VM adds too much overhead for anything near modern, even if modern VM integration does add GPU drivers that act as a bridge for 3D acceleration. But SteamOS and Steamdeck are great examples of how far gaming has come in Linux, it’s no longer something just on the fringe.
I sort of do agree with your last comment. I tried to introduce several family members, and their take was basically that, why bother with something that seemed as unfamiliar as Linux for something they were already used to using. And if you try to use it at work, you are going to have to end up installing a Windows VM most of the time for most jobs. Monopolies be like that.