Gaming on Linux in 2026
Just a few years ago, gaming was the main reason most gamers stuck with Windows. No matter how powerful or flexible Linux distributions were, the same phrase kept coming up: “Linux isn’t good for gaming.”
Today, that statement feels increasingly outdated. According to an analysis published by Boiling Steam, based on data from the ProtonDB community, nearly 90% of Windows games can now run on Linux. That’s an impressive number and a clear sign that Linux has reached a major turning point in its open-source history.
However, before declaring total victory, it’s important to stay realistic. Running a game doesn’t always mean running it smoothly or at peak performance. Challenges still exist, including compatibility issues, the need for manual tweaks, and ongoing problems with anti-cheat systems.
So the real question remains: Has Linux finally become a true gaming platform capable of breaking Windows’ long-standing dominance? In the following sections, we’ll explore the current state of gaming on Linux, without hype or pessimism, just a realistic look at the facts.
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| Gaming on Linux |
The Rapid Growth of Windows Games on Linux
As mentioned in the introduction, the 90% compatibility figure didn’t come out of nowhere. It reflects real-world data backed by a chart published in late October by Boiling Steam, a platform that closely tracks developments in the ProtonDB database. ProtonDB relies on Linux users sharing detailed reports about how well Windows games run on Linux, based on their own hands-on experiences.
In the past, ProtonDB used the classic WINE rating system (such as Platinum, Gold, and Silver) where users manually rated each game. However, since late 2019, the platform has shifted to an automated rating system generated from actual data. This includes performance logs, reported issues, required tweaks, and other technical details, resulting in more objective and reliable ratings.
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| Windows Games Compatibility on Linux |
Boiling Steam used this data in its analysis but applied its own classification criteria, which differ slightly from ProtonDB’s official methodology. That said, the core rating categories remain largely the same:
- Platinum (Green): The game runs perfectly out of the box, with no tweaks required.
- Gold (Gold): The game runs well but may need minor configuration changes.
- Silver (Yellow): The game is playable but has noticeable performance or stability issues.
- Bronze (Red): The game runs, but with poor performance or multiple problems.
- Borked (Dark Red): The game does not run at all.
The chart shared by Boiling Steam focuses exclusively on games that received reports during the same month, meaning it highlights recent titles or actively played games that are still being tested regularly by the community.
According to October 2025 data, nearly 90% of reported games were playable on Linux, albeit with varying levels of performance and compatibility. This clearly demonstrates how far Linux gaming has progressed in recent years.
Why Gaming Performance on Linux Has Improved So Much
If game compatibility on Linux has improved dramatically in recent years, as shown by the previous statistics, the primary reason behind this progress is Valve. Since the launch of the Steam Deck, Valve has invested heavily in making as many games as possible run smoothly on Linux, and the results are now clearly visible.
In the past, running Windows games on Linux relied mainly on Wine, a compatibility layer that allows Windows applications to run on Linux. While powerful, installing and configuring games through Wine was often a frustrating and time-consuming process, requiring advanced knowledge and complex command-line tweaks.
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| Steam on Linux |
Valve changed this experience with Proton, an enhanced version of Wine built specifically for gaming. Proton integrates powerful tools like DXVK and VKD3D-Proton, which translate DirectX 9, 10, 11, and 12 calls into Vulkan, enabling Windows games to run efficiently on Linux. As a result, many games can now be launched directly from Steam with little to no manual configuration.
Because the Steam Deck itself runs on Linux (SteamOS), ensuring game compatibility became essential, even for titles never designed with Linux in mind. To achieve this, Valve actively collaborates with game developers and frequently adds game-specific fixes and optimizations directly into Proton to resolve bugs and improve performance.
Beyond Valve’s efforts, the Linux gaming community has played a major role in accelerating progress. Community-driven projects such as Proton-GE, along with helper tools like Protontricks and user-friendly graphical interfaces, have made installing and configuring games far easier for Linux users.
In short, these combined efforts have led to real, tangible improvements, making gaming on Linux smoother, more accessible, and more reliable than ever before.
Common Issues When Running Windows Games on Linux
Although most Windows games can now run on Linux, this doesn’t mean the experience is always perfectly smooth or identical to Windows. There are still several challenges that can be frustrating for some players.
One of the biggest obstacles is anti-cheat systems. Popular multiplayer titles such as Fortnite, Call of Duty, Battlefield 6, and Destiny 2 rely on anti-cheat technologies that intentionally block Linux support, even when compatibility layers like Wine or Proton are technically capable of running the game. In many cases, the anti-cheat software detects the presence of Wine or Proton and immediately shuts the game down. This limitation is usually a deliberate decision by the game’s developer or publisher, not a technical failure of Linux itself.
In addition, many games that do work on Linux still require manual tweaks. These may include adjusting launch options, installing missing libraries, switching from the official Proton version to a custom build like Proton-GE, or using tools such as Protontricks to install specific dependencies. While these steps are manageable for experienced users, they can feel overwhelming for gamers who simply want a plug-and-play experience similar to Windows.
In short, Linux game compatibility continues to improve, but it has not yet reached a point of complete simplicity and consistency. For now, Linux gaming still rewards patience and a willingness to tweak, especially for users coming directly from Windows.
Real-World Performance of Windows Games on Linux
One of the most common questions gamers ask is whether Windows games run as efficiently on Linux as they do on Windows. The honest answer is: sometimes yes, sometimes even better, and sometimes not. In reality, performance depends on several factors, including the game itself, the hardware configuration, and the Linux distribution being used. That said, what’s certain today is that the performance gap between Linux and Windows has become very small, especially with the rise of gaming-focused Linux distributions such as Bazzite, a SteamOS-based distro designed specifically for gaming.
To put things into perspective, a recent benchmark was conducted on an ASUS ROG Ally X running Bazzite, and the results were impressive. In Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, the device achieved 62 FPS on Linux, compared to 47 FPS on Windows. Similarly, Hogwarts Legacy ran at 62 FPS on Linux versus 50 FPS on Windows.
These results are not isolated cases. On systems with identical hardware, Linux has started to prove its real-world gaming potential, especially when paired with AMD GPUs, which benefit from excellent Linux support thanks to mature, open-source drivers. Performance on the Steam Deck is also notably strong, as Valve continuously optimizes Proton specifically for its hardware. This optimization is clearly reflected in games rated “Platinum” and “Gold” on ProtonDB.
While the experience is not flawless in every scenario, the combination of SteamOS and Proton has evolved into a well-rounded solution for gamers who want to enjoy modern titles without installing Windows. For many players, Linux is no longer a compromise, it’s a viable and increasingly competitive gaming platform.
Final Thoughts: Linux Is on the Verge of a Complete Gaming Experience
Today, it’s safe to say that gaming on Linux is no longer a niche or experimental experience as it once was. The vast majority of Windows games now run on Linux with minimal issues, and overall performance continues to improve steadily. As mentioned earlier, the Steam Deck has played a major role in accelerating this shift, bringing Linux gaming into the mainstream and proving that the platform is viable for modern titles.
That said, the experience is not yet perfect. Some games still fail to run due to anti-cheat systems, while others require manual tweaks or custom configurations to function properly. For some users, this level of tinkering is acceptable, or even enjoyable, while others may prefer to stay on Windows to avoid any extra hassle.
However, for single-player gamers, indie game fans, or those looking to distance themselves from Microsoft’s ecosystem, Linux has become a practical and reliable alternative. It now offers a gaming experience that can genuinely compete with Windows in many scenarios.
The remaining question is whether Valve will eventually make SteamOS widely available to everyone. If that happens, we could see a new wave of Linux-based gaming devices enter the market, and potentially push hesitant game developers to reconsider their stance on Linux support. If so, the future of gaming on Linux may be closer than we think.