[8.0] Loading screen during gameplay happens too often - Workaround.

[rudi_pioneer]

This started with 8.0 - loading screen (Timelines one in this case) happens during gameplay when i wouldn't expect it, and feels very jarring.

To reproduce:

1. Fresh start, Uncocooned (Hyperion start, i think other starts are fine too)
2. Sit in pilot chair (if not already)
3. Press CTRL+D to stand up - Timelines loading screen shows up (100% reproducible here)

Other cases:

1. use middle mouse button to look around when flying (not always reproducible, maybe loading screen flashes when too many assets need to load?)
2. if game is in borderless window mode, focusing on OS taskbar to change volume and back to game will both flash loading screen

Dxdiag: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/pfqufonb ... lzbfn&dl=0
Game version: 8.0 hotfix 1 (issue started since 8.0)
OS: Ubuntu 25.04 (nothing custom, basic install)
Hardware: 9800X3D, AMD 9070

[CBJ]

It sounds like the drivers are detecting a device change when there isn't one. There seem to be a lot of issues with the drivers for the new AMD 90x0 series graphics cards, and this would seem to be another symptom of that. I would suggest reporting it to AMD.

[rudi_pioneer]

It sounds like the drivers are detecting a device change when there isn't one. There seem to be a lot of issues with the drivers for the new AMD 90x0 series graphics cards, and this would seem to be another symptom of that. I would suggest reporting it to AMD.

Thank you, that helps! Sounds like what I should do it:

- keep checking for driver updates
- report to AMD
- but mostly just wait it out, since issue not on our end?

[CBJ]

Does it also do it in normal windowed mode? Normally windowed mode would make it less likely, as long as you don't resize the window.

It's unlikely to be an issue at our end, or it would be happening to more people and on a wide range of hardware. Never say never, though.

[rudi_pioneer]

Does it also do it in normal windowed mode? Normally windowed mode would make it less likely, as long as you don't resize the window.

It's unlikely to be an issue at our end, or it would be happening to more people and on a wide range of hardware. Never say never, though.

Thank you! That solved it, here's what i found out:

- windowed - issue doesn't happen at all!

and then i tried:

- full screen - issue doesn't happen either!

So, only happens in borderless window. I'll try full screen then, i forgot even why i started using borderless window to begin with.

(I do see loading screen show up when i go to OS taskbar to change volume, but that's a non-issue since it's infrequent)

[Nosocalypse]

Are you using Wayland? This problems exists when (and because) cursor changes. X11 have no such issue, but it is deprecated, so it's still a problem.

Does it also do it in normal windowed mode? Normally windowed mode would make it less likely, as long as you don't resize the window.

It's unlikely to be an issue at our end, or it would be happening to more people and on a wide range of hardware. Never say never, though.

Tumbleweed, Wayland, Mesa drivers, rx6700xt - the same issue. Are you sure cursor rendering wasn't changed in 8.0+?

[rudi_pioneer]

Yup on Wayland! I think it’s new default since last OS update, since I don’t remember deliberately switching to it from X11.

[Nosocalypse]

I think cursor changing might look like loss of focus for the game.

Maybe it have something to do with alleged anti focus-stealing measures in major desktop environments.

Or maybe it's just a cursor is not grabbed properly by the game.


UPDATE:

It's the cursor.

This worked for me, but I've lost VRR.

>
gamemoderun gamescope -W 2560 -H 1440 -r 60 -f --force-grab-cursor -- %command%

[torrmercury]

Just another note that this issue is happening for me too. Also solved with gamescope like in the post above mine.

[rudi_pioneer]

On bazzite this issue is so severe that I never get past splash screen - however gamescope fixed it! (I didn’t do command before gamescope and skipped refresh rate update)

[rudi_pioneer]

Update: with KDE Plasma, running this with steam helps "SDL_VIDEO_MINIMIZE_ON_FOCUS_LOSS=0 %command%" - i don't fully understand what it does, but issue is mostly gone!

[Artan]

Hi,

Same issue here on X4 steam version.

AMD 5600X/6900XT
Cachyos, kernel 6.18.5, mesa 25.3.3, kde plasma 6.5.5
Fedora 43, kernel 6.18.5, mesa 25.2.7, kde plasma 6.5.5

A loading screen appears for just 1, 2 seconds when:
- I sit down in a ship (but not when I stand up)
- I open the map while standing (but not when I'm sitting in the ship)
- I open the transporter room console
- I open the menu with the Esc key while standing (but not when I am sitting in the ship)

Via Gamescope it's OK (but VRR doesn't work very well because as soon as I move the mouse cursor, the refresh rate goes to maximum).
gamescope -W 2560 -H 1440 -f --adaptive-sync --force-grab-cursor -- %command% -nosoundthrottle -nocputhrottle -skipintro

Workaround :

Create window rules on kde plasma for X4 :

1. Size force to 2560x1439 (1 pixel less than your resolution)
2. Fullscreen force to yes

X4 native linux version :
Borderless in game options.
Positive points : alt tab ok, vrr ok
Tradeoff : not the same perfornance level as the proton version

X4 proton version :
Fullscreen in game options.
Positive points : best performances, vrr ok
Tradeoff : In borderless mode, alt tab is broken/unusable. In fullscreen, when alt tab, the game is minimized.

EDIT (6 Ja 26) : Thx to a ulterno post in Linux support thread (Sun, 30. Nov 25, 05:53), I was able to find a workaround via kde plasma windows rules
EDIT (7 Ja 26) : Removal of unnecessary window rules.
EDIT (17 Ja 26) : Formatting change
EDIT (18 Ja 26) : Same on Fedora 43 KDE