Linux gaming has come a long way from being criticized for its inability to run games. Thanks to the active open-source community, gaming on Linux has never been better.
Collabora, a company specializing in open-source consultancy and development, has been working alongside Valve to enhance the gaming experience on Linux. The collaboration aims to boost gaming support on Linux platforms.
By leveraging the Proton compatibility layer, most games are now playable on Linux, with some even performing better than on Windows. Proton, a tool developed by Valve based on Wine’s compatibility layer, is integrated with Steam Play to facilitate smoother gameplay of Windows games on Linux. Currently, more than 73% of the top thousand games on Steam can be run on Linux, including popular titles like Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Rocket League, Dota 2, GTA V, and Team Fortress 2.
Gaming On Linux: The Challenges
During the recent virtual Open Source Summit in Europe, Gabriel Krisman Bertazi shed light on the current state of Linux Gaming and Collabora’s efforts to enhance Windows game compatibility through Proton to meet Valve’s standards.
One of the key challenges in Linux gaming is the presence of anti-cheat mechanisms like Riot’s Vanguard in Valorant, which hinder the gameplay of Windows games on Linux. Gabriel aims to tackle this issue with the upcoming Linux Kernel 5.11 update.
Valve’s commitment to improving Linux gaming is evident as the company collaborates with CodeWeavers to enhance the Linux graphics stack.
With major industry players increasingly focusing on enhancing the Linux gaming experience, the future looks promising!
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