Virtual machines in the Limbo environment
Virtual machines in the Limbo environment
You're exploring a creative way to run multiple games simultaneously. It's definitely possible with advanced setups using virtualization and networking. Running a virtual machine to host Diablo 3 or similar games, while also connecting a display output to a specific VM so others can join, is technically feasible. However, the setup would require careful planning for performance, stability, and compatibility. It might sound complex, but with the right tools and configuration, it's achievable.
The details would impress us, showing just how excessive everything can be...
You’d need ESXi with hardware passthrough for each VM to have its own GPU. Otherwise, relying on a virtual GPU with limited VRAM (128MB) and 3D acceleration isn’t ideal—it’s not very reliable. The setup would include an 8-core Xeon workstation motherboard, compatible with ESXi, and 16GB RAM. You’d install four low-end graphics cards as a bare minimum to run the game. Ideally, create four virtual machines; each would have two physical cores, 4GB RAM, plus a dedicated GPU. Use a 4-port KVM switch and four monitors for full control. Alternatively, remote desktop could work but wouldn’t provide a smooth experience.
It's certainly possible, but it wouldn't work well for gaming currently. Even with GPU pass-through enabled, some performance drops will still occur due to background processes. With a powerful system and proper configuration, many issues could be reduced. This seems like an exciting project worth testing.
I have a working demonstration with KVM that I’m currently using, even though I only have one GPU sent into a guest. Gaming performance on Windows is decent but there’s a clear performance hit. Windows compatibility with KVM appears limited, and it doesn’t match the experience in Linux guests. ESX might handle this better. Ideally you could include as many GPUs as the system supports and route each to a guest. You can also link specific USB devices (inputs and maybe audio) to guests for a more complete setup. While desktop components work, VT-d support on the CPU and motherboard is essential.