Proton
Ongoing coverage on Proton.
Latest coverage
Cave Story+ 2026 major update out now - Native Linux version dropped
The action-adventure platformer Cave Story+ has received a major update, "Cave Story+ Update 2026," which adds a 2-player mode, mod support, and enhanced visuals, bringing PC version in line with console ports. However, the native Linux version has been removed, requiring users to utilize Proton via Steam. Valve's Steam Deck compatibility rating will need re-evaluation for this updated version.
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.
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.
If you value your free time don't install the Pegs X Stickers demo
Pegs X Stickers is a new game that combines pachinko mechanics with roguelite elements, featuring a demo available now that runs well on Proton and is advertised for the Steam Deck. The game involves building custom boards with various pegs and stickers to maximize scores through physics-based interactions and unlockable upgrades. The developer warns that the demo is highly addictive and can consume a lot of free time.
Rocket League adds Easy Anti-Cheat with Steam Deck / Linux still supported
Psyonix has implemented Epic's Easy Anti-Cheat into Rocket League, ensuring continued support for Steam Deck and Linux users. While a native Linux version was discontinued in 2020, Valve's Proton compatibility layer has allowed the game to run on these platforms. The update also brings several community-requested features directly into the game, though it disables most third-party mods.
Proton Experimental updated to get Crimson Desert working again on Linux / SteamOS
Valve has updated Proton Experimental to resolve issues preventing Crimson Desert from launching on Linux and SteamOS. This fix ensures Crimson Desert uses Proton Experimental by default, though users can manually select it. The update also adds support for "Plain Sight" and follows recent patches for Proton Hotfix and the EA App.
Proton Hotfix updated to fix HELLDIVERS 2 on Linux / SteamOS systems
A Proton Hotfix has been deployed by Valve to address issues with HELLDIVERS 2 on Linux and SteamOS systems following a recent game update. The hotfix, developed by Pierre-Loup Griffais, ensures the game now launches correctly after an update that had previously broken compatibility for Linux players. Proton Hotfix is now the default for HELLDIVERS 2.
43% of you have, or will be switching to gaming on Linux this year, but more surprising than that over a quarter of you…
A poll indicates that 29% of respondents have switched to gaming on Linux, with an additional 14% planning to do so this year, largely due to Valve's Steam Deck and the Proton compatibility layer. Key barriers to wider adoption include issues with kernel-level anti-cheat support in multiplayer games.
Linux smashes past 5% on the Steam Survey for the first time
Linux has surpassed 5% of users on the Steam Hardware & Software Survey for March 2026, marking a new all-time high. This growth is attributed to Valve's efforts with Proton, SteamOS, and the Steam Deck. The survey also detailed the top Linux distributions, with SteamOS Holo and an unnamed distribution showing significant usage.
NVIDIA driver 595.58.03 released as the big new recommended stable driver for Linux
NVIDIA has released driver version 595.58.03 as the latest recommended stable driver for Linux users. This update includes new features like the VK_EXT_descriptor_heap Vulkan extension, which may improve performance for Windows games played via Proton. The release also incorporates numerous bug fixes addressing issues with compositors, display wake-up, kernel crashes, and VRR flickering.
D7VK version 1.5 brings Direct3D 3 support via Vulkan on Linux
The D7VK project has released version 1.5, adding support for Direct3D 3 via Vulkan on Linux, bringing the total supported Direct3D versions to 3, 5, 6, and 7 for use with Wine and Proton. This update includes significant improvements and fixes for various games, such as implementing execute buffers and back buffer/depth write backs, which resolve issues in titles like Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire and SimCity 4.
NVIDIA Beta driver 595.45.04 released for Linux - looks to be an exciting one
NVIDIA has released Beta driver version 595.45.04 for Linux, introducing support for new Vulkan extensions like VK_EXT_descriptor_heap, which may improve performance for Windows games running via Proton. The update also includes various bug fixes and improvements for stability and compatibility with technologies like Wayland and X11.
D7VK version 1.4 brings further enhancements for older Direct3D via Vulkan
D7VK version 1.4 has been released, bringing further enhancements for Direct3D 5, 6, and 7 via Vulkan for use with Wine and Proton. This update introduces support for color key transparency, fixing graphical artifacts in numerous older games. It also improves compatibility with legacy DirectDraw, making titles like Plants vs Zombies and Re-Volt playable, and addresses various other rendering and stability issues.
NVIDIA hiring Linux driver engineers to help with Vulkan, Proton and more
NVIDIA is actively hiring Linux driver engineers to improve Linux gaming performance, particularly focusing on Vulkan and Proton titles. The job listings highlight roles involving diagnosing performance bottlenecks and developing high-performance binary translation solutions for x86 emulation on ARM64 platforms.