Can all windows-compatible games be run in arch linux?

huzo11 · 2020-03-23 03:32:30

Hello,
So, I recently installed steam. And I had no problem in running games such as Dota 2 (even though it seems like Dota 2 is compatible with windows and MacOs only?). And now I want to buy a game called Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition. In the store, it seems like it is compatible with windows only? So would that not work in my computer? How does steam actually work in linux? Do you only play games that are compatible with linux or does any game that works in windows work in linux as well (like wine)?

Thanks!

charims · 2020-03-23 04:16:38

So there are a couple ways windows-only games can work on linux, but from the steam perspective, they are using proton.

You can view the compatibility of various games here https://www.protondb.com/explore

Proton is a translation layer which is built upon the great work of WINE. If you want to learn more, i suggest you look at the ArchWiki, as it is probably going to be more accurate at explaining than me:

https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/St … Steam-Play
https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Wine

Games aren't going to work in all situations, but things have gotten generally better for Linux gaming in the last few years. However, games use different libraries, engines, renderers, and anti-cheat software, which is why some just won't work on Linux. I am not sure if "Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition" will work, it's a gold rating, but I would definitely read the comments on https://www.protondb.com/app/813780 before I would decide to purchase it.

The Linux gaming situation is ever-evolving and extremely complex.

sabroad · 2020-03-23 10:49:58

huzo11 wrote:

it seems like Dota 2 is compatible with windows and MacOs only?

Dota 2 has native builds for Linux- when you install this on Steam, it will install the Linux app: https://store.steampowered.com/app/570/Dota_2/

huzo11 wrote:

I want to buy a game called Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition. In the store, it seems like it is compatible with windows only?
So would that not work in my computer?

Since Age of Empires is published by Microsoft, it's doubtful they'll ever support other platforms.

huzo11 wrote:

does any game that works in windows work in linux as well (like wine)?

Not in general, no. However, there exists compatibility layers, like Proton, that help with running Windows games in Linux. They're a work-in-progress though, and fiddling may be involved on an application-by-application basis.

huzo11 wrote:

How does steam actually work in linux?
Do you only play games that are compatible with linux

Steam has a native builds for Linux. Personally, I try to support publishers on Linux by spending my money with publishers that support Linux.

That said, Steam has made progress with making Proton troublefree for a whitelist of games under the banner of "Steam Play": https://steamcommunity.com/games/221410 … 5739350561
For these games, Steam will automagically configure Proton for seamless installation. A list of these (~166) Windows games can be found at https://steamdb.info/app/891390/info/

Good luck on your Linux gaming journey!

Last edited by sabroad (2020-03-23 10:56:13)

huzo11 · 2020-03-24 05:24:39

Thank you very much for all the information guys

Arch Linux

#1 2020-03-23 03:32:30

Can all windows-compatible games be run in arch linux?

#2 2020-03-23 04:16:38

Re: Can all windows-compatible games be run in arch linux?

#3 2020-03-23 10:49:58

Re: Can all windows-compatible games be run in arch linux?

#4 2020-03-24 05:24:39

Re: Can all windows-compatible games be run in arch linux?

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