages, but it will be a somewhat shorter list, leaving those that are abandoned without maintenance and that can cause security and stability issues for the distro. That is, if you keep the packages happy to many users, but you also generate other problems. Containers could gradually solve these problems. I hope a good compromise is found.

If you would like to see the full list of 32-bit packages that will be available you can see it here. But I already anticipate that gamers are in luck. The gaming world will continue to have packages such as the Unity and Godot graphics engines, some other drivers, and also SDL 2, Wine, DXVK, Steam, MESA packages, etc. That is, most of the critical packages that many feared.

How will it affect you? The truth is that if you have a computer with a 64-bit chip and you are not too dependent on that software, it will not affect you at all. If you are dependent on a 32-bit package that is not listed, consider looking for a 64-bit alternative ...


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