this post was submitted on 18 Aug 2023
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Using Windows primarily for gaming, I eventually got tired of some of the issues I had with it (ads appearing in the start menu). I gave Linux a try and it was so so for a while. I kept going back and forth but it's been 2 years now and I haven't had Windows installed and can play 90% of my games without issue. I wouldn't recommend it for everyone. But for those that primarily use their computer for gaming and non-windows specific applications (like web browsing or other various things), Linux is offering some competition for desktop people.
linux seems to work pretty well until it doesnt and then it really doesnt work. seems that there's still some hardware incompatibility issues
I agree completely. I've been lucky enough to have only an issue where Steam keeps my computer from sleeping regardless of power save settings. I've had friends that have tried the same set up as me, and for some reason the computer fails to boot after a simple upgrade (apt upgrade). So I really do mean it when I wouldn't recommend it. But if someones feeling adventurous it can be fun to try out and see if it works for you.
What games fall into the 10% that don't play?
(Genuinely asking--I've been considering the switch.)
Some games use kernel-level anticheat. Unfortunately, because there is a kernel driver involved, it must be specifically ported to Linux, and some developers simply don't want to bother.
examples: Valorant, Roblox, PUBG
I think they never heard about "never trust user input"
Roblox is actually playable on Linux fwiw, I play it with my kiddo all the time
Games using Easy CheatEngine (or something like it)
EAC (Easy AntiCheat) works just fine on Linux as long as the developer enables it. There are very few anti-cheats that don't work anymore. The ones that aren't as big like Vanguard, which is Valorant's anti-cheat, don't work, but Battleye, EAC, and VAC works just fine.
The biggest one I miss, and it works, but the anti-cheat keeps me from my favorite servers is anything from the Red Orchestra series. I really enjoy their newer game Rising Storm 2 but the vast majority of the servers are protected with an anti-cheat that keeps me from joining. I've found a couple servers that don't use the anti-cheat and I can play on those, but they're not quite the same as some of the servers I have as favorites that are playable on Windows. Otherwise, most things generally work good, biggest problem is with launchers, and even those can be bypassed or fixed, but I've gotten to the point in my life where I just want things to work without having to remember what config files I've changed or futz with that may break in the future. The other games that I've had that don't work may as well now, but honestly I've forgotten what they were. One that I don't play, that I know a lot of people do is Destiny and I saw that they'll ban you if you try on Linux. But I've only heard that as I haven't played that on PC.
beyond anti-cheat and "just came out" there's one more category that often doesn't work: not-new, obscure games.
Anything that isn't pretty new and/or pretty popular may need to you run through some hoops to get running right.
If you like jumping from game to game a lot, I wouldn't recommend Linux, but if you stick to a few and play them for a long time (and you don't mind the extra work it is to learn a new OS) I think it would be worth making the switch.
Check out protondb.com for a pretty great resource in what games work/kind of work/don't work on linux (with proton specifically, which is how most people play Windows games on Linux). It's far more accurate than even Steam's own "verification" system for Steam Deck.
It's pretty amazing what they've done with it over the past few years.
The ads in Windows 11 are a dogshit feature, but you can turn them off in the settings.
Yea I've always found that complaint odd. I just assumed everyone who makes it also has the activate windows watermark, and thus can't access the option.
I would but the only thing holding me back is the lack of HDR support in Linux. Windows 11 is currently the only desktop OS to implement it properly (10's HDR is a joke), so I'm stuck with it
Great point. I still don't have an HDR monitor but that could be nice. Plus, if everything's working for you no need to switch it up! It's great that Microsoft is adding the ability to remove some of the programs a lot of people don't / wont use without having to copy and paste powershell commands. I remember there were some scripts / instructions on how to uninstall what would otherwise be uninstallable programs by opening a powershell as an administrator. I don't have anything against Windows, I just got tired of having so many ads put into my start menu and ads in the weather widget they added to the task bar after I paid $100+ for the OS way back when. But I'm not sure how their handling the "price" of Windows now.