Linux Gaming Just Got An Upgrade
If this title has somehow enticed you to read this article, I can assume that you, like me, are somewhat interested in PC gaming and that you are also somewhat interested in doing so on Linux. I guess that means I can also assume you know about Linux. This free alternative to other operating systems like MacOS and Windows is open-source, super secure, (mostly) efficient, and all around great. There has always been one caveat though - gaming. By far, developers seem to favor Windows as the operating system of choice on which to build their games, with MacOS coming in second. Linux users have been left high and dry, with few Linux ports of games and unstable software like WINE (in theory, WINE allows Windows software, including games, to be played on Linux) to rely on. But a recent announcement from Steam may offer a ray of hope for Linux gamers.
Steam has just released a new version of Steam Play on Linux, which uses a version of WINE called Proton made specifically for games, allowing Windows games to be played on Linux in a much e. If you've had any experience with WINE you know that even at it's best, users experience performance hits along with bugs that don't appear on Windows. WINE is also not for the faint of heart, as it can be difficult and confusing to configure correctly for each game played. With the new update to Steam Play, Proton is built right in allowing for easy use and, in theory, minor performance loss. Steam is also keeping an active list of games that have been tested with the new software, including which ones do well and which ones do not, along with any bugs that are encountered. You're always able to play games that have not yet been tested, but with varying results. Some have even reported losing their games saves when attempting this, so use at your own risk.
This is an exciting new leap in Linux gaming. I guess exciting is a relative term, but if you've read this far, I'm assuming you're excited too.
Steam has just released a new version of Steam Play on Linux, which uses a version of WINE called Proton made specifically for games, allowing Windows games to be played on Linux in a much e. If you've had any experience with WINE you know that even at it's best, users experience performance hits along with bugs that don't appear on Windows. WINE is also not for the faint of heart, as it can be difficult and confusing to configure correctly for each game played. With the new update to Steam Play, Proton is built right in allowing for easy use and, in theory, minor performance loss. Steam is also keeping an active list of games that have been tested with the new software, including which ones do well and which ones do not, along with any bugs that are encountered. You're always able to play games that have not yet been tested, but with varying results. Some have even reported losing their games saves when attempting this, so use at your own risk.
This is an exciting new leap in Linux gaming. I guess exciting is a relative term, but if you've read this far, I'm assuming you're excited too.
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