Linux Gaming
Ongoing coverage on Linux Gaming.
Latest coverage
Class Is in Session: GeForce NOW Levels Up Linux, Chromebooks and More
NVIDIA's GeForce NOW cloud gaming service has officially launched its native Linux application out of beta, offering improved performance and stability. The service also received optimizations for DLSS Frame Generation, reducing latency and enhancing responsiveness. Additionally, GeForce NOW is enhancing its accessibility on Chromebooks, allowing students to use their school devices for high-performance PC gaming, with eligible new owners receiving a free year of service through Chromebook Fast Pass.
Valve may be putting the finishing touches to the Steam Frame software stack, because Lepton and FEX are now on Steam
Valve has released Lepton and FEX software on Steam, key components for its upcoming Steam Frame wireless VR headset. Lepton enables Android games to run on Linux, while FEX translates x86 games for Arm-based systems like the Snapdragon SoC powering the Steam Frame. This suggests the headset's release may be imminent, with these tools now available for developers.
After 17 years, a developer has finally revived the dream of Hannah Montana Linux, an open source operating system…
Developer Noah Cagle has revived Hannah Montana Linux, an open-source operating system based on Debian and KDE Plasma. The updated OS features a pink and purple theme, custom icons, and a remastered wallpaper, aiming to be a fully functional daily driver. While capable of running games through compatibility layers like Proton, gaming on Linux is noted to be better with AMD GPUs due to Nvidia's driver support.
Valve's magical play-Windows-games-on-Linux tech is rebased, updated, and ready to play Resident Evil
Valve has released Proton 11, an updated version of its compatibility layer that allows Windows games to run on Linux platforms like the Steam Deck. Rebased on Wine 11, this update brings improved support for numerous games, including Resident Evil (1996), Resident Evil 2 (1998), Dino Crisis, and Metal Gear Survive, along with various bug fixes and enhancements.
There's a surprising amount of major games you can't play on Valve's Steam Machine - here are eight of the biggest, and why
Valve's Steam Machine, despite its potential, faces significant limitations due to its SteamOS (a Linux variant) not supporting many popular games. This is primarily caused by anti-cheat software, which is incompatible with Linux, rendering titles like Destiny 2, Fortnite, Battlefield 6, Apex Legends, GTA Online, EA Sports FC 24, and modern Call of Duty games unplayable. While installing Windows is an option, it defeats the purpose of the console-like device.
Proton-CachyOS update brings automatic HDR, Wayland improvements and more bug fixes
The community-developed compatibility layer Proton-CachyOS has released version 11.0-20260601, bringing automatic HDR detection and enablement, Wayland improvements, and various bug fixes for Windows games on Linux and SteamOS. This update is based on Valve's Proton Experimental and includes additional patches and features, such as automatic HDR detection and support for DLSS inputs for FSR4.
Steam Beta gets improved Pipewire session logic on Linux
A new Steam Beta update for Linux introduces improved Pipewire session logic, enhancing streaming and recording capabilities. This update also includes a new 100 Mbit/s bandwidth option for Remote Play and fixes a beta regression that caused some games to crash on startup.
Valve continue working towards the Steam Frame with a new SteamVR Beta
Valve has released a new SteamVR Beta update, version 2.17.1, which includes various fixes and improvements for VR games on Linux, user interface elements, and developer settings. The update also continues work towards the Steam Deck's SteamOS, with anticipation building for its summer launch and pricing details.
XBOX delays Fable to February 2027 to avoid Grand Theft Auto 6
The upcoming Fable reboot from Xbox Game Studios and Playground Games has been delayed to February 2027 to avoid direct competition with Grand Theft Auto 6. The game will receive a new look during the Xbox Games Showcase on June 7. The delay also provides additional time for Linux compatibility improvements via Proton.
Proton Experimental gets fixes for Subnautica 2, War Thunder, Far Cry 4 and more
Valve has released an update for Proton Experimental, bringing fixes for several games on Linux and SteamOS. The update addresses issues in Subnautica 2, War Thunder, Far Cry 4, STAR WARS Starfighter, Idle Iktah, and Squad. Proton Experimental serves as a testing ground for future stable Proton versions.
World of Tanks: HEAT released free on Steam and works on Linux / SteamOS
World of Tanks: HEAT, a free-to-play hero-driven tank action game, has launched on Steam and is compatible with Linux and SteamOS, earning a Steam Deck Verified rating. The game features cross-platform play across Steam, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and GeForce NOW. Despite a rough initial reception with mostly negative user reviews, Wargaming has confirmed the use of generative AI solely for development support, with all final content created by human developers.
Proton-CachyOS adds low latency layer and Discord rich presence support
Proton-CachyOS version 11.0-20260519 has been released, introducing support for a new open-source low-latency layer and Discord Rich Presence integration. This update includes fixes for color management, mouse pointer warping, and video playback, along with improvements to Wine and updated patches from Proton Experimental Bleeding Edge.
Unreal Engine 6 revealed with a major Rocket League upgrade - the teaser concerns me
Epic Games has revealed Unreal Engine 6, showcased with an upgrade to Rocket League, currently built on Unreal Engine 3. Concerns have been raised that Rocket League might be bundled with other games like Fortnite in a launcher, potentially impacting Linux compatibility due to anti-cheat measures.
Guide: Anticheat check - which competitive games actually work on Linux?
This guide details which competitive games with anti-cheat software are compatible with Linux and SteamOS. It aims to help users transitioning from Windows by outlining playable titles and providing necessary information for a smooth gaming experience on alternative operating systems.
Forza Horizon 6 is out, Valve update Proton Hotfix for Linux - initial thoughts
Forza Horizon 6 has launched on PC and is playable on Linux via Valve's Proton Hotfix, which has been updated to address initial issues. While the game runs well on high settings on desktop PCs, Linux users on Steam Deck experience performance drops and stuttering, requiring significant setting adjustments for a smoother experience. Despite some visual glitches and AI concerns, the game is stable and visually impressive on Linux.
Proton is getting some "horrible" workarounds for Forza Horizon 6 on Linux
Forza Horizon 6 is experiencing significant compatibility issues on Linux, with developer Hans-Kristian Arntzen describing the situation as "extremely broken" and requiring "horrible" workarounds. Reports on ProtonDB and GitHub indicate widespread problems for Linux and Steam Deck users, suggesting a potential Proton Experimental update or hotfix from Valve may be necessary.
LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight, Forza Horizon 6 and Subnautica 2 get Steam Deck Verified
Several upcoming games, including LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight, Forza Horizon 6, and Subnautica 2, have received Steam Deck Verified status. This indicates they are expected to run smoothly on Valve's handheld PC. The article also mentions other games that have recently passed Valve's verification process.
Proton Experimental gets fixes for Rocket League, Crimson Desert, Helldivers 2 and more
Valve has released a new update for Proton Experimental, bringing fixes for several games including Rocket League, Crimson Desert, and Helldivers 2, improving their performance and stability on Linux and SteamOS. The update also addresses regressions found in Proton 11 beta and ensures continued compatibility with Easy Anti-Cheat for games like Rocket League.
D7VK 1.9 brings 2D upgrades for classic Direct3D games on Linux
D7VK version 1.9 introduces significant upgrades for classic 2D Direct3D games on Linux, improving performance, rendering accuracy, GPU usage, and frametime consistency. This release enhances 2D/3D interoperability with features like delayed image uploads and dirty tracking, fixing over 30 issues and improving compatibility for titles such as Dungeon Keeper 2, Anno 1503, and Gothic 1/2.
VKD3D-Proton 3.0.1 brings many Linux gaming enhancements for Direct3D 12 via Vulkan
VKD3D-Proton version 3.0.1 has been released, offering significant enhancements for running Direct3D 12 games on Linux via Vulkan. This update includes fixes and improvements for various titles like Death Stranding 2 and Crimson Desert, experimental support for D3D12 view instancing, and performance optimizations, particularly for mobile chips. This release is noted as likely the last before support for VK_EXT_descriptor_heap is integrated.
