Image by Gabriel Heinzer
Gaming on Linux is light years ahead of what it was just a few years ago. While it's not up to Windows - or even Mac - games when it comes to support, there are still plenty who are willing to skip a few extra steps to play without having to turn to Microsoft or Apple for support. their system operation. But then the classic Linux problem of choosing a distro properly suited for what you want to do rears its ugly head. Unlike Mac OS or Windows, Linux is available in hundreds of different distributions, each suitable for certain tasks and software.
Note: If you're exploring the fun but tricky rabbit hole of Linux games, you'll probably want to check out ProtonDB to check the usability of certain games you want to play to verify their Linux compatibility. You might be surprised how many of them already have native Linux ports!
Ubuntu
Ubuntu is probably the Linux distribution you've heard the most about, and for good reason: it's believed to be by far the most popular Linux distribution. Ubuntu is based on Debian and shares much of the underlying DNA, but has strayed so far from it that the general end-user experience is quite different these days. As a desktop operating system, it is one of the most functional and mature user interfaces in the Linux space. If you're looking for a distro that offers a wealth of online support and information to help you navigate the great seas of Linux gaming, then this is a fantastic place to start.
Setting up games in Ubuntu takes a bit of effort. Ubuntu by default doesn't include much of the proprietary software you'll need to start your gaming journey, so you'll probably spend the first step of your journey in tutorials to properly configure all your hardware. It might seem a bit daunting at first, but once the job is done, you'll be able to enjoy a solid, well-supported operating system backed by a mountain of end-user support available.
Related: Steam Deck Has Been Delayed By Valve
Linux Mint
Linux Mint emerged as an alternative to Ubuntu in 2006. At the time, Linux Mint's goal was to provide an easier installation process with sane defaults and, more importantly for our purposes, a plug built-in multimedia and driver support for proprietary packages. This simple goal resulted in an operating system that offers the Ubuntu back-end supporting a very usable and user-friendly front-end. Mint uses several different desktop environments these days, but we recommend the version running Cinnamon as the user interface for ease of use. It's the most similar to traditional Windows, which will make it a much friendlier place to start.
Apart from the default installation options for proprietary packages, Linux Mint is also advanced with Steam in the default repositories. If you're looking for a relatively simple and clean Linux distro, this is a great place to start.
Pop! _OS
Pop!_OS is System76's internal Linux distribution that they offer on the various computers they manufacture and sell. The idea is that with an in-house operating system, they can avoid the fees and licenses associated with offering Windows, as well as the headache of selling a computer with no operating system at all. Thus, Pop!_OS was born, and it became one of the most user-friendly Linux distributions available.
It is based on Ubuntu and uses the ever-friendly GNOME desktop environment. When it comes to gaming features, System76 actually offers an NVIDIA-specific version of the distro that comes with out-of-the-box NVIDIA drivers, which removes one of the first issues many gamers have when switching to Linux. Pop!_OS offers a very high level of polish that is hard to match compared to community-maintained distros. It also has Steam and Lutris in the default repositories, so going from installation straight to playing is seamless and fast.
Manjaro Linux
Manjaro is an Arch Linux-based distro, which means it's a bit different from the sea of Debian/Ubuntu-based distros you're probably familiar with. While Arch itself has gained quite a reputation in the Linux world, Manjaro has been very well received. Debian's dedication to stability means software releases a little slower for it, while Arch is laser-focused on being as current as possible. For games, being more up-to-date often means being more compatible with new titles and software, so the Arch base that Manjaro uses is very useful.
Right out of the box, you'll find Steam and Lutris in the default repositories, and when booting into the live environment, it gives you the option to directly access the build with proprietary NVIDIA drivers. Steam and Lutris and both present in the default repositories, so you should be up and playing very quickly with Manjaro
Related: How to Disable Mouse Acceleration (Windows)
Steam OS 3.0
SteamOS 3.0 is yet to be released at the time of writing, but Valve has announced that it will be coming soon (likely in conjunction with the Steam Deck release). SteamOS currently exists, but hasn't been updated for a while now as Valve pushes forward with a complete overhaul of SteamOS 3.0. We know it will be based on Arch Linux (as opposed to the Debian base of older versions of SteamOS) and will use the KDE Plasma 5 desktop environment, and Valve has already shown that beyond gaming it will be a Complete Linux environment with a traditional desktop environment.
When it comes to gaming, SteamOS 3.0 will be fully supported and backed by Steam, which will likely mean better compatibility and a more seamless experience if you primarily game on Linux through Steam. There's also a good chance that, with enough support from Valve, SteamOS 3.0 could become the main Linux gaming distro for many people. Valve has confirmed that it will be free and available to install on your hardware of choice when it becomes available in the near future.
Gaming on Linux may still not be as easy as gaming on Windows, but with development hurdles constantly being overcome and support from companies like Valve, it's well positioned to make a real push into the gaming space. on PC as a viable alternative.
For more gaming recommendations, check out the best gaming hardware holiday gifts and the 5 best frameless gaming monitors of 2021 on Pro Gaming Guides.
