Beam Eye Tracker 2.6.3 Beta: Linux and macOS enter public beta

Native support for Linux and macOS is now available as a public beta. New Game Connection tab including an Optimized driver for a smoother experience. This version enables the new SDK 2.2.0. Linux and macOS spent a long time in private testing, and the beta is now open to everyone.

Were you testing the Linux private beta?

• Please switch to the Steam beta branch to continue receiving updates.
• We fixed the Link Camera Position Response to Head Orientation. It should make a big difference when it comes to how natural the controls feel. If you got used to playing without it, you can disable it in your Immersive Camera profile.
• Webcam management now uses stable V4L device paths, avoids duplicate camera entries, and lists the camera's available format, resolution, and frame rate options more reliably. You may be required to select your webcam again on first launch.
• Fixed hotkey recognition in some X11 display server setups.
• Improved Global Shortcut registration in Wayland.
• The Recenter Tracking Overlay should no longer minimize the game when the hotkey is pressed.

New Settings

• The Game Connection tab allows you to configure how Beam sends data to a game, with options including Head Tracking Device Emulation, UDP over Network and Through Opentrack Application.
• New Optimized driver for the Head Tracking Device Emulation option, which delivers a smoother experience, but some games are incompatible, for which you can use the Compatibility driver.
• The Recenter Tracking Overlay Shows On Top option has been replaced by a slider that configures its transparency. So you can choose exactly how much to see it during gameplay.

Compatibility Environments

• The Game Connection tab allows you to configure specific Compatibility Environments, like those created by Wine, Proton, CrossOver, etc.
• You can add custom environments as long as they are based on Wine and you provide the prefix and runner being used.

New Beam SDK 2.2.0

• Beam Eye Tracker version 2.6.3 brings support for the new SDK 2.2.0, with added native support for Linux and macOS.
• Beam SDK 2.2.0 requires a runtime plugin only available in Beam Eye Tracker 2.6.3 or above. This was designed to maximize future compatibility.
• Older Beam SDK versions will remain compatible with newer Beam Eye Tracker versions, but if you are using the Immersive Camera feature, it is strongly recommended to adopt version 2.2.0.
• New beta support for Godot and JavaScript and Python 3.14 support.
• For download and info, visit https://docs.beam.eyeware.tech

How to join the beta

Right-click Beam Eye Tracker in your Steam library, open Properties, go to Betas, and pick the beta branch from the dropdown. Steam downloads the beta build from there.

Thank you for your help so far with testing. Drop us a note on the Steam Community, join us in Discord or send us an email at [email protected] if you have feedback.