Trying Linux gaming & never looking back. Proton is amazing.
I took the dive into Linux gaming at the start of the year and never switched back to windows. It’s so much better for everything and Steams work on big picture has let me turn my PC into the Linux console of my dreams since the steam machine vaporware days.
Additionally the ease of use of using Linux vs windows for gaming has gotten me to start using my pc for local coop a lot more. I’ve had so much more success using multiple controllers with Linux than windows.
My biggest worry, like anyone’s, was that I would feel limited by the games I can play. I’ve honestly started to try even more games since I’ve had better experiences with switch emulators on Linux (Yuzu my baby). Sometimes a newer game won’t let me use the latest version of DLSS my GPU supports but that doesn’t make a game unplayable, I just don’t get max graphics/ performance.
The only game I can’t play is rocket league. But I can only blame Epic for actively breaking the game on Linux.
Yesterday I went and got a pcie nvme adapter (my two motherboard slots are taken up by windows+gaming drive). Added in a 2TB to the adapter and installed Garuda linux - based on Arch.
So far it has been great. A couple little things popped up, like adding panels to the other two side monitors. But quick searches online and everything has been working very smoothly. I even put chrome on for work stuff so I don't have to use the company-given laptop. -- Side note, if anyone knows of a way to container that chrome install so work stuff is super separate, please share. --
Like another comment mentioned, some games won't work either because of anti-cheat that isn't enabled for linux, or just not good proton support. But for the most part I can still play 90% of the games I normally do: DRG, CS2, Darktide, battlebit, etc. Hopefully the times I need to reboot into windows are rare, because this has been a great experience. Way better than years ago when I tried to make the switch but gaming support just wasn't where I needed it.