Linux, for gamers? Whats your thoughts?

[NinemmRx]

I hope that anyone reading this doesn't comment because they think I am being condescending towards Linux, or think that I am trying to take a shot in any way, shape, or form. Quite the opposite, I am a Linux fan and my hope is that from now on, between Steam, Steam OS, and other avenues, new game releases will become available for the Linux crowd as well. I know the older Linux crowd could care less about games and gamers, it is mostly the more recent and younger crowd of operators that cares; but I would like to know the thoughts of the community on this one.

[Booman]

Man I am bent on making Linux my new gaming platform.
Its almost ironic because I have been using Linux for 5 or 6 years as a game server for my LAN Parties.
I always wished it could run my games but never really gave it a chance until last year.
Now I spent most of my free time testing my PC games in Linux.
I even keep a list of games (see signature) and post guides on how to play those windows only games in PlayOnLinux.

Steam OS is a big step for Linux and regardless if its a financial success or not, it still proves that Linux has the capability to be a gaming platform.

I prefer Linux for gaming because its free and encourages freedom to customize and use it the way you want.
Free is always encouraging, but I found out quickly I can choose my desktop manager and my windows manager. If I want extra performance for gaming, then I search online for ways to minimize background processes.
I also found that any ideas I have for Linux, someone else has already thought of it and implemented it in one way or another.
I even have lots of distros to select depending on the need.
Not to mention its great to have on a flash drive as a portable computer.

Us hardcore gamers may still have a single Windows machine just for that newest game, but one day there will be a HUGE Steam title that is only available on Linux and the gamers will flock to check it out.

[gemini89]

Well, I´ve come back to computer gaming thanks to being able to play games natively on Linux, I was off for a few years to consoles because I got tired of being forced* to use Windows for gaming. Bought a new computer last summer with Linux compatibility in mind. Most games runs fine, some have major issues, like Metro: last light, which is a shame. Sometimes it feels like developers just makes a quick port and then just don´t care to patch it. Hopefully this will change when Steam OS gets released and the Linux numbers grow.



*I know there´s Wine, but I don´t really like the idea of it. And always when I´ve tried it, it has just been a mess.

[Booman]

When I originally tried Wine years ago, it was definitely a mess.
In the last year I have tested over 100 games in Wine (with PlayOnLinux) and most of them run successfully.
The key is to have a decent gaming desktop with a dedicated video card.

I know there is some debate about Wine basically acting like Windows, but its all I got.
I collect games and have several hundred, if I stick with Native only games, that list would be really small.
Not to mention, most gamers start on Windows and still want to play the games they already have.

So I've dedicated my time to writing guides on how to play them in PlayOnLinux.
I also play a few native Linux games as well... generally they run much better than the Wine games.

[gemini89]

When I originally tried Wine years ago, it was definitely a mess.
In the last year I have tested over 100 games in Wine (with PlayOnLinux) and most of them run successfully.
The key is to have a decent gaming desktop with a dedicated video card.

I know there is some debate about Wine basically acting like Windows, but its all I got.
I collect games and have several hundred, if I stick with Native only games, that list would be really small.
Not to mention, most gamers start on Windows and still want to play the games they already have.

So I've dedicated my time to writing guides on how to play them in PlayOnLinux.
I also play a few native Linux games as well... generally they run much better than the Wine games.

I respect both your opinion and the work you do. And I understand fully people who want to play Winows-only games. Sometimes I see games on Steam that are Windows-only that I´m thinking about buying, but since I don´t want take the risk and end up not being able to play them because I don´t have a computer with Windows, I don´t buy them.

[Booman]

Yup understood. The only reason its easy for me is because I already have a bunch of games.
You may want to look into buying bundles so you can get 5 or 6 games for $6

Otherwise, there are a bunch of free games that run in Wine pretty well.

You can always check WineHQ's too and see if a game you want to buy runs.
I also have a list of games I've tested in PlayOnLinux. Of course I have a desktop with a GeForce 550 Ti.
It makes all the difference when you have the right hardware.

[XplosiV]

Hi, let me start of with an apology, I don't intend to hijack the topic. However this topic caught my attention, and I'd very much value all opinions. Booman particularly seems to know what he's talking about.

I'm currently running Mint16KDE on an old HP 2.5Ghz//8GB Ram//1GB dedicated Nvidia Graphics (cant remember what model) just to get the feel of it. However I'm seriously considering purchasing a new powerhouse laptop. I7 quad core 2.8Ghz//6 or 8GB Nvidia 880m graphics etc...

I know Nvidia have drivers for the card supplied so I'm cool there. I'm generally curious about what I would need to run games like counter strike source/GO, DayZ, Diablo 3 etc. I have already deduced I'd need Wine, and by the sounds of it, playonlinux. Can anyone provide some background on what they do, specifically, how to set them up, that kind of thing etc?

Many thanks in advance.

[jmorris84]

Hi, let me start of with an apology, I don't intend to hijack the topic. However this topic caught my attention, and I'd very much value all opinions. Booman particularly seems to know what he's talking about.

I'm currently running Mint16KDE on an old HP 2.5Ghz//8GB Ram//1GB dedicated Nvidia Graphics (cant remember what model) just to get the feel of it. However I'm seriously considering purchasing a new powerhouse laptop. I7 quad core 2.8Ghz//6 or 8GB Nvidia 880m graphics etc...

I know Nvidia have drivers for the card supplied so I'm cool there. I'm generally curious about what I would need to run games like counter strike source/GO, DayZ, Diablo 3 etc. I have already deduced I'd need Wine, and by the sounds of it, playonlinux. Can anyone provide some background on what they do, specifically, how to set them up, that kind of thing etc?

Many thanks in advance.

You won't need Wine to play CSS/GO. They are available on Steam for Linux.

[XplosiV]

Hi, let me start of with an apology, I don't intend to hijack the topic. However this topic caught my attention, and I'd very much value all opinions. Booman particularly seems to know what he's talking about.

I'm currently running Mint16KDE on an old HP 2.5Ghz//8GB Ram//1GB dedicated Nvidia Graphics (cant remember what model) just to get the feel of it. However I'm seriously considering purchasing a new powerhouse laptop. I7 quad core 2.8Ghz//6 or 8GB Nvidia 880m graphics etc...

I know Nvidia have drivers for the card supplied so I'm cool there. I'm generally curious about what I would need to run games like counter strike source/GO, DayZ, Diablo 3 etc. I have already deduced I'd need Wine, and by the sounds of it, playonlinux. Can anyone provide some background on what they do, specifically, how to set them up, that kind of thing etc?

Many thanks in advance.

You won't need Wine to play CSS/GO. They are available on Steam for Linux.

Thanks for that, good to know

[jmorris84]

Hi, let me start of with an apology, I don't intend to hijack the topic. However this topic caught my attention, and I'd very much value all opinions. Booman particularly seems to know what he's talking about.

I'm currently running Mint16KDE on an old HP 2.5Ghz//8GB Ram//1GB dedicated Nvidia Graphics (cant remember what model) just to get the feel of it. However I'm seriously considering purchasing a new powerhouse laptop. I7 quad core 2.8Ghz//6 or 8GB Nvidia 880m graphics etc...

I know Nvidia have drivers for the card supplied so I'm cool there. I'm generally curious about what I would need to run games like counter strike source/GO, DayZ, Diablo 3 etc. I have already deduced I'd need Wine, and by the sounds of it, playonlinux. Can anyone provide some background on what they do, specifically, how to set them up, that kind of thing etc?

Many thanks in advance.

You won't need Wine to play CSS/GO. They are available on Steam for Linux.

Thanks for that, good to know

I just finished playing a few rounds myself. I purchased and installed CSS the other day.

[Previous1]

You won't need Wine to play CSS/GO. They are available on Steam for Linux.

CS:GO is not available on Linux. It's separate from CS:S.

[gemini89]

However I'm seriously considering purchasing a new powerhouse laptop. I7 quad core 2.8Ghz//6 or 8GB Nvidia 880m graphics etc... .

Sounds good, except that you probably will have a lot of problems with the GPU. Correct me if I´m wrong, but the dual Intel+Nvidia graphics are a really mess to setup in Linux. Don´t have any experience though, but I´ve read it several times. If I were you I´d buy a desktop instead, I mean your "old" laptop seems to have quite good specs anyway.

CS:GO is not available on Linux. It's separate from CS:S.

True, but it will come to Linux eventually.