Only if you play CoD, Fortnite, or Destiny 2. If you’re technically inclined and don’t mind working around some issues, gaming on Linux has come a long way and can be used for pretty much anything else. I used to dual-boot Windows for games, then I went to booting Windows in a VM and gaming with a spare, passed-through GPU. But I haven’t booted my VM in months, and I play lots of games.
See, that’s the thing: I very much mind “working around some issues” in gaming and in gaming alone. I’m as much of a tinkerer when it comes to software as the next guy, but now with a child and all of those pesky responsibilities that slowly pile up as you age, gaming time is
a) scarce and
b) the only real “wind down” time I get
I have time for other things that make me happy mind you, but gaming time needs to be different you cannot dive into an RPG and do subtle story Sidequests and whatnot if you can’t dive into the game fully, switch off everything else for a time. Whenever I can do that, any “small issue” I’d need to work around would make me MAD.
Gaming is the one thing where I don’t want the super customizable OS that works exactly as I want that I can get with Linux. I want to press play and be taken to a place where peasants will task any random stranger to bring their child somewhere and any Lord will entrust his kingdom into some random dipshit he just.met.
And not wanting to do that makes perfect sense. I don’t really want to either, of course, but I’ve decided that if I as a person who can do it actually switch to Linux that must mean that some others of similar minds are going to do it as well.
When it reaches critical mass it’ll just become easier and easier. It already is much easier than it has been, but not having time is a totally valid reason not to do it yet.
But at least for my personal experience the kinds of issues I encounter gaming on Linux are typically less frustrating than the ones I encountered gaming in Windows.
To pretend that either experience is pain-free would be dishonest but I’ve had less difficulties since switching fully to Linux and actually seen a noticeable improvement in performance on many games as well.
I think in reality if stability and never having to “fix” issues or bugs is your biggest concern you are probably more suited to console gaming
So my options are install OS, install GPU drivers, install games, and then play games, or install OS, read 50 different guides, fight iommu or some other configuration, eventually get it working enough to install another OS in a VM, fight getting that performing well, install games, and then play games with potential for worse performance.
I love Linux, but claiming these two things are comparable is ridiculous. I work with Linux all day at work, I don’t want to work with it at home when I just want to relax.
The point I’m making is that you don’t have to read 50+ guides anymore. Install a distro with a good gaming track record (Nobara, Garuda, Pop_OS, Bazzite) and play games. Linux gaming has come a long way.
That said, I understand where you’re coming from. I’m just trying to say it’s easier now than it’s ever been before.
Only if you play CoD, Fortnite, or Destiny 2. If you’re technically inclined and don’t mind working around some issues, gaming on Linux has come a long way and can be used for pretty much anything else. I used to dual-boot Windows for games, then I went to booting Windows in a VM and gaming with a spare, passed-through GPU. But I haven’t booted my VM in months, and I play lots of games.
See, that’s the thing: I very much mind “working around some issues” in gaming and in gaming alone. I’m as much of a tinkerer when it comes to software as the next guy, but now with a child and all of those pesky responsibilities that slowly pile up as you age, gaming time is
a) scarce and
b) the only real “wind down” time I get
I have time for other things that make me happy mind you, but gaming time needs to be different you cannot dive into an RPG and do subtle story Sidequests and whatnot if you can’t dive into the game fully, switch off everything else for a time. Whenever I can do that, any “small issue” I’d need to work around would make me MAD.
Gaming is the one thing where I don’t want the super customizable OS that works exactly as I want that I can get with Linux. I want to press play and be taken to a place where peasants will task any random stranger to bring their child somewhere and any Lord will entrust his kingdom into some random dipshit he just.met.
And not wanting to do that makes perfect sense. I don’t really want to either, of course, but I’ve decided that if I as a person who can do it actually switch to Linux that must mean that some others of similar minds are going to do it as well.
When it reaches critical mass it’ll just become easier and easier. It already is much easier than it has been, but not having time is a totally valid reason not to do it yet.
I hear you and mostly agree.
But at least for my personal experience the kinds of issues I encounter gaming on Linux are typically less frustrating than the ones I encountered gaming in Windows.
To pretend that either experience is pain-free would be dishonest but I’ve had less difficulties since switching fully to Linux and actually seen a noticeable improvement in performance on many games as well.
I think in reality if stability and never having to “fix” issues or bugs is your biggest concern you are probably more suited to console gaming
So my options are install OS, install GPU drivers, install games, and then play games, or install OS, read 50 different guides, fight iommu or some other configuration, eventually get it working enough to install another OS in a VM, fight getting that performing well, install games, and then play games with potential for worse performance.
I love Linux, but claiming these two things are comparable is ridiculous. I work with Linux all day at work, I don’t want to work with it at home when I just want to relax.
The point I’m making is that you don’t have to read 50+ guides anymore. Install a distro with a good gaming track record (Nobara, Garuda, Pop_OS, Bazzite) and play games. Linux gaming has come a long way.
That said, I understand where you’re coming from. I’m just trying to say it’s easier now than it’s ever been before.
Personally I just installed PopOS and Lutris+Steam and everything works fine.