this post was submitted on 12 Jul 2025
60 points (96.9% liked)

Linux Gaming

20008 readers
92 users here now

Discussions and news about gaming on the GNU/Linux family of operating systems (including the Steam Deck). Potentially a $HOME away from home for disgruntled /r/linux_gaming denizens of the redditarian demesne.

This page can be subscribed to via RSS.

Original /r/linux_gaming pengwing by uoou.

No memes/shitposts/low-effort posts, please.

Resources

WWW:

Discord:

IRC:

Matrix:

Telegram:

founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
monolalia@lemmy.world
60
Linux gaming for a non-technical person? (sh.itjust.works)
submitted 1 day ago by grueling_spool@sh.itjust.works to c/linux_gaming@lemmy.world
51 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

I'm putting together a gaming system for the kind of person who needs help if their TV is set to the wrong input. Obviously I'm committing myself to providing a certain amount of tech support no matter what, but I'm wondering if any of these modern Linux distros can provide a user experience at least on par with Windows in terms of ease of use and reliability for someone who doesn't know how to do much more than check their email and log in to Steam.

So far, I've looked at Bazzite, Cachy, Nobara, and PopOS based on what I commonly see recommended here. I'm leaning toward Bazzite based on its stated goal of being friendly to Linux newcomers, and the quality and amount of available documentation. Are there any other distros I've missed, or other considerations that might sway my preference?

I'd also like to hear about your subjective experiences with Linux gaming:

  1. What distro are you using for gaming?
  2. How long have you used it?
  3. How often have you had issues that require Linux knowledge and/or searching the web to solve?
  4. Have you had any other minor/annoying complaints?
you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] Ulrich@feddit.org 10 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

If you've used a Steam Deck, you've used Bazzite (for all intents and purposes). If you can use a game console, you can use Bazzite. That's pretty much the entire purpose of SteamOS; making PC gaming stupid easy.

Caveats:

  1. if you want to use anything other than Steam, it quickly becomes more complicated.

  2. If you want to play competitive multiplayer games, many of them block Linux users.

  3. If you want to use any peripherals besides KBM or controller, such as flight sticks or steering wheels, that also can be complicated.

[–] grueling_spool@sh.itjust.works 4 points 1 day ago (2 children)

The person in question loves their Steam Deck, but occasionally wants to play a game that requires a little more processing power. My first thought when I started researching was to check whether SteamOS was generally available for PCs (sadly, it's not).

Have you used Bazzite for long?

[–] Ulrich@feddit.org 5 points 1 day ago

I've been using Bazzite for about a year and ChimeraOS for a couple of years before that (very similar but Arch-based). It's great.

[–] highball@lemmy.world 4 points 1 day ago

If they like how SteamOS worked, then go with Bazzite. I've used Linux for nearly 3 decades now. At the end of the day, we could nickle and dime the differences and the pros and cons. I don't think it's worth it. Bazzite will be familiar enough, and you can add Bottles to handle other game launchers. That will give you the most kitchen appliance like device.