I know how to use Linux (my first distro was Slackware back in the late 90’s) and I like Linux for various things; I just don’t like it or want it for my daily use. All I really wanna do with my computer is play games. Maybe mod or make them. Every time I have tried gaming on Linux, I spend days doing all sorts of shit and in the end, I still can’t get what I was trying to work running.
If I was running servers for those games, on the other hand, I would want nothing but Linux. And I do so love being able to tweak and customize everything, which is why I try so very hard to get my normal gaming stuff working every once in a while on a Linux machine. I have yet to try Steam’s new ProtonOS that they use for the Deck (no SteamDeck). If I can put it on a desktop, I will have to try again.
You don’t need SteamOS, but you do need to enable Proton for all games.
Open Steam and click Steam on the menu bar (upper left corner) and click Settings.
1. Click Steam Play.
2. Check Enable Steam Play for supported titles.
3. Check Enable Steam Play for all other titles and select the Proton version you installed.
4. Press OK.
Proton is available in many Linux distros, from what I understand, it’s essentially a translation layer that incorporates many tools like WINE. It works pretty well. I am using Manjaro and have it configured with the KDE Plasma desktop environment, which is the same one that’s on the Steam Deck. It’s pretty nifty and handles a good 60-70% of the games that I frequently play.
I know how to use Linux (my first distro was Slackware back in the late 90’s) and I like Linux for various things; I just don’t like it or want it for my daily use. All I really wanna do with my computer is play games. Maybe mod or make them. Every time I have tried gaming on Linux, I spend days doing all sorts of shit and in the end, I still can’t get what I was trying to work running.
If I was running servers for those games, on the other hand, I would want nothing but Linux. And I do so love being able to tweak and customize everything, which is why I try so very hard to get my normal gaming stuff working every once in a while on a Linux machine. I have yet to try Steam’s new ProtonOS that they use for the Deck (no SteamDeck). If I can put it on a desktop, I will have to try again.
You don’t need SteamOS, but you do need to enable Proton for all games.
Open Steam and click Steam on the menu bar (upper left corner) and click Settings.
protondb.com has a list of supported titles
Proton is available in many Linux distros, from what I understand, it’s essentially a translation layer that incorporates many tools like WINE. It works pretty well. I am using Manjaro and have it configured with the KDE Plasma desktop environment, which is the same one that’s on the Steam Deck. It’s pretty nifty and handles a good 60-70% of the games that I frequently play.