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Author sees Linux ahead of Windows for gaming through ProtonThe article says Proton supports over 30,000 games; nearly 10,000 are verified as fully playable on Steam Deck.
Key FactsAug 31, 2026 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: xda-developers.com
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: xda-developers.com
- Based on his experience, the author reports that Proton runs older classics and some modern games better on Linux.
- By late 2019, he says he had switched completely and had used no Windows on his primary computer for years.
- Proton is built on Wine and DXVK, translating game calls while preserving older system behavior that titles expect.
- The article says Proton supports more than 30,000 games, with nearly 10,000 verified as completely playable on Steam Deck.
No, it doesn't!— Richard, the PC Hardware Lead at XDA, addressing reader comments about Linux anti-cheat support.
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Linux has better Windows game compatibility at this stage than Windows does, and Proton is why
xda-developers.com/linux-better-windows-game-compatibility-than-windows-does-proton/
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Summary created with AI assistance · Source: xda-developers.com
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- Native ports were the main priority for many Linux gamers in the 2010s, but the article says Proton now provides access to most of their library.
- Because Linux remains in the single-digit range in the Steam Hardware Survey, native ports are harder for publishers to justify; Feral cited falling demand when canceling the Linux version of Total War Saga: Troy.
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Summary created with AI assistance · Source: xda-developers.com
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: xda-developers.com
- The author says he fully switched to Linux in late 2019, as Proton began supporting more games, and has not used Windows on his primary system since.
- Based on his own experience, several classic games run better on Linux with Proton than on Windows, while modern Windows versions can have problems with older APIs.
- Proton is built on Wine and uses DXVK for modern Direct3D, translating games’ calls into a Windows-like environment.
- More than 30,000 games are at least supported through Proton, while nearly 10,000 are verified as fully playable on Steam Deck; anti-cheat support remains a problem.
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