Linux gaming

Winsage
December 26, 2025
A new runtime standby ABI has been proposed in the Linux kernel community through a post-Christmas patch series led by Antheas Kapenekakis. This initiative aims to implement a feature similar to Microsoft's "Modern Standby," allowing devices to maintain network connectivity while appearing to be in a sleep state. The patches provide a more robust solution than previous efforts, enabling user-space control over ACPI LPS0 display notifications. The series introduces a mechanism for firing Modern Standby firmware notifications without suspending the kernel, allowing the device to appear asleep while still performing basic computations. The first part of the series modifies the existing DSMs to be called at the beginning of the suspend sequence and exposes a transition function through /sys/power/standby for user-space interaction. The RFC patch series, including documentation on the proposed interface, is available for review.
Winsage
December 5, 2025
The shift from Windows to Linux, particularly with SteamOS, has increased interest in Linux testing among gamers. After three weeks of testing the Bazzite distribution, initial GPU results were obtained, revealing various issues such as crashes and lengthy shader compilation times. Bazzite was chosen for its popularity and developer engagement, offering two main versions: NVIDIA and non-NVIDIA, both with pre-installed drivers. The testing methodology was sensitive to change and not directly comparable to Windows due to different measurement tools. Benchmarking results showed that the RTX 5090 achieved an average of 176 FPS in Dragon’s Dogma 2 at 1080p, while performance disparities were noted in Black Myth: Wukong, where NVIDIA cards struggled with consistency. AMD GPUs often outperformed NVIDIA counterparts in several titles, indicating that while high-end NVIDIA hardware is capable, the Linux software environment may not fully utilize its potential. Ray tracing benchmarks in Cyberpunk 2077 also highlighted inconsistencies in performance. Overall, the Linux gaming environment is evolving, with expectations for improved compatibility and performance in the future.
AppWizard
December 4, 2025
Valve has been funding the open-source emulator FEX since its inception, which enables Windows games to run on ARM Linux devices. FEX recently celebrated its seventh anniversary and acknowledged Valve's crucial support. Pierre-Loup Griffais, a software engineer at Valve, stated that all core FEX developers have been funded by Valve, highlighting the project's significance for the gaming ecosystem and SteamOS. Griffais expressed optimism about the future of FEX, anticipating nearly a decade of development before it becomes reliable for widespread use. He emphasized the goal of providing a consistent gaming experience across different architectures without users needing to worry about compatibility. Valve's tools, including Proton, Lepton, and FEX, are expected to enhance the gaming experience, with a focus on living room, handheld, and desktop devices.
Winsage
November 5, 2025
Linux has reached 3.05% of all Steam users, up from approximately 2% last year. Windows' share has declined from around 95% to 94.84%, while macOS holds 2.11%. SteamOS accounts for about 27% of all Linux installations on Steam, aided by the popularity of the Steam Deck. Although SteamOS faces limitations with competitive multiplayer games due to a lack of support for kernel-level anti-cheat systems, nearly 90% of Steam's game library is accessible on Linux through Proton. Despite Linux's gains, Windows remains the dominant platform with nearly 95% market share.
Winsage
October 29, 2025
Recent data indicates that nearly 90% of Windows games can now launch on Linux, particularly through SteamOS, marking a significant advancement in Linux gaming compatibility. However, games with kernel-level anti-cheat systems, such as the Call of Duty series and EA's Battlefield 6, remain incompatible with Linux. Some titles, like Helldivers 2 and Splitgate 2, have successfully integrated anti-cheat systems that work on Linux. The reliance on kernel-level anti-cheat has raised concerns about security vulnerabilities and gaming performance, as it restricts legitimate gamers while failing to effectively combat cheating.
Winsage
October 15, 2025
Commodore has launched a free, Linux-based operating system called Commodore OS Vision 3.0 as an alternative to Windows 10, which will no longer receive updates or support after October 14, 2025. The OS features a unique interface that combines retro aesthetics with modern usability and includes a 35GB download with over 200 free Linux-compatible games, classic Commodore titles, and an enhanced BASIC interpreter supporting 3D graphics. Additionally, Commodore OS Central will serve as a hub for retro resources and plans to develop into a community-driven game store. Users can find installation guides and engage in discussions on the official forums.
AppWizard
July 21, 2025
PC gaming has experienced a notable shift due to the rise of Linux, particularly with the introduction of Valve's Steam Deck in mid-2021. The Steam Deck, built on a Linux foundation and utilizing Valve's Proton compatibility layer, has broadened the compatibility of games on Linux, allowing users to enjoy titles without dual-booting systems. This device has popularized handheld PC gaming, prompting other manufacturers to create similar devices. The Steam Deck's modest hardware has led to a trend of optimization among developers, resulting in better performance on lower-end systems. Valve's SteamOS has improved the user interface for both Linux and Windows users, making PC gaming more accessible. However, a significant challenge remains with anti-cheat software, which is difficult to implement across various Linux distributions. Despite this, the state of Linux gaming is strong for single-player experiences, and Valve is exploring solutions to enhance competitive gaming on Linux.
AppWizard
July 7, 2025
Steam is a leading online gaming storefront that offers a user-friendly interface, seasonal deals, and the ability to connect with friends while streaming games. The author began using Steam in 2011, purchasing titles like the Stronghold Collection, Terraria, and Skyrim, and has accumulated over 5,000 hours of gameplay across more than 300 games. Initially, the author primarily used Windows for gaming due to compatibility issues with Linux, but the introduction of Proton has allowed access to most of their Steam library on Linux. Valve, the company behind Steam, has developed iconic games like Portal and DOTA 2, supported indie developers, and contributed to gaming technology advancements. The launch of the Steam Deck has further enhanced Linux gaming support.
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