Already gaming on Linux, but I have not tried third party tools and this article's explanation of how to is pretty useful for if I ever do. As well as the explanation on why you need compatibility tools in the first place. I have just always taken "the exact software for one OS might not immediately run on the other" as a given. (In other words, I might as well be a newbie given how much I know: not everything the article had.) Thanks for sharing!
this post was submitted on 05 May 2025
199 points (98.1% liked)
Games
40590 readers
850 users here now
Welcome to the largest gaming community on Lemmy! Discussion for all kinds of games. Video games, tabletop games, card games etc.
Rules
1. Submissions have to be related to games
Video games, tabletop, or otherwise. Posts not related to games will be deleted.
This community is focused on games, of all kinds. Any news item or discussion should be related to gaming in some way.
2. No bigotry or harassment, be civil
No bigotry, hardline stance. Try not to get too heated when entering into a discussion or debate.
We are here to talk and discuss about one of our passions, not fight or be exposed to hate. Posts or responses that are hateful will be deleted to keep the atmosphere good. If repeatedly violated, not only will the comment be deleted but a ban will be handed out as well. We judge each case individually.
3. No excessive self-promotion
Try to keep it to 10% self-promotion / 90% other stuff in your post history.
This is to prevent people from posting for the sole purpose of promoting their own website or social media account.
4. Stay on-topic; no memes, funny videos, giveaways, reposts, or low-effort posts
This community is mostly for discussion and news. Remember to search for the thing you're submitting before posting to see if it's already been posted.
We want to keep the quality of posts high. Therefore, memes, funny videos, low-effort posts and reposts are not allowed. We prohibit giveaways because we cannot be sure that the person holding the giveaway will actually do what they promise.
5. Mark Spoilers and NSFW
Make sure to mark your stuff or it may be removed.
No one wants to be spoiled. Therefore, always mark spoilers. Similarly mark NSFW, in case anyone is browsing in a public space or at work.
6. No linking to piracy
Don't share it here, there are other places to find it. Discussion of piracy is fine.
We don't want us moderators or the admins of lemmy.world to get in trouble for linking to piracy. Therefore, any link to piracy will be removed. Discussion of it is of course allowed.
Authorized Regular Threads
Related communities
PM a mod to add your own
Video games
Generic
- !gaming@Lemmy.world: Our sister community, focused on PC and console gaming. Meme are allowed.
- !photomode@feddit.uk: For all your screenshots needs, to share your love for games graphics.
- !vgmusic@lemmy.world: A community to share your love for video games music
Help and suggestions
By platform
By type
- !AutomationGames@lemmy.zip
- !Incremental_Games@incremental.social
- !LifeSimulation@lemmy.world
- !CityBuilders@sh.itjust.works
- !CozyGames@Lemmy.world
- !CRPG@lemmy.world
- !OtomeGames@ani.social
- !Shmups@lemmus.org
- !VisualNovels@ani.social
By games
- !Baldurs_Gate_3@lemmy.world
- !Cities_Skylines@lemmy.world
- !CassetteBeasts@Lemmy.world
- !Fallout@lemmy.world
- !FinalFantasyXIV@lemmy.world
- !Minecraft@Lemmy.world
- !NoMansSky@lemmy.world
- !Palia@Lemmy.world
- !Pokemon@lemm.ee
- !Skyrim@lemmy.world
- !StardewValley@lemm.ee
- !Subnautica2@Lemmy.world
- !WorkersAndResources@lemmy.world
Language specific
- !JeuxVideo@jlai.lu: French
founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
This blog post is by Gardiner Bryant, who you might know from YouTube (he covers Linux and Steam Deck in great depth)
I thought this one might be interesting for Linux and Steam Deck users here, if you missed it.
The link to the blog post is here!
...or just as interesting for those who like tinkering, and seeing what is 'under the hood' doing what!
The blog is is pretty beginner-friendly with how to run Windows games on Linux using Steam Play compatibility tools like Proton and WINE. It explains:
-
Why compatibility layers are needed – Different operating systems handle system functions differently, so tools like Proton translate Windows game commands into something Linux understands.
-
Performance impact – Unlike emulation, these tools don’t slow things down much, and some games may even run better thanks to optimizations like Vulkan support.
-
Different tools available – It compares WINE (general Windows app support), Proton (optimized for gaming), and community versions like GE-Proton (extra features).
-
How to use them – Simple steps for enabling them in Steam and recommendations for checking game compatibility on sites like ProtonDB.
-
Bonus tools – Mentions alternatives like Luxtorpeda (native Linux game ports) and SteamTinkerLaunch (modding support).
Why I think this blog might help beginners - or curious folk!
If you're new to Linux gaming, I thought this this post really demystifies how Windows games can work on Linux, what tools to use, and where to find help.
And finally, Gardiner's YouTube account is here, if you want to see the face behind the name
Hope it helps someone, anyway <3
I'm going to send a link of this comment to Gardiner, I know he'll be so happy it has helped someone!
Glad you enjoyed it :)
This comes at the perfect time. I was thinking I'd have to find out how to run modloaders or managers on Linux, but I guess I got my answer right here. Thanks for posting!
I'm definitely a beginner so I'll check it out.
I hope this help, then!
:)
FYI, Gariner Bryant is also on Peertube!
And don't forget his alternative to Discord - his Revolt server is here too, which is so fun, but maybe I am biased :)
I've been looking for a reason to try out Revolt. Thanks for the rec!
Perfect!
Make sure you drop by and say hello!!!
Neat info. Positive comments in this thread prompted me to go read the thing, and I appreciated how it is a ground-up explanation, but still quite accessible. Now I understand why WINE is not an Emulator (I had been wondering, tbh)
SD is such a nice device.