Nearly 90% of Windows Games Now Run on Linux

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

Hardware & Drivers

  • Many report modern Nvidia cards (20xx–50xx) working well on recent distros (Pop!_OS, Bazzite, Mint, Arch-based), including for AI workloads and gaming; advice is mostly “use proprietary drivers and avoid day‑one updates.”
  • Others argue AMD is better on Linux due to open drivers in mainline kernel and Mesa; plug‑and‑play with fewer driver management concerns.
  • A few still hit GPU‑related issues: stutter tied to compositors, bad Vulkan setup, or firmware bugs affecting both Windows and Linux.
  • Niche hardware like racing wheels and force‑feedback is hit‑or‑miss; some get G29‑class wheels fully working with community tools, others find poor or experimental support.

Anti‑Cheat and Competitive Multiplayer

  • Consensus: invasive anti‑cheat is the primary reason games don’t run, especially big competitive titles (Battlefield, some Riot/EAC/Battleye‑protected games).
  • Several note that many EAC/GameGuard/Xigncode titles do work if the game opts in, but kernel‑mode systems and explicit Linux blocks remain hard barriers.
  • Debate on whether OS‑level security (Secure Boot, signed kernels, IOMMU, etc.) could enable safer anti‑cheat on Linux; some see that as feasible, others view kernel anti‑cheat as fundamentally hostile.

Proton, Steam Deck, and Compatibility

  • Proton + Steam Deck are repeatedly credited for a “just works” experience: many users haven’t booted Windows for games in years.
  • Numerous anecdotes that both new AAA titles and older GOG/Windows games often run as well or better than on Windows; sometimes even native Linux ports underperform Proton.
  • Users rely heavily on ProtonDB, different Proton builds (including Proton-GE), and launch tweaks (Gamescope, gamemode, environment vars).

Metrics and What “90%” Means

  • Several question “90% of games” as a raw count: what matters is the share of playtime. If a user’s main game is in the 10% (often competitive online), Linux becomes a non‑starter.
  • For others focused on single‑player, indie, or older titles, practical compatibility feels “well above 90%.”

Migration from Windows & Remaining Gaps

  • Many switched to Linux because of frustration with Windows 10/11 (telemetry, Copilot, hardware requirements) and now game exclusively on Linux.
  • Non‑gaming blockers remain: Adobe apps, DJ and music tools, some Android emulators, and specialized streaming setups lack solid Linux options.
  • A minority report persistent stutter, black screens, or input failures even on modern distros, arguing Linux gaming still isn’t “zero extra lift” compared to Windows.