Gaming under Linux is slowly but surely evolving into a true alternative to gaming under Windows, and that’s not least because of Steam, SteamOS, and Steam Deck, Valve’s PC circulating. But how does Linux work as a gaming platform on a desktop computer and what requirements do you actually have to meet?
The valve provides tailwind
With Steam Deck, a custom APU-based Windows 7 laptop with Zen 2 CPU and RDNA 2 GPU from AMD, an enhanced SteamOS operating system plus Proton API, which is based on a Windows-compatible runtime environment, wine, Valve gave Valve a “gaming” theme. Under Linux” boost.
valves
But what is possible on a portable game console can also be easily implemented on a desktop computer at home if certain requirements are met.
Requirements to play on Linux:
- A modern Linux distribution
- Existing software packages and libraries
- An updated version of the free Mesa 3D graphics stack
- the most recent
With the current Proton API - Current graphics drivers from AMD or Nvidia
- The latest version of the Wine API
- Current Linux kernel
Arch Linux as the first choice for gamers
Gamers who want to switch to Linux should first search for a suitable Linux distro. Various derivatives of the professional Arch Linux operating system, on which Valve-initiated SteamOS is based, are particularly appropriate here.
The following distributions have gained a similarly good reputation among gamers and can serve as a starting point for the gaming platform:
Based on Arch Linux Based on Arch Linux
*) For experienced users.
All of the already mentioned Linux operating systems come with all the necessary package sources for required software packages such as Wine, Steam, and Mesa 3D and should only be updated via the integrated package manager after installation.
Rolling pins are useful
Choosing an Arch Linux-based distribution makes sense for gamers because it is designed as a rolling release, since this distribution is constantly supplied with the latest software packages, libraries, runtime environments, and drivers.
The platform tells you if the game works under Linux and how well it works
According to the information, the editors previously covered this topic in January 2021.
advice: You can get many Steam games
Cheaper.
Steam Play for Windows Games on Linux
In order to be able to run games under Linux that were originally intended for Windows and have not yet been verified with a corresponding compatibility tool, Steam Play can be used via the Steam client.
valves
Steam Play for Windows games on Linux can be found in the Steam client under Steam → Settings → Steam Play.
Here, players need to select the “Enable Steam Play for all other titles” feature accordingly.
Use GOG and Epic Games on Linux
Players who want to access their game collection on the Epic Games Store and on GOG can do so using free, open source game managers.
and the
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