For months I have watched the internet argue about PC gaming, with the never-ending Windows versus Linux debate always being mentioned. And ever since Linux gaming has taken the bullhorn, thanks to Valve’s involvement, the conversation is louder than ever.
You can barely mention PC gaming without someone jumping in to praise Linux or remind you that Microsoft’s Windows is constantly taking 1 step forward and two steps back. I have wanted to speak on this for a long time, but I usually held back because the pushback never stops. I am past that now. It is time to talk honestly about what is happening.
Linux gaming has come a long way from the days where Nvidia or AMD wouldn’t even consider developing drivers for the OS. Valve’s Proton and SteamOS has changed the landscape in a major way, and games, past and present, run shockingly well. Many players find the experience nearly seamless. Indies, older titles, and anything built with Valve’s ecosystem in mind often work without much trouble.
But the idea that Linux is completely ready to replace Windows for mainstream gaming does not match reality.
Windows is still the primary target for game development. DirectX is...
