For several weeks now, my gaming experience on Linux has been nothing short of delightful. However, potential users might want to tread carefully before making the switch. With Windows 10 set to lose support this October, gaming PC owners face a pivotal choice: remain on Windows 10, upgrade to Windows 11, or venture into the world of Linux. I opted for Linux this year and have found it to be a refreshing change, particularly with Ubuntu, a free and open-source distribution that is free from the bloatware often associated with Windows.
If you’re contemplating adding Linux to your gaming PC, you may hesitate at the thought of limited native game support. Fortunately, thanks to robust compatibility tools like Wine and Steam’s Proton, most Windows games can be played on Linux. After installing Steam on Linux, enabling Proton is a breeze. Simply navigate to your Steam settings, select “Compatibility,” and check “Enable Steam Play for all other titles.” This activates Proton, which acts as a translator between your Windows games and the Linux operating system, ensuring a seamless gaming experience.
Performance with Proton can vary, but if you’re curious about how specific games will fare, the Proton database offers a helpful ranking system from “Borked” to “Platinum.” While Steam has embraced Linux, many other game stores, such as Epic Games and GOG, do not support it. However, the Heroic Games Launcher serves as a free alternative, allowing users to access and run games from these platforms effortlessly. This launcher also incorporates Wine, ensuring that most Windows titles can run smoothly on Linux.
Avowed to Valheim: What runs great on Linux
My experience with Ubuntu has been overwhelmingly positive; I have yet to encounter a game in my library that doesn’t perform as well as it did on Windows 10. Most of my titles are single-player, co-op, or indie games, which tend to run exceptionally well. From Avowed and Monster Hunter Wilds to Dredge and Fields of Mistria, I’ve experienced minimal issues—any hiccups were easily resolved by adjusting the Proton version in my compatibility settings.
Moreover, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that many of my games, such as Sid Meier’s Civilization VI and Valheim, have native Linux support. The gap between Windows and Linux game libraries is narrowing, thanks in part to the Steam Deck, which operates on Valve’s custom Linux version, SteamOS. Valve’s commitment to improving the Linux gaming experience, particularly through Proton, has resulted in a stable and smooth gameplay experience for most Steam titles. The Steam overlay and social features function flawlessly on Linux as well.
For those who primarily enjoy single-player and co-op games, the Linux experience is generally trouble-free. Titles like Avowed, Valheim, and Dredge deliver stable performance and good frame rates, with few compatibility issues. However, a significant drawback remains for many gamers.
The one critical flaw holding back Linux gaming
While single-player and co-op games shine on Linux, the platform does have notable limitations that could deter players. The most significant issue is the lack of support for many MMORPGs and competitive multiplayer games, which often rely on kernel-level anti-cheat systems that are incompatible with Linux. As of 2025, these anti-cheat programs cannot function effectively within the Linux environment, leaving titles like Fortnite and Valorant unplayable. I encountered a compatibility warning while attempting to install Fortnite, highlighting this challenge.
Although a few competitive multiplayer games, such as Counter Strike 2, DOTA 2, and Warframe, offer Linux support, this is not guaranteed as long as kernel-level anti-cheat remains a concern. For example, EA discontinued Linux support for Apex Legends in 2024, citing difficulties in monitoring for cheats. While I personally do not engage with these types of games, I understand why their absence on Linux is a significant barrier for many potential users.
Additionally, the lack of support for accessory applications like SteelSeries GG and Razer Synapse presents another hurdle. Although my gaming peripherals have been plug-and-play on Linux, the software typically used to customize settings and lighting is unavailable. Fortunately, open-source alternatives like OpenRGB and OpenRazer exist, but they may take time to catch up with new devices, which can be frustrating for users.
Is Linux great for gaming yet?
As we look ahead to 2025, gaming on Linux can indeed be a rewarding experience, yet significant gaps remain. The lack of compatibility for games requiring anti-cheat systems excludes a large segment of the PC gaming community. Ironically, the very open-source and decentralized nature of Linux, often seen as an advantage, complicates the resolution of the anti-cheat dilemma.
With Windows 10 nearing its end-of-life, many may consider transitioning to Linux instead of upgrading to Windows 11. While my journey with Linux has been enjoyable, it may not suit everyone. Users must be prepared for some troubleshooting and be willing to forgo most competitive multiplayer games. For those looking to reduce their time in titles like League or Fortnite, this may be a worthwhile trade-off. However, for many gamers, these limitations make Linux a less appealing option compared to Windows.
Linux gaming has made significant strides and could serve as a viable alternative to Windows 11 for certain players, but there remains a considerable distance to cover before it can match the ease of gaming on Windows.
