discussion Linux Gaming Setup/Guide

[KrealMarks]

Linux Gaming Guide: Getting Started​

Want to play your Windows games on Linux? Want more control over your computer and a system that gives you more choice over what runs in the background?

This guide covers the basics of getting started with Linux gaming - from choosing a Linux distribution, understanding drivers, setting up Secure Boot (optional), installing Lutris, and ProtonPlus, and configuring Wine/Proton versions for your games.

Linux gaming has improved a lot over the years, but it is not exactly the same experience as Windows.

Some games will work immediately, some may need a few tweaks, and some games may not work because of things like anti-cheat systems.

The goal of this guide is to help beginners understand:

• How Linux works
• How to choose the right setup
• How to run Windows games
• How to troubleshoot common problems

You do not need to be a Linux expert to get started, just a willingness to learn and experiment.

Secure Boot (Optional)​

Secure Boot is a feature that helps protect your computer during startup by checking that the bootloader and important system components are trusted and have not been modified.

For most users, keeping Secure Boot enabled is perfectly fine. However, if you want the simplest Linux gaming setup with fewer possible compatibility issues, you may choose to disable it.

Some things that can sometimes require extra setup with Secure Boot include:

• NVIDIA proprietary drivers
• Custom kernels
• Certain third-party drivers or software

Disabling Secure Boot does not automatically make your PC unsafe. It only removes the extra verification step during startup.

Your overall security still depends on things like:

• Keeping your system updated
• Using trusted software
• Practicing good security habits

If everything works with Secure Boot enabled, there is no need to turn it off.

Choosing a Linux Distribution​

There are many Linux distributions available, but for this guide, I will focus on two beginner-friendly options:

• Ubuntu
• Fedora KDE

Ubuntu - Best for simplicity​

If you want something easy to use and want most things to work out of the box, I recommend Ubuntu.

Ubuntu has:

• A large community
• Lots of tutorials and troubleshooting guides
• Good hardware support
• Easy software installation

It is a great choice if you are new to Linux and just want to get your gaming setup working without spending too much time configuring things.

Fedora KDE - Best for a modern desktop experience​

If you want a more modern-looking desktop with lots of customization options, I recommend Fedora KDE.

Fedora KDE offers:

• The KDE Plasma desktop environment
• A clean and customizable interface
• Newer software packages
• A more up-to-date Linux experience

The downside is that some hardware, especially certain GPU drivers, may require extra setup.

However, once configured, it can be a very smooth and powerful gaming system.

What about other Linux distributions?​

There are many other Linux distributions, and you are free to use whichever one you prefer.

This guide focuses on Ubuntu and Fedora KDE for simplicity, but most gaming setup steps will still apply to other distributions.

Things like installing:

• Steam
• Lutris
• ProtonPlus
• Wine/Proton versions

work similarly across many Linux systems.

Update Your System and Install GPU Drivers​

After installing your Linux distribution, the first thing you should do is update your system.

A fresh Linux installation may only include the packages available at the time the ISO was created.

Updating your system gives you:

• Security fixes
• Bug fixes
• Hardware support improvements
• Software updates

Keeping your system updated can improve:

• Stability
• Hardware compatibility
• Gaming performance
• Overall user experience

Installing GPU Drivers​

Your GPU brand matters when setting up Linux gaming.

NVIDIA​

NVIDIA usually requires the most setup because it uses proprietary drivers.

The recommended method is to use your distribution's tools.

Search online for:

Your distro + NVIDIA driver

Follow instructions from your distribution's official documentation or community forum.

For Ubuntu, NVIDIA drivers are usually easy to install using the built-in Additional Drivers tool.

AMD and Intel​

AMD and Intel graphics usually use open-source drivers included with Linux.

In many cases, they work automatically after installation.

Keeping your system updated is important because newer kernels and Mesa graphics drivers often improve performance and compatibility.

Avoid downloading drivers directly from the GPU manufacturer's website​

Unlike Windows, Linux drivers are usually managed by your Linux distribution.

Installing drivers directly from the manufacturer's website can sometimes cause problems with updates or system compatibility.

If you need a specific driver version, follow instructions from your distribution or hardware community instead.

Installing Lutris and ProtonPlus​

If you want to play games that are not available on Steam, such as games from other launchers or manually installed Windows games, Lutris is one of the most useful tools on Linux.

Before installing Lutris, we will install Flatpak.

What is Flatpak?​

Flatpak is a way to install Linux applications that works across many different Linux distributions.

Think of it like an app store format that keeps applications more separated from the rest of your system.

This makes installing and updating applications easier, especially for beginners.


To install Flatpak on your Linux distribution, follow the instructions here:

You must be registered to see links

After Flatpak is installed, you can install applications from Flathub.

What is Lutris?​

Lutris is a game launcher and game manager for Linux.

It helps you manage games from different sources, including Windows games.

Lutris can:

• Install and manage Windows games
• Use different Wine versions
• Manage games from different platforms
• Configure settings for specific games

Instead of manually setting up Wine for every game, Lutris helps organize everything in one place.

What is ProtonPlus?​

ProtonPlus is a tool that helps you install different versions of Proton and Wine.

Linux gaming uses compatibility layers to run Windows games:

• Wine - A compatibility layer that allows Windows programs to run on Linux.
• Proton - Valve's gaming-focused version of Wine, mainly used with Steam games.
• Wine versions in Lutris - Used for non-Steam games and custom setups.

Different games sometimes work better with different versions, which is why having multiple options is useful.

Installing Lutris​

Open the terminal and run:

flatpak install flathub net.lutris.Lutris

After installing Lutris:

1. Open Lutris for the first time.
2. Allow Lutris to install its required components.
3. Wait until the setup finishes.
4. Close Lutris.

Installing ProtonPlus​

Now install ProtonPlus:

flatpak install flathub com.vysp3r.ProtonPlus

After installing ProtonPlus, open it and install some useful compatibility versions.


Recommended:

• Wine-Staging-TKG - Useful for Lutris and advanced Windows game compatibility.
• Proton-GE - A popular custom Proton version with extra fixes for many games.
• Proton-CachyOS - A good general-purpose option that works well for many games.

For most games, Proton-CachyOS or Proton-GE should be enough.

If a game does not launch or has problems, try switching to another Wine/Proton version.

Important: There is no single best Wine/Proton version​

Different games may require different settings.

One version may work perfectly for one game but have problems with another.

If a game does not work:

• Try another Wine/Proton version.
• Check game compatibility guides.
• Look for community fixes.

Adding a Windows Game to Lutris​

After installing Lutris and your Wine/Proton versions, you can add Windows games manually.

First, download your game and extract the game files into a folder.

Make sure you know where the game's .exe file is located. This is the file Lutris will use to launch the game.

Adding the Game​

1. Open Lutris.

2. Click the + icon in the top-left corner.

3. Select:

Add locally installed game

Game Information​

In the setup window:

Name​

Enter whatever name you want for the game.

Example:

My Game

Runner​

Select:

Wine

Game Options​

Switch to the Game options tab.

Executable​

The executable tells Lutris which Windows program it should launch.

To set it:

1. Click the "..." button.
2. Find your game's .exe file.
3. Select the file.

Wine Prefix​

A Wine prefix is a separate Windows-like environment where Wine stores:

• Game files
• Windows settings
• Installed components

It is recommended to create a separate Wine prefix for each game.

This prevents one game's settings, files, or installed components from affecting another game.


To create a Wine prefix:

1. Click the "..." button.
2. Create a new folder.
3. Name the folder whatever you want.

Example:

Games/MyGamePrefix

Runner Options​

Switch to the Runner options tab.

Wine Version​

Select the Wine version you installed through ProtonPlus.


Recommended options:

• Proton-CachyOS - Good general compatibility for many games.
• Proton-GE - Proton Community Edition.
• Wine-Staging-TKG - Useful for Non-Steam Games.

For most games, Proton-CachyOS or Proton-GE should work well.

If a game does not launch:

• Try another Wine/Proton version.
• Check game compatibility reports.
• Look for community fixes.

System Options (Optional)​

Go to the System options tab.


You may see:

Enable Feral GameMode

GameMode can improve performance by temporarily changing system settings while a game is running.


However, Lutris does not always install GameMode automatically.

If you do not have GameMode installed, you can disable this option to avoid unnecessary warnings or log messages.


This option is not required for games to run and does not affect your game files.

Saving and Launching the Game​

After finishing your settings:

1. Click Save.
2. Find the game profile you created in Lutris.
3. Click Play to launch the game.

If the game launches successfully, your Lutris setup is complete.

Later in this guide, I will add extra sections for advanced settings, troubleshooting, performance improvements, and additional tweaks.

 

[Sashe_velikiot]

Very useful guide, it's nice to see other Linux users on this site.
I just have three comments:
1) There's no point in keeping secure boot enabled. It will either get in your way or do nothing useful.
2) The listed distros are good choices, but it should be noted that any and all distros are capable of playing games through proton.
3) I'm pretty sure Lutris isn't being maintained anymore, so maybe use Heroic Launcher instead - I've been using it for nearly a year and no complaints so far.

 

[KrealMarks]

Very useful guide, it's nice to see other Linux users on this site.
I just have three comments:
1) There's no point in keeping secure boot enabled. It will either get in your way or do nothing useful.
2) The listed distros are good choices, but it should be noted that any and all distros are capable of playing games through proton.
3) I'm pretty sure Lutris isn't being maintained anymore, so maybe use Heroic Launcher instead - I've been using it for nearly a year and no complaints so far.

Thanks for the feedback! I agree that Proton works across almost all Linux distributions, Ubuntu and Fedora KDE are recommended mainly because they provide easier driver setup and a smoother beginner experience.

For Secure Boot, I see it as optional rather than useless. It can provide extra protection against boot-level attacks, but disabling it can make custom kernels and some drivers easier to manage.

For Lutris, I’ll clarify the wording. Development is slower than some gaming tools, but it is still maintained. I’ll will also mention Heroic Launcher as a good option on a future thread, especially for Epic and GOG users.

 

[Intorpecido]

Secure Boot protects very little; the new 2024 version already suffers from identity spoofing, and it works more like market control than user protection.

 

[KrealMarks]

Secure Boot protects very little; the new 2024 version already suffers from identity spoofing, and it works more like market control than user protection.

I think that's a bit of an overstatement. Secure Boot isn't supposed to solve every security problem, it's there to help protect the boot chain. There have been vulnerabilities and bypasses, but that's not the same as saying it "protects very little."

Also, what do you mean by "market control" and "identity spoofing"? Can you point to a specific vulnerability or source?

 

[vdkai]

Thank you for the guide.
Had installed wine but was running into games that did not work, now they are running great.