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A new open source project, d7vk, aims to bring Direct3D 7 games to Linux via a Vulkan-based translation layer built on dxvk, the compatibility tech used in Valve’s Proton. Author WinterSnowfall says it won’t be merged into dxvk but will offer familiar per game profiles, adding another option alongside Wine’s longstanding WineD3D support. After recent tuning, performance ranges from decent to stellar in many titles, though full compatibility is unlikely. With over 400 D3D7 games listed, from Escape from Monkey Island to Hitman, the project targets a long overlooked slice of PC history.

Prepared by Jonathan Pierce and reviewed by editorial team.