I feel like this is a question that might have been asked around and maybe there are guides around, but that’s a discussion that I’d like to have with the lot of you.
The context
Using Linux on both my work laptop and the Steam Deck has made me quite interested in a full switch to Linux - my other computer is a gaming desktop, which I use a lot for many things, but mostly for gaming. Getting used to Linux has made me quite more intolerant to all the BS Microsoft is pushing than I used to be, the latest one being forcing the users to switch from the older email client to the new Outlook, which has a big, nice ad banner that looks like an unread email. So I’ve began wondering: after all, why not? Why shouldn’t I embrace the penguin? Well, the answer is that I should not if there are too many hinders and drawbacks in using Linux, which would make me need a dual boot instead of a single OS install.
We all know gaming has long been one of the main limiting factors in switching, but the Deck has changed the whole landscape on that front. We’ve basically switched from “Windows is the only OS suitable for gaming” to “Linux is also viable”, and the Deck has been made that available to the general audience. Therefore, nowadays, how viable is Linux for a gaming computer? What are the limitations users will encounter? Would I be able to play all the games from my Steam, Epic and GOG library with a bit of tinkering, including the new releases?
The drawbacks of using Linux (or those that I can think of)
Other gaming launchers support on Linux suck: GOG and Epic will work through Heroic Games but Activision/Blizzard, Ubisoft, EA and Rockstar games will all be a pain, or even not work at all. Is is true? Is there any way around that?
No Microsoft GamePass. Or none that actually matters, as the only solution is to pay for the higher tier and stream the games - so no game actually runs on the desktop. No, thanks.
Some DRM will prevent games from working, and this is especially true for games with heavy online content.
NVIDIA support for Linux is far from being on-par with that on Windows, especially the open-source drivers. Is this still true?
Many devices, especially those for gaming, might not have good (or even working) compatibility drivers for Linux. I know my UWQHD monitor works flawlessly on Windows, but requires quite a bit of tinkering on Ubuntu
Newer games might not be optimized for Linux in the first place
Tinkering is inevitable (as with any Linux computer, really)
What can we add?
The advantages (I can think of)
It’s free
It’s ad free
Customization on Linux is awesome, and I might end up spending more time ricing, breaking it all and reinstalling than gaming (see also, previous section’s 7.)
I will no longer be sending data to Microsoft
What else am I not thinking about?
What distro?
And finally, let’s say I make the switch. What Linux distro should I use? I’ve read a bit about Drauger, Ubuntu GamePack, or even Pop! OS with some manual setup. What do you guys think, and advise?
I’ve never used those other launchers (I just buy from Steam), but I know at least Ubisoft works through Steam, so it should work reasonably well through WINE
This is essentially the same as 3, Gamepass is a huge pile of DRM
True, though more work than most expect
NVIDIA support is fine if you use the proprietary drivers, which are usually packaged on most distros; I used NVIDIA for gaming for ~10 years on Linux without issues, though I’m now on AMD for Wayland support
I haven’t had any issues for the last 10 years out so, at least not any more than on Windows; that said, I make sure to only buy Intel network cards (eliminates most headaches) and tend to avoid bleeding edge tech (too expensive and buggy, even on Windows)
True, though look at Ratchet & Clank on Steam Deck, it’s essentially Day 1 support; that has been the case more often than not lately, Valve is killing it
Not really; I don’t tinker much because I just don’t have the time for it anymore; I have three kids, a full-time job, and I only get a few hours each week to play games; if a game requires tinkering to work, I bail and tag it with “Technical Issues” in Steam; I think I have 5 games there, and at least one has moved out just by trying again a year or so later
To be fair, I’m coming at this from the perspective of a patient gamer. I generally play older SP games (rarely play MP), wait to upgrade hardware (recently bought a 5600 and 6650XT to upgrade my 1700 and 960GTX), and am pretty technically inclined (I’m a SW dev by day, and have used Linux exclusively for ~15 years).
For me, Windows is unacceptable, and macOS is too limiting for hardware choices (and I just don’t like it; I’ve used macOS at work for 2 years and still dislike it).
So instead of discussing native advantages of Linux, I’ll list things I’m glad I don’t have to deal with on Windows:
I control my updates, and can update my OS while using it
the OS doesn’t need a ton of disk space
no licensing nonsense, so I can keep my same install going even if I drastically change hardware (I upgraded my CPU and mobo, and I didn’t need to do anything but bring my old drive along)
most software can be installed using the package manager or FlatPak, on Windows and macOS, there’s very little consistency
pretty much no viruses; Linux isn’t a big target, so it’s just not something I worry about; and installing through the package manager eliminates most threats
no spying/telemetry in the OS, and no privacy settings I feel I need to tweak
no bloatware, if a distro has stuff I don’t like, I can pick one that doesn’t
full disk encryption is a thing, including the boot partition; on Windows, the boot partition isn’t encrypted even with “full disk” encryption with bitlocker
command line is really useful, but you don’t need it for gaming
lots of game servers run on Linux, so you can learn to self-host or run something for a local LAN if you want; not sure if that’s a thing on Windows
For me, Linux solves my non-gaming problems much better than Windows, and I fundamentally disagree with how Windows works so I refuse to use it for gaming. But even for people who aren’t like me, Linux is a pretty good option with few downsides, provided you don’t need something specific to run (e.g. that one MP game you play all the time). If you can be a little flexible, Linux offers a ton of choice and even more freedom.
Edit: As for distro, just try stuff. I think Mint is decent, so I tend to recommend it, but I use OpenSUSE Tumbleweed myself (also recommended). There’s not a ton of difference when it comes to running games for most distros, so pick one that seems to have decent community support and have fun! You can always change later, I’ve used several (Ubuntu, Fedora, Arch, OpenSUSE Leap, Debian, probably others).
For the drawbacks:
To be fair, I’m coming at this from the perspective of a patient gamer. I generally play older SP games (rarely play MP), wait to upgrade hardware (recently bought a 5600 and 6650XT to upgrade my 1700 and 960GTX), and am pretty technically inclined (I’m a SW dev by day, and have used Linux exclusively for ~15 years).
For me, Windows is unacceptable, and macOS is too limiting for hardware choices (and I just don’t like it; I’ve used macOS at work for 2 years and still dislike it).
So instead of discussing native advantages of Linux, I’ll list things I’m glad I don’t have to deal with on Windows:
For me, Linux solves my non-gaming problems much better than Windows, and I fundamentally disagree with how Windows works so I refuse to use it for gaming. But even for people who aren’t like me, Linux is a pretty good option with few downsides, provided you don’t need something specific to run (e.g. that one MP game you play all the time). If you can be a little flexible, Linux offers a ton of choice and even more freedom.
Edit: As for distro, just try stuff. I think Mint is decent, so I tend to recommend it, but I use OpenSUSE Tumbleweed myself (also recommended). There’s not a ton of difference when it comes to running games for most distros, so pick one that seems to have decent community support and have fun! You can always change later, I’ve used several (Ubuntu, Fedora, Arch, OpenSUSE Leap, Debian, probably others).