Proton-based Steam Play allows you to play Windows-only games on Linux. Here’s how to use this feature in Steam right now.
What is Steam Play?
Game distribution platform Steam has implemented a fork of WINE; it’s called – “Steam Play”. With Steam Play, Linux users can play games available on Windows only. A compatibility tool «Proton» is used for Steam Play to make Windows games work on Linux.
Play Windows-only games in Linux with Steam Play (Proton)
You need to install Steam first.
Steam is available for all major Linux distributions. I have written in detail about installing Steam on Ubuntu, and you may refer to that article if you don’t have Steam installed yet.
Once you have Steam installed and you have logged into your Steam account, it’s time to see how to enable Windows games in the Steam Linux client.
Suggested Read 📖
Best Distributions for Gaming on Linux
If you are a hardcore PC gamer, Linux might not be your first choice. That’s fair because Linux isn’t treated as a first-class citizen when it comes to gaming. You won’t find the most awaited games of the year available on Linux natively. Not to forget that
It’s FOSSAnkush Das
Step 1: Go to Account Settings
Run Steam client. On the top left, click on Steam and then on Settings.
Step 2: Enable Steam Play
Now, you’ll see an option Steam Play in the left side panel. Click on it and check the boxes:
- Enable Steam Play for supported titles (This is usually checked by default to let you run supported Windows games seamlessly)
- Enable Steam Play for all titles (With this option, you can try/experiment other games that may not be known to work)
You can also opt to change the version of the compatibility layer (Proton) if you need it. Once you are done selecting the options, hit “OK” and proceed to restart steam in order for the changes to take effect.
To get the latest compatible support, you may want to use «Proton Experimental«. If you want to use a Proton version that is still in the testing phase, Proton Next should be the pick.
In either case, if the game supports a specific version as per your research, you can enable any of the available older versions as well.
Here’s how it will work:
For example, I have Age of Empires in my Steam library, which is not available on Linux typically. But after I enabled Steam Play for all Windows titles, it now gives me the option for installing Age of Empires on Linux.
Things to know about Steam Play feature
There are a few things you should know and keep in mind about using Windows-only games on Linux with Steam Play:
- A large number of Window-only games work on Linux using this feature. Some are AAA (triple A) titles, and some are indie games.
- You should not expect for all games to work seamlessly. Some might crash, and some might need a little troubleshooting to make things work with your hardware.
- You can always refer to ProtonDB or Steam Deck verified list to find games that you should try first.
- If you have games downloaded on Windows via Steam, you can save some download data by sharing Steam game files between Linux and Windows.
In addition, you should refer to our Linux gaming guide for more information.
How Do You Identify Games That Work On Steam Play?
I’m sure that you don’t have a lot of free time to download games one by one and test them with Steam Play.
As mentioned earlier, you can visit ProtonDB to check reports/stats contributed by gamers to see what games work and what do not.
Any game that has a rating of silver and above can be tried. However, it would make more sense to try Platinum/Gold-rated games first. The website also lists the games that are Steam Deck verified, which is also an excellent way to know what works on Linux.
You can use that as a reference to decide whether you should download/purchase a particular game.
I hope this tutorial helped you in running Windows-only games on Linux. Which game(s) are you looking forward to playing on Linux?
About the author
Abhishek Prakash
Created It’s FOSS 11 years ago to share my Linux adventures. Have a Master’s degree in Engineering and years of IT industry experience. Huge fan of Agatha Christie detective mysteries 🕵️♂️
The continued (and usually justified) distaste for Windows 10 has given more momentum than ever to Linux as a desktop platform. Most Linux-based operating systems are free to use, have a consistent interface, and don’t break with every update—what’s not to like?
While Linux can run much of the same software that Windows can, including all major web browsers and many productivity tools, gaming has always been a rough point for the platform. Major games natively written for Linux are still few in number, but Windows compatibility layers like Wine and various emulators have been filling in the gaps.
Thankfully, Linux gaming has improved quite a bit in the past year. Steam Play allows you to play Windows games effortlessly through Steam, without fiddling with configuration files or installers yourself (most of the time, anyway). Meanwhile, tools like Lutris have made it easier than ever to play games through the Wine compatibility layer.
In this guide, we’ll show you the best ways to play Windows-only games on your favorite Linux distribution—whether it be Ubuntu, Debian, Arch, Fedora, or something else.
Steam Play/Proton
For years, the ‘Wine’ compatibility layer has made it possible to play Windows games on Linux. For the past three or so years, Valve has been working with Wine developers to improve game compatibility, and the result is Proton. Proton, also called ‘Steam Play,’ is a modified build of Wine developed by Valve—and it’s built right into Steam for Linux. That’s right, the dark days of installing Steam inside of Wine to play Windows-only Steam games are over.
Steam Play is an incredibly impressive compatibility layer, and it makes running Windows games in Linux easier than ever. It can translate Windows DirectX calls to Vulkan API calls, resulting in better compatibility and performance than ever before, and it works perfectly with external controllers and Steam Overlay.
To get started with Steam Play, install Steam for Linux if you haven’t already. This process varies a bit depending on what Linux distribution you’re running.
Keep up to date with the most important stories and the best deals, as picked by the PC Gamer team.
Installing Steam on Debian, Ubuntu, Linux Mint, Pop_OS, and most other Debian-based distros
Go to the Steam download page and click the big download button. You should get a .deb file. Double-click on the file, and a package manager will open asking you if you want to install the application. Once the process is complete, Steam should be available in your app launcher, and you can open it and log in.
Installing Steam on Elementary OS
While Elementary OS is based on Debian/Ubuntu, newer versions of Elementary don’t automatically have the application required to open .deb files. So first, you need to install ‘Eddy’ from the AppCenter. Once Eddy is installed, go to the Steam download page, click the big download button, and open the .deb file it gives you. After all that is done, Steam should be available in your app launcher. Try opening it and logging in.
Installing Steam on Fedora, Arch, and most other distros
If you’re using a distribution that isn’t based on Ubuntu/Debian, you’ll have to install Steam from the unofficial Flatpak. Flatpak is a way of packaging applications to work on a wide variety of Linux distributions.
First, some minor setup may be required depending on the exact distribution you’re using. The official Flatpak website has super easy instructions for getting everything set up.
Once that’s done (and you’ve rebooted your PC, if it said to in the instructions), we need to make sure the Flathub repository is set up. Run this command in the Terminal:
flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepoThen install Steam with this command:
flatpak install flathub com.valvesoftware.SteamAfter that’s done, Steam should appear in your app launcher. Open it and log in.
Enabling Steam Play for all games
Valve currently tests games before officially certifying them for Steam Play. However, there is a setting in Steam that gives you the option of running non-certified games in Steam Play. While many titles work just fine, keep in mind that some games (especially newer ones, or some that use certain DRM methods) might have issues or won’t work at all. The worst that can happen is the game not running—you don’t have to worry about corrupting other games or breaking Steam.
To get started, click the Steam menu at the top-left of the main Steam window, and select ‘Settings’ from the dropdown. Then click ‘Steam Play’ on the left side, make sure the the box that says ‘Enable Steam Play for supported titles’ is checked, and check the box for ‘Enable Steam Play for all other titles.’
After that’s done, click OK. Steam might want to restart to apply your changes. With all that done, go to your Steam library, click the dropdown menu next to the search bar, and make sure ‘Games’ is selected. Now you can see all your Steam games—including those for Windows—and install them with just one click. The helpful «runs on this computer via Steam Play» message will let you know which games will be installed using the compatibility layer.
If you want to check if a certain game will run in Steam Play before you download it, check out ProtonDB. It’s a community-maintained database that can probably tell you if a certain game works or not, complete with helpful instructions and tips for getting troublesome games to run.
Steam Play is a fantastic piece of software, and it makes playing popular Windows games in Linux far easier than it ever was before… as long as the game is available in Steam. For games found on other storefronts and launchers, another tool might be able to help you out.
Lutris
Lutris describes itself as an «open source gaming platform for Linux.» It’s a front-end for programs like Wine, RetroArch, and DOSBox—you pick the game you want to play, and everything required to get it working is downloaded and set up for you. It supports games like League of Legends, Skyrim, Warframe, Overwatch, and more. It can even detect and add any Linux-native games you might already have installed and add them to the launcher.
Installing Lutris
Lutris has detailed installation instructions on its website, so we won’t re-invent the wheel here. On most distributions, it only takes a command or two to get everything installed.
How to use Lutris
To get started with Lutris, just open it from your app launcher, click the search button, type in a game, and click the ‘Search Lutris.net’ button. You’ll get a list of games you can install, and double-clicking on it will display the ways you can install it. For example, The Witcher 2 can be downloaded from GOG for Linux, GOG for Windows, Steam for Linux, and Steam for Windows.
Also, Lutris supports more than just Windows games. It offers multiple «runners» for playing games from different platforms, including RetroArch (retro games), DOSBox (DOS games), MAME, ScumVM (LucasArts titles), Snes9x (SNES games), and ZDoom (DOOM-based titles).
If you’re feeling adventurous, you can install games manually using whichever runner you want. Lutis has no shortage of options and configuration settings.
Conclusion
Steam Play has made it easier than ever to run your entire Steam catalog on Linux, and Lutris is a significant improvement over the script-based game installers of old (anyone remember PlayOnLinux?). With these two tools, you can enjoy thousands of games that will likely never have an official Linux port.
Of course, there are still more ways to run Windows games on Linux. You can install VirtualBox and run a Windows virtual machine, though you’re likely to run into performance problems with newer games. If you’re feeling adventurous, you could try setting up a VM with support for GPU passthrough.
CrossOver by CodeWeavers is another popular way to run Windows software on Linux, and many of its developers helped Valve develop Steam Play. However, CrossOver is more oriented towards business use, so it doesn’t have as many supported games as Lutris.
Corbin is a tech journalist, software developer, and longtime PC Gamer freelance writer, currently based in North Carolina. He now focuses on the world of Android as a full-time writer at XDA-Developers. He plays a lot of Planet Coaster and Fallout and hosts a podcast all about forgotten stories from tech history.
This tutorial will help you to use Microsoft Windows programs and games on Ubuntu using Wine software. You will start by examples we provide (FOSS only) and getting familiar to installing, running, managing and removing programs. We also supply further references for you to learn more. Enjoy!
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About Wine
Wine (Wine Is Not Emulator) is a collection of software called ‘compatibility layer’ that allows Microsoft Windows programs and games to run on GNU/Linux operating system. To use Wine on GNU/Linux, one should double-click any EXE or MSI files (some configuration needed) and the program should run or the installer wizard should show as if it runs natively on Windows. Currently, many Windows applications both gratis and commercial ones, and also many games both 2D and 3D including the online ones, from the oldest to the newest (with various degrees of success), are successfully running on GNU/Linux thanks to Wine. There is no alternative to Wine to run Windows apps and games on GNU system. Wine is one of the world greatest compatibility layer projects in computing. Visit its website https://winehq.org.
Why do we need Wine?
In our opinion we will need Wine in several conditions:
1. To run needed, old applications that still do not have a FOSS replacement / continuation yet. This case is often found at companies and offices.
2. To test Free Software that released for Windows without having Windows itself.
3. To run games needed by you or people important to you.
4. To learn software development (engineering, debugging, reverse, API, etc.) both in general and in specific area for Windows.
5. To help with Wine development itself.
6. To help development of Windows-like operating system like ReactOS, and many other purposes.
In this tutorial, we will only give you examples of Free/Libre Open Source Software (also known as FOSS), such as LibreOffice, by their Microsoft Windows version. We don’t give example of proprietary software, both gratis and commercial kind, such as Photoshop.
Examples
We pick several applications and games in Windows format namely EXE and MSI as examples in this exercise. They are Free/Libre Open Source Software (FOSS). So please download them before practicing the rest of this tutorial.
1) Peazip https://peazip.github.io
2) Sumatra PDF https://sumatrapdfreader.org
3) LibreOffice https://www.libreoffice.org
4) Inkscape https://inkscape.org
5) Notepad++ https://notepad-plus-plus.org
Wine Versions
1) Wine32: for running i386-architecture version of Windows applications.
2) Wine64: for running amd64-architecture version of Windows applications.
Wine Front-Ends
A front-end is a user interface for another program that does not have user interface. Wine does not have user interface. So there are several Wine front-ends to help end-users add, install, run, remove, manage their Windows apps and games.
1) PlayOnLinux
2) Q4Wine
3) Bottles
Wine Installation
Refer to Installation Guide to add Wine software to your Ubuntu system.
Application Installation
Once you installed Wine properly, you can start installing applications.
1. Make sure you have the program file in .exe extension.
2. Right-click the file > Open with Wine.
If no Wine option exists, select Open With … instead and type wine in the text box and press Enter. (Note: this works with Dolphin file manager and does not work with Nautilus)
3. Wait for a while.
4. Windows application will run or its installer will show.
5. If it is an installer, simply click Next until Finish.
6. Run the application from start menu.
Game Installation
Similarly to normal applications, you can install games too, of course.
1. Make sure you have the program file in .exe extension.
2. Right-click the file and select Open With Wine.
(Note: this works with Dolphin file manager and does not work with Nautilus, see Terminal section below for solution)
3. The game will play or the installer will show.
4. If it is an installer, then click Next continuously until Finish.
5. Game is installed and can be played from start menu.
MSI Installation
Please note that in general Windows accepts two kinds of executable, namely .exe that has been explained above, and .msi that will be explained below. For clarification, MSI stands for MicroSoft Installer.
1. Make sure you have the program file in .msi format.
2. Right-click the file > Open With … > a dialog will show > type msiexec /i in the box > press Enter.
3. The program or game will show its installer.
Running Applications using Terminal
If you cannot run Wine with methods explained above, you may use Ubuntu Files, that does not support calling command line. As a solution, we can also run the programs with wine command lines using Terminal. This will help you who use Ubuntu GNOME.
Running program files with .exe extension:
$ wine program-file.exe
Running program file with .msi extension:
$ msiexec /i program-file.msi
If you want to know more command lines, read Wine’s documentation:
$ man wine
References
This article is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
How to Play Windows Games on Linux
Playing Windows games on Linux used to be a daunting task, but with modern advancements, various tools now make it far more accessible. As Linux becomes an increasingly preferred operating system for many users, especially gamers, understanding how to effectively run Windows games can greatly enhance one’s gaming experience on this platform. This article delves deep into several methods for playing Windows games on Linux, explores the tools available, and offers tips to optimize the gaming experience.
Understanding the Challenge
Windows games are typically designed to run on Windows operating systems, meaning they rely on specific APIs, file structures, and DirectX libraries. Linux, on the other hand, is fundamentally different in these areas. Compatibility layers and emulators have been developed to bridge this gap, enabling gamers to run various Windows games on Linux.
Wine: The Compatibility Layer
Wine is an acronym for «Wine Is Not an Emulator.» It’s a compatibility layer that allows you to run Windows applications on Unix-like operating systems, including Linux. Wine translates Windows API calls into POSIX-compliant calls on the fly, letting you play many games without needing a Windows OS.
Installing Wine
-
Open the terminal:
Launch the terminal by searching for it in your applications. -
Update package repository:
Before installation, ensure your package list is up to date by running:sudo apt update -
Install Wine:
For most distributions, you can install Wine using the following command:sudo apt install wine -
Check Installation:
Verify your installation by checking the version with:wine --version -
Configure Wine:
Run the Wine configuration tool using:winecfgThis command creates a Wine prefix (essentially a fake Windows environment) in your home directory and allows you to configure various settings, including Windows version emulation.
Running Windows Games with Wine
After installing Wine, you can run many Windows games. Drag and drop the executable file (.exe) of the game onto the terminal or run:
wine path/to/game.exeWhile many games will work out of the box, some may require additional configuration or specific versions of libraries. Tools like Winetricks can help install Windows components or libraries that certain games may depend on.
Winetricks
Winetricks is a script to help with installing Windows DLLs and components that may be necessary for certain games. Install Winetricks with:
sudo apt install winetricksUsing Winetricks can resolve issues or enhance compatibility with specific games.
PlayOnLinux: Simplifying Wine Management
PlayOnLinux is a graphical frontend for Wine that simplifies the installation and management of Windows games and software. It provides easy installation scripts for many popular games and helps manage different Wine versions for better compatibility.
Installing PlayOnLinux
-
Install PlayOnLinux:
Use the terminal and execute:sudo apt install playonlinux -
Launching PlayOnLinux:
Once installed, launch PlayOnLinux from your application menu and follow the prompts to set it up.
Using PlayOnLinux
-
Installing a Game:
Click on «Install a program» and search for the game you want to install. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation. -
Managing Wine Versions:
PlayOnLinux allows you to easily manage multiple versions of Wine. This is important since some games may work better with different versions. You can configure the wine version for each game individually. -
Game Configuration:
For advanced users, you can set specific configurations in PlayOnLinux for each game, including graphical settings and compatibility options.
Steam Play and Proton
If you’re a fan of Steam, you may be glad to know that Valve has integrated a compatibility layer called Proton into the Steam client for Linux. Proton combines Wine with additional patches and components, creating a seamless experience when trying to run Windows games from your Steam library on Linux.
Enabling Steam Play
-
Install Steam:
Install Steam via your distro’s package manager. For example:sudo apt install steam -
Launch Steam:
Open Steam and log in to your account. -
Enable Steam Play:
Go toSettings>Steam Play. Check the box for «Enable Steam Play for supported titles.» You can also enable it for all titles if you want the widest range of compatibility. -
Select Proton Version:
Choose the version of Proton you’d like to use. The latest version is recommended for the best compatibility.
Playing Windows Games on Steam
Once you’ve configured Steam Play, you can install any Windows game in your library just like on Windows. If a game has compatibility issues, check its status on ProtonDB, a community-driven database that tracks how well games run with Proton.
Lutris: Open Source Gaming Platform
Lutris is another excellent tool for running Windows games on Linux, focusing on providing a gaming platform for a variety of game sources, including native Linux games, Steam games, and Windows titles.
Installing Lutris
-
Add Lutris repository:
To install Lutris, you need to add its PPA (Personal Package Archive). Use the following commands:sudo add-apt-repository ppa:lutris-team/lutris sudo apt update sudo apt install lutris -
Check for Dependencies:
Make sure that you have the required dependencies for Lutris:sudo apt install curl wget
Using Lutris
-
Install Games:
Search for a game in the Lutris library and click on «Install» to download and set up the game. These installations often come with configuration tweaks that improve compatibility and performance. -
Using Wine and Runner Options:
Lutris allows users to choose different Wine versions for their games, offering fine-grained control similar to PlayOnLinux. It also supports other runners, which are used to run games from various platforms, enhancing your gaming library. -
Community Scripts:
Many community scripts exist for automating the installation of games or applying performance enhancements. Always check the Lutris community for these valuable resources.
Emulators for Older Games
If you’re interested in playing older Windows games that may not run well through Wine, you might consider using emulators. Tools like DOSBox and ScummVM cater to specific types of games—DOS and point-and-click adventures, respectively.
DOSBox
DOSBox is an x86 emulator designed to run old DOS games. It’s straightforward to set up and can emulate older environments that some games require.
-
Installation:
Install DOSBox with:sudo apt install dosbox -
Running DOS Games:
After installing, you can mount directories and run your old DOS games by using DOS commands within the emulator.
ScummVM
ScummVM is tailored for point-and-click and adventure games. It supports several classic titles, allowing you to run them smoothly on modern hardware.
-
Installation:
Install ScummVM via your package manager:sudo apt install scummvm -
Adding Games:
Open ScummVM and add the games from your library. Once added, you can launch them directly from the interface.
Optimizing Performance for Windows Games on Linux
After you have set up your gaming environment on Linux, optimizing performance can significantly enhance your gaming experience. Here are some tips:
-
Graphics Drivers:
Ensure that you are using the latest graphics drivers for your GPU. For NVIDIA users, the proprietary driver often offers better performance than the open-source variant. For AMD, the open-source drivers are generally advantageous. -
System Resources:
Close unnecessary applications when playing games to free up system resources. This can help improve performance and reduce lag during gameplay. -
Monitor Settings:
Make use of in-game settings to optimize graphics. Adjust settings like resolution, texture quality, and shadow detail to find the right balance between visual quality and performance. -
Use Performance Boosts:
Tools like GameMode can automatically optimize system performance for gaming. Install it, then launch your games through GameMode:gamemoderun -
Check Compatibility Lists:
Regularly check forums such as ProtonDB, WineHQ App Database, and Lutris for updated gaming configurations that can help enhance your gameplay experience.
Community Support and Resources
Despite all advancements, not every game will run seamlessly on Linux. However, the gaming community is a treasure trove of knowledge. Here are some resources to tap into:
-
WineHQ Forums
A hub for troubleshooting Wine-related issues that may arise. -
ProtonDB
Community-driven resource where users report their experiences with games running on Proton. -
Lutris Community
Engage with other users for advice on game installations and configuration fixes. -
Reddit and Other Forums
Platforms like r/linux_gaming on Reddit are great for finding a community that shares similar interests and hurdles.
Conclusion
Linux gaming is no longer a limited niche but a vibrant community. By utilizing tools like Wine, PlayOnLinux, Steam Play with Proton, and Lutris, players can access a vast library of Windows games with minimal hassle. As with any platform, there will be challenges, but the ever-growing community and the dedication of developers continue to improve compatibility and performance.
With Linux’s flexibility and the right tools at your disposal, you can enjoy many of the games you love, transcending the boundaries of operating systems and leading to plenty of exciting gaming experiences. Embrace the exploration, and happy gaming!
Playing Windows games on Linux is becoming easier thanks to the Linux community, Valve, and Proton GE. Most games on your Steam library now need no, or very little, tweaking to get running smoothly.
But what if you didn’t purchase the game through the Steam ecosystem? What then? There are alternative ways to take advantage of the improvements that Linux gamers are experiencing through applications that are getting easier to use every day.
Let’s review the apps and tools you can use to take advantage of playing Windows games on Linux.
Foundational Apps to Play Windows Games on Linux
All the Linux-based, gaming-related software and hardware (including Steam Deck) rely upon a few fundamental apps, namely Wine and Proton.
1. Wine
Wine is a compatibility layer for running Windows applications on Linux, macOS, and BSD operating systems.
If you don’t currently know which distro is right for you, our guide on the best Linux distributions will be helpful. Once you select that perfect distro, check out our Linux installation guide for details.
When you’ve landed on the desktop of your favorite Linux OS, it’s time to install Wine.
To install Wine on Ubuntu or other Debian-based distributions, type:
sudo apt install -y wine64
For Arch Linux and its derivatives:
sudo pacman -S wine
If you’re running Fedora, RHEL, and CentOS, type the following commands:
sudo dnf -y install dnf-plugins-core
sudo dnf config-manager --add-repo https://dl.winehq.org/wine-builds/fedora/35/winehq.repo
sudo dnf -y install winehq-stable
2. Proton
Proton is a Wine side-kick that also includes a collection of high-performance graphics API, well, behind-the-scenes magic. In a nutshell, Proton does a lot of heavy lifting when converting Windows binaries into Linux-readable formats.
A tool to easily switch between Proton versions is called ProtonUp. You can navigate to your software center and search for ProtonUp_Qt and press «Install«:
If you prefer the command line, make sure to first install pip:
sudo apt install python3-pip
Clone the Proton Git repo and hop into the directory using:
git clone https://github.com/AUNaseef/protonup && cd protonup
Once you’re in the directory, type:
python3 setup.py install --user
You can then find Proton in: ./home/username/.local/bin/
Use the command to run ProtonUp, substituting [version] with the version of Proton you want to install:
./protonup -t [version]
You should now have Proton installed. Yet, if you need to install a specific version for your game, use ./protonup —help for details.
Some of your games may require the Steam library back-end tools. To install Steam, head over to your software center, or type:
sudo apt install -y steam
…on Ubuntu and Debian-based Linux distributions.
Game Managers and Containers
For Linux users that want an easy way to install and play their games, there are several game managers and container applications available for free.
1. Lutris
Lutris is a central interface to launch your favorite games. As an open gaming platform for Linux, Lutris is a great tool to have. Check out our guide for help with installing and using Lutris.
To link your Steam library to Lutris, you’ll need to ensure your library is set as public. This two-click process can be done by visiting the Lutris website and choosing My Library (under your Profile).
2. Bottles
Bottles is an application that creates containers for your Windows applications and games. You can set up a gaming environment and install programs (games) all in one place. Check out our guide on running Windows apps with Bottles.
Installing Your Windows Games on Linux
Checking Game Status Using ProtonDB
ProtonDB is a great web-based database tracking what games work best on Linux. Also, you’ll learn, from other gamers, what (if any) tweaks are required to get your game working as smoothly as butter. Search up your game at the ProtonDB website for details.
Playing Battle.net Games on Linux
StarCraft II is a timeless classic that is still great in a one-player campaign or when playing against a swarm online. Also, StarCraft II requires Battle.net.
You can visit the Battle.net website and download the StarCraft II EXE file and install it via the command line using Wine:
wine StarCraft-Setup.exe
If you prefer using a GUI, you can install Blizzard’s Battle.net app using Bottles. During the installation, consider selecting the option to create an application and/or desktop shortcut.
If you have StarCraft II (or your favorite Battle.net game), you’ll see the game loading up as normal.
This game was a good test as Battle.net has encountered many quirks running on Linux in the past. StarCraft II did have a few small hiccups running on a 4th generation i5, with an NVIDIA 1650 (6GB RAM), and 16GB DDR4 RAM. Overall, the frame rates were consistently smooth throughout the first few missions.
Playing GOG and Epic Games Titles on Linux
To install GOG and Epic Games launchers, open your software center and search for Heroic Games Launcher.
Not seeing these launchers in your software center? You can find GOG, Epic Games, and Origin launchers in Bottles too!
Although you can download and play Steam games using Lutris, you’ll notice that Steam will still be running in the background:
For a game like Forza Horizon 4, expect to make some tweaks (such as limiting the FPS and updating some settings to suit). For details check out what gamers are saying about Forza at ProtonDB.
Installing Origin Games on Linux
Installing games that require the Origin Launcher, such as Need For Speed (NFS) Heat, is rather straightforward too. With your Steam library synced up with Lutris, simply search for NFS and install.
You don’t have to install the Origin launcher. Lutris and Steam will work together to take care of this for you (when the game launches).
Lutris is also great when playing older games, adding emulation, or installing a Windows game from physical media (if your gaming machine still has an optical drive). This will save you from installing emulators that are complete operating systems.
Alternative options are always great. Yet, for the majority of gamers, a few launchers and a Steam library are all that’s needed.
Level Up Your Gaming Experience on Linux
Now that you have a few options to install your favorite Windows games on Linux, is this enough to ditch Windows in favor of using Linux daily? Will you, instead, stick to a Windows/Linux dual-boot system on your gaming machine?
Wine, Proton, Bottles, Lutris, and Steam are a great family of applications to suit your Linux gaming needs. It’s an exciting time to be alive as a Linux gamer. It’s pretty wild to see that Linux is now doing a better job at processing Windows games on Linux.
For those who don’t want to get into nerve-wracking configurations and simply want a game that’s quick and easy to install, consider downloading some games with native Linux support.