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Nowadays, what are the drawbacks and limitations of using Linux for gaming? What distro would you guys advise?

I feel like this is a question that might have been asked around and maybe there are guides around, but that’s a discussion that I’d like to have with the lot of you.

The context

Using Linux on both my work laptop and the Steam Deck has made me quite interested in a full switch to Linux - my other computer is a gaming desktop, which I use a lot for many things, but mostly for gaming. Getting used to Linux has made me quite more intolerant to all the BS Microsoft is pushing than I used to be, the latest one being forcing the users to switch from the older email client to the new Outlook, which has a big, nice ad banner that looks like an unread email. So I’ve began wondering: after all, why not? Why shouldn’t I embrace the penguin? Well, the answer is that I should not if there are too many hinders and drawbacks in using Linux, which would make me need a dual boot instead of a single OS install.

We all know gaming has long been one of the main limiting factors in switching, but the Deck has changed the whole landscape on that front. We’ve basically switched from “Windows is the only OS suitable for gaming” to “Linux is also viable”, and the Deck has been made that available to the general audience. Therefore, nowadays, how viable is Linux for a gaming computer? What are the limitations users will encounter? Would I be able to play all the games from my Steam, Epic and GOG library with a bit of tinkering, including the new releases?

The drawbacks of using Linux (or those that I can think of)

  1. Other gaming launchers support on Linux suck: GOG and Epic will work through Heroic Games but Activision/Blizzard, Ubisoft, EA and Rockstar games will all be a pain, or even not work at all. Is is true? Is there any way around that?
  2. No Microsoft GamePass. Or none that actually matters, as the only solution is to pay for the higher tier and stream the games - so no game actually runs on the desktop. No, thanks.
  3. Some DRM will prevent games from working, and this is especially true for games with heavy online content.
  4. NVIDIA support for Linux is far from being on-par with that on Windows, especially the open-source drivers. Is this still true?
  5. Many devices, especially those for gaming, might not have good (or even working) compatibility drivers for Linux. I know my UWQHD monitor works flawlessly on Windows, but requires quite a bit of tinkering on Ubuntu
  6. Newer games might not be optimized for Linux in the first place
  7. Tinkering is inevitable (as with any Linux computer, really)

What can we add?

The advantages (I can think of)

  1. It’s free
  2. It’s ad free
  3. Customization on Linux is awesome, and I might end up spending more time ricing, breaking it all and reinstalling than gaming (see also, previous section’s 7.)
  4. I will no longer be sending data to Microsoft

What else am I not thinking about?

What distro?

And finally, let’s say I make the switch. What Linux distro should I use? I’ve read a bit about Drauger, Ubuntu GamePack, or even Pop! OS with some manual setup. What do you guys think, and advise?

hitagi ,

I’m pretty sure the BattleNet client (Blizzard client) works. I’ve played Overwatch on Linux before. Not sure about the other launchers but if its a Steam game, generally launchers aren’t a big deal? Anti-cheat is usually the problem (e.g. Valorant).

I use NVIDIA on Linux and it’s really not bad at all. I have zero issues with it and I’m likely to stick with NVIDIA for production reasons (sorry AMD).

Some new games worked surprisingly well on Linux like Elden Ring after they fixed the anticheat issue. I heard it ran better than on Windows because of DXVK or something.

I’m going to suggest Linux Mint as a beginner distro. Maybe Arch/EndeavourOS but only because I think the AUR makes life so much easier.

SSUPII ,

As far as I know Rockstar’s luncher just works fine in Proton, no issues there.

DRM is not a problem anymore unless you pirate (anti-DRM modifications can break in Wine), but it is anti-cheats systems. Some games like Call of Duty Warzone, FIFa 23 and Destiny 2 don’t work because of it. (The last two only because they are programmed to not work on Linux voluntarely, Destiny 2 will ban every Steam account that connect via Proton)

Most devices work out of the box now, tinkering has reduced by a lot especially with easier distros.

hydroel OP ,

Indeed, I mixed up DRM and anti-cheat. On one hand, it’s really annoying, but on the other hand it’s really not the genre of games I play, so I wouldn’t be bothered with any of this.

I think Diablo IV and maybe even the Battle.NET launcher. for example, won’t work on Linux at all, won’t they?

SSUPII ,

The new Diablo works perfectly in Wine/Proton. Battle.NET has a chance to need some tinkering, but works. In case, there is an automated script to install multiple 3rd party launchers in Steam via Proton meant for the Steam Deck, but of course there is no reason they won’t work on a desktop Linux.

I don’t own Diablo, but I had to setup Battle.NET to install Heroes of the Storm. Can say there wasn’t much to talk about.

arefx ,

Battle net runs fine on steamos for me

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