Gaming on Linux

When you think about gaming, the first platforms that often come to mind are Windows, consoles, or perhaps macOS. Historically, Linux has been seen as a less suitable option for gaming due to limited software support and hardware compatibility. However, in recent years, gaming on Linux has undergone a remarkable transformation. With advancements in compatibility layers, improvements in hardware drivers, and the support of major gaming platforms, Linux is emerging as a legitimate option for gamers.

In this blog post, we’ll explore the current state of gaming on Linux, the platforms that support it, how to optimize your system for gaming, and the software and tools that can help make your gaming experience smoother. By the end of this guide, you’ll see that gaming on Linux is not only possible but can offer a powerful and enjoyable alternative to other operating systems.

The Rise of Gaming on Linux

For many years, Linux wasn’t the go-to operating system for gamers. Its lack of native support for popular titles, hardware drivers, and game engines created an environment where most gamers stuck with Windows or consoles. However, a combination of factors has changed this perception, most notably:

• Proton and Steam Play: One of the biggest developments came from Valve Corporation, which created Proton, a compatibility layer based on Wine. Proton allows many Windows-only games to run on Linux through Steam Play. With Proton, thousands of Windows games can now be played on Linux without needing the user to tinker with complicated setups.
• Native Linux Support from Developers: Over the last decade, more game developers have been offering native Linux support. Indie developers, in particular, have embraced Linux due to its open-source nature and lower barrier to port games.
• Hardware Compatibility: GPU manufacturers like NVIDIA and AMD have improved their driver support for Linux, bringing more competitive performance to the platform.
• Vulkan API: The development of the Vulkan graphics API has boosted gaming on Linux by offering high performance with lower overhead, providing better support for modern gaming than the older OpenGL standard.

Gaming Platforms on Linux

To start gaming on Linux, it’s important to understand the platforms and services that provide games. Thankfully, several major platforms now support Linux natively or through compatibility layers.

1. Steam

Steam is by far the largest and most popular platform for PC gaming, and its support for Linux is strong. Steam introduced Steam Play, a feature that allows users to play Windows-exclusive games on Linux using Proton.

• Native Linux Games: Steam offers a wide selection of games that run natively on Linux. When browsing the Steam store, you can filter for games that have native Linux support, with titles ranging from Dota 2, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, and Rocket League to popular indie games like Hollow Knight and Celeste.
• Steam Play and Proton: Proton allows Linux users to play many Windows-exclusive games. Popular titles like The Witcher 3, Dark Souls III, and even the latest releases such as Cyberpunk 2077 can often be played with minimal issues. You can enable Steam Play in the settings and play a vast library of Windows games.
• Performance: In some cases, performance using Proton can be close to native or even better than running the game on Windows, thanks to the efficient Vulkan API.

2. Lutris

Lutris is a game management platform for Linux that supports games from multiple sources, including Steam, GOG, Battle.net, Origin, and even emulators. It acts as a central hub to manage your games, regardless of where they were purchased or how they run.

• Wine Integration: Lutris uses Wine to run Windows games on Linux and provides pre-configured scripts for many games, making the installation process much easier.
• Retro Gaming: If you’re a fan of retro games, Lutris has excellent support for emulators, allowing you to run classic console games from platforms like the PlayStation, GameCube, and Sega Genesis directly from Linux.
• GOG and Other Platforms: Lutris also integrates with GOG (Good Old Games), a DRM-free platform with a vast selection of both modern and classic games. Even though GOG doesn’t natively support Linux as well as Steam does, Lutris can manage and run many GOG games seamlessly.

3. Heroic Games Launcher

The Heroic Games Launcher is an open-source alternative to the Epic Games Launcher, which lacks official Linux support. Heroic allows users to access their Epic Games library and play games on Linux using Wine, Proton, or native Linux versions where available.

• Easy Access to Epic Games: Many Epic Games Store exclusives can be played on Linux through Heroic, which automatically configures Proton or Wine to run the games smoothly.

Native Linux Games: A Growing Library

As mentioned earlier, many games now run natively on Linux without needing compatibility layers like Proton or Wine. Here are a few popular native Linux games worth checking out:

1. Dota 2

One of the biggest MOBA (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena) games, Dota 2, runs natively on Linux. It’s one of Valve’s flagship games, and its Linux version performs excellently, even on lower-end hardware.

2. Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS: GO)

Another competitive multiplayer game from Valve, CS: GO, runs smoothly on Linux and enjoys frequent updates. Its competitive nature and vast esports community make it a great choice for Linux gamers.

3. 0 A.D.

This open-source real-time strategy game is a free alternative to titles like Age of Empires and runs natively on Linux. 0 A.D. is a historically-based game with deep mechanics, beautiful graphics, and regular updates from the community.

4. SuperTuxKart

For a lighter, more casual experience, SuperTuxKart is a fun, free racing game featuring the Linux mascot Tux. It offers both single-player and multiplayer modes and provides a polished and enjoyable experience.

Optimizing Linux for Gaming

To ensure you get the best performance while gaming on Linux, it’s important to optimize your system. Here are a few ways to do so:

1. Choose the Right Distribution (Distro)

Not all Linux distributions are built with gaming in mind. For beginners or those focused on gaming, distributions like Ubuntu, Pop!_OS, and Manjaro are recommended. These distros provide great hardware compatibility, up-to-date software, and easy access to drivers and gaming platforms.

• Pop!_OS is particularly popular due to its excellent out-of-the-box support for gaming hardware like NVIDIA GPUs and its easy-to-use interface.
• Manjaro offers rolling releases, meaning you’ll always have access to the latest drivers and software, which can be crucial for gamers.

2. Install the Right Drivers

Having the correct GPU drivers is essential for gaming performance on Linux. Most distros offer easy installation of proprietary drivers for NVIDIA and AMD cards. For NVIDIA, the NVIDIA proprietary driver generally offers better performance than the open-source Nouveau driver.

• For NVIDIA: Install the latest proprietary drivers using your distro’s package manager.
• For AMD: AMD’s open-source Mesa drivers are excellent and usually pre-installed on most distributions.

3. Enable Vulkan

As mentioned earlier, Vulkan is a high-performance graphics API that is well-supported on Linux and provides significant performance improvements for many games. Ensure your system has Vulkan installed, especially if you’re running modern games or using Proton. You can install Vulkan using your package manager or check that your GPU drivers support it.

4. Tweak Settings for Better Performance

Some games may require additional tweaking to run smoothly on Linux. For instance, adjusting Proton settings in Steam, enabling VSync, or lowering the resolution can improve performance on certain titles. Tools like MangoHUD can provide real-time performance statistics such as FPS, CPU, and GPU usage, allowing you to fine-tune your system for the best results.

5. Use Game Mode

Some distros or tools, like GameMode from Feral Interactive, can optimize your Linux system for gaming by adjusting CPU performance, disabling background services, and enhancing system resource allocation while gaming.

Challenges of Gaming on Linux

While Linux gaming has made significant strides, there are still a few challenges to consider:

• Anti-Cheat Software: Some popular online games like Fortnite and Valorant use anti-cheat systems that are not compatible with Proton or Wine, making them unplayable on Linux. However, Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC) and BattlEye have made recent moves to support Linux, so the future looks promising.
• Fewer AAA Titles: Although many Windows games are playable via Proton, there are still fewer AAA titles with native Linux support. Indie games, however, have far better support, and some major publishers like Feral Interactive port AAA games to Linux.

Conclusion: Is Linux Ready for Gaming?

The short answer is yes—Linux is more than ready for gaming. With support from major platforms like Steam and Epic Games, a growing library of native Linux games, and compatibility tools like Proton, Linux is no longer a niche platform for gamers. The performance improvements brought by Vulkan, better hardware compatibility, and the availability of tools like Lutris make gaming on Linux easier than ever.

For gamers who want more control over their system, the open-source nature of Linux offers unparalleled customization. While there are still challenges, especially with certain anti-cheat systems, the future of gaming on Linux is bright. Whether you’re a casual gamer or a hardcore enthusiast, you’ll find that Linux can meet—and often exceed—your gaming expectations.