Linux has experienced a remarkable evolution in the gaming sector over recent years. Once perceived as a complex and limited platform, it has emerged as a credible alternative to the longstanding dominance of Microsoft in the realm of PC gaming. With tools like Proton and Bazzite, alongside a passionate community of Linux enthusiasts, the number of games that remain unplayable on Linux has dwindled significantly.
Despite these advancements, the reality is that gaming on Linux still faces hurdles. While it is feasible to use Linux as a primary gaming platform, numerous challenges persist that prevent it from becoming the go-to destination for gamers. The progress made in companion applications has been commendable, yet the overall experience still leaves much to be desired compared to its competitors.
A history of building a walled garden
The journey of PC gaming is intricate. Although computer games predate the advent of consoles, it was the latter that shaped the landscape of gaming as we know it today. Throughout the 1980s, personal computers were not particularly recognized for their gaming capabilities; that honor belonged to consoles. Early machines like the Commodore 64 stood out, but most consumers purchased PCs for purposes beyond gaming. This narrative shifted in the early 1990s with the introduction of the Intel 80386 processor, which enabled PCs to deliver superior speed and graphics compared to consoles. The release of Doom in 1993 marked a pivotal moment for PC gaming, showcasing experiences unavailable on consoles.
Microsoft, with its MS-DOS platform, recognized the potential of PC gaming and sought to create a competitive gaming environment. However, the transition to Windows 95 posed challenges for game developers due to compatibility issues and the loss of direct hardware access that DOS provided. In response, three Microsoft employees developed DirectX, a solution aimed at bridging the gap between game developers and the Windows platform.
DirectX’s introduction allowed game developers to harness the advanced features of video cards, paving the way for a new era of gaming on Windows. Microsoft’s commitment to DirectX and the subsequent investment in PC gaming infrastructure solidified Windows as the primary platform for gamers. This shift inadvertently created a walled garden, where developers and hardware manufacturers focused predominantly on Windows, leaving Linux to carve out a niche in commercial settings, primarily due to its cost-effectiveness and flexibility.
It’s not Linux; it’s Windows on Linux
The rise of Linux as a gaming platform has largely been facilitated by the ability to run Windows API calls on Linux, particularly through Valve’s Proton. This innovative tool transformed Wine, a general-purpose translation layer, into a gaming-centric solution. Over a span of six years, Proton has significantly improved game compatibility on Linux, although some limitations remain, especially with titles employing anti-cheat measures.
While Proton enables many Windows games to function on Linux, it does not create native Linux versions. This distinction is crucial, as it highlights the ongoing challenge Linux faces in establishing itself as a primary gaming platform. The overwhelming majority of software development continues to prioritize Windows, leaving Linux at a disadvantage.
Furthermore, while Linux supports drivers for AMD and Nvidia graphics cards, essential software like Nvidia’s app and Radeon Software are conspicuously absent, limiting access to advanced features such as DLSS and FSR. Although applications like Discord are available on Linux, users frequently encounter issues that do not arise on Windows. The absence of popular tools like MSI Afterburner and RivaTuner Statistics Server further complicates the gaming experience on Linux, necessitating the use of less familiar alternatives.
Understanding what Linux is up against
It is essential to acknowledge the significant strides Linux has made in gaming, thanks to the dedication of the open-source community. However, the platform contends with over three decades of development that has predominantly favored Windows. Despite the advancements brought by Proton and the contributions of countless developers, the shift towards Linux as a mainstream gaming platform remains slow. Currently, Windows holds over a 95% share in the Steam hardware survey, while Linux accounts for a mere 2.69%. This stark contrast underscores the challenges Linux faces in gaining traction among gamers.
For those who choose Linux as their primary gaming platform, it is a testament to their patience and commitment. The small yet passionate community has been instrumental in fostering the progress seen thus far. However, it is crucial to recognize that this evolution is not a matter of months or years, but rather a gradual journey spanning decades. While Linux gaming is undoubtedly in its best shape to date, it may still be some time before it can rival Windows as the preferred destination for PC gaming.
