PC Gaming On Linux Is Not Just For Hardcore Nerds Anymore
For a long time Linux had a reputation among PC gamers as the scary command line operating system where one wrong move could nuke your bootloader. It was seen as something only bearded power users and server admins touched, not people who just wanted to play Hunt Showdown or Baldur's Gate 3 after work.
That picture is changing fast. According to the Steam hardware survey, Linux has quietly climbed to around 3.2 percent of Steam users, beating out macOS for gaming. That number might sound small, but it represents a growing shift: more PC gamers are getting tired of Windows and are actively looking for alternatives that respect their hardware and their choices.
A big piece of that puzzle is that modern Linux gaming is nothing like the clunky, awkward experience older players might remember. Distros designed specifically for gaming, like Bazzite, have made it surprisingly painless to install, run, and enjoy PC games on a free and open operating system.
Why Gamers Are Getting Fed Up With Windows
A lot of PC builders and enthusiasts feel the same underlying frustration with Windows: it no longer feels like an operating system you own. It feels like a service you rent.
On a typical Windows install today you will deal with:
- Constant upsells for Office 365 and Microsoft services
- AI features and assistants most gamers do not want
- Pre installed apps and Edge that are awkward or impossible to fully remove
- "Finish setting up your PC" nags that pop up even on fully configured systems
For consoles this tradeoff is expected. You buy into the ecosystem and in exchange you get a curated, locked down box that mostly just works. But for a custom PC you built yourself, Windows can start to feel like an unwelcome co owner of your machine.
That is the emotional core of why many gamers are giving Linux a serious look. They want an operating system that lets them install only what they actually use and keeps intrusive extras out of the way.
Bazzite And The Rise Of Linux Gaming Distros
Where Linux used to demand a lot of manual setup, distros like Bazzite are built from the ground up with gaming in mind. Bazzite is a Linux based gaming operating system designed to be:
- Friendly to beginners who are used to Windows
- Safe against "oops I broke my system" experiments
- Ready for Steam and PC gaming right after installation
One of the big surprises for many new users is that gaming on Bazzite is often as easy or easier than on Windows, even on Nvidia GPUs which historically have been trickier under Linux. Modern Linux drivers and gaming stacks have improved dramatically, and Bazzite wraps a lot of the rough edges in a simple interface.
Thanks to Valve's Proton compatibility layer, Windows games on Steam can often run on Linux with a single toggle. Benchmarks have even shown cases where games perform as well or better on SteamOS and Linux compared to Windows, depending on the title and hardware. That does not mean every game is faster, but it destroys the old myth that Linux gaming is automatically slower or jankier.
The end result for a typical gamer is that installing and launching games like Hunt Showdown or Baldur's Gate 3 on Bazzite feels surprisingly normal. You use Steam, your library shows up, you hit play, and the game runs. Most of the deep technical magic happens behind the scenes.
The State Of Linux Gaming In 2026
Linux today is not just a hobby OS on a spare laptop. Many gamers are running it on their main rigs or at least dual booting it alongside Windows. At the same time, Linux still has some pain points you should be aware of before you jump in.
Things that work well for a lot of PC gamers right now:
- Single player and co op titles on Steam using Proton
- Big RPGs and story heavy games like Baldur's Gate 3
- Older games and many indies that do not rely on kernel level anticheat
- Media server and secondary PC roles, such as using Debian or a similar distro on an old laptop as a living room server
Areas that are still rough around the edges:
- HDR support is inconsistent and can be a hassle depending on your display and game
- Many live service and competitive games with strict anticheat systems simply will not run on Linux
- Occasional compatibility quirks that still require some tinkering or community workarounds
The good news is that the trend is positive. Valve is pushing hard on Linux and SteamOS thanks to the Steam Deck and its living room ambitions. As more hardware and game developers care about Linux, anticheat vendors and middleware providers have stronger reasons to support it properly.
Should You Try Linux On Your Gaming PC
If you are curious about Linux but nervous about breaking your main system, there are low risk ways to experiment.
A simple approach is:
- Install a gaming focused distro like Bazzite on a separate SSD or spare drive
- Use it as a dual boot option alongside Windows
- Start by testing a handful of your most played single player games in Steam
This lets you feel out performance, compatibility, and day to day usability without giving up your existing Windows install. You can see for yourself whether gaming on Linux is already good enough for your library and your habits.
For a lot of PC gamers, the real attraction is not just frame rates or benchmarks. It is the feeling of regaining ownership of the system they built. On Linux you can run a clean OS with only the software you actually want. No forced AI features, no baked in advertising, and no constant pressure to subscribe to extra services.
In 2026 and beyond, Linux will not replace Windows overnight. But for builders, tinkerers, and anyone tired of their gaming PC being treated like a billboard, it is becoming a very real alternative. Even if you only try it on a spare drive, you might find the open source waters a lot more comfortable than you expect.
Original article and image: https://www.pcgamer.com/software/linux/im-brave-enough-to-say-it-linux-is-good-now-and-if-you-want-to-feel-like-you-actually-own-your-pc-make-2026-the-year-of-linux-on-your-desktop/
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