Gaming on Linux
Linux gaming has come incredibly far in recent years. What was once a niche activity with limited options has become a viable primary gaming platform.
Why Linux for Gaming?
- It’s my primary OS - I use Linux for development, so having games work natively means one OS for everything
- Proton is amazing - Valve’s compatibility layer runs most Windows games seamlessly
- Steam Deck effect - Valve’s handheld runs Linux, so developers are testing on Proton more
- Privacy and control - No telemetry, no forced updates, my computer does what I tell it
The Stack
Distro
Running a stable distribution that doesn’t break with updates. Gaming needs reliability.
Graphics Drivers
- NVIDIA proprietary drivers (necessary evil)
- Mesa for AMD would be nicer but NVIDIA has the GPU
Gaming Platforms
- Steam - Native client, Proton for Windows games
- Heroic Launcher - Epic and GOG games with Proton
- Lutris - Everything else
Proton Variants
- Proton - Valve’s official builds
- Proton-GE - Community builds with extra patches
- Wine-GE - For non-Steam games
Game Compatibility
Most games work now. The exceptions are:
- Games with kernel-level anti-cheat (some are enabling it)
- Some very new releases (give it a few days)
- Games with aggressive DRM
ProtonDB is invaluable for checking compatibility.
Tips and Tricks
Performance
- Enable gamemode for CPU scheduling
- MangoHud for performance overlay
- FSR for upscaling on supported games
- Proper shader cache location on fast storage
Troubleshooting
- Check ProtonDB for game-specific tweaks
- Try different Proton versions
- Custom launch options when needed
- Verify game files after Proton updates
The Experience
Day-to-day, gaming on Linux feels normal now. Launch Steam, click play, game runs. Most of the time I don’t even think about it running through a compatibility layer.