Key takeaway: Steam Proton lets a large number of Windows games run well on Linux, but compatibility varies by title — always check ProtonDB before assuming a specific game will work.
Gaming has historically been one of the trickiest areas for Linux, but Steam's Proton compatibility layer has changed that considerably over the past few years. It is not universal compatibility, but for many popular games it genuinely works, often surprisingly well.
What Proton actually is
Proton is Valve's own version of Wine, built into the Steam client, specifically tuned for running Windows games on Linux. When enabled, Steam automatically uses Proton to run a Windows-only game you already own, without needing to install Windows or set anything up manually in most cases — you simply click "Play" as normal.
Checking compatibility before you buy or install
Before assuming a specific game will work, check ProtonDB, a community-run website that rates thousands of games by how well they run under Proton, based on real user reports. Games are rated from "Borked" (does not work) through "Bronze," "Silver" and "Gold" (playable with varying degrees of tweaking) up to "Platinum" (works perfectly with no adjustment needed). This single site is the most reliable way to set realistic expectations before switching.
Tip: Search ProtonDB for any game you currently play regularly before switching to Linux, so you know in advance whether it is a smooth "Platinum" experience or something that needs extra tweaking, rather than finding out after you have already moved over.
What tends to work well
Single-player games without invasive anti-cheat or copy protection tend to have the best compatibility, and a huge number of popular titles across many genres now run at or near "Platinum" or "Gold" level. Valve has also invested heavily in Proton's development specifically because so many people play games through Steam on the Steam Deck, which runs a Linux-based system itself, and that investment benefits desktop Linux gaming too.
What tends to work poorly or not at all
Games with kernel-level anti-cheat software — a category that includes several major competitive online multiplayer titles — are the biggest problem area, since many anti-cheat systems either actively block Linux or simply are not supported by their developers on it. This situation changes over time as some developers add Linux support, so it is always worth checking a specific game's current status rather than assuming a permanent answer either way. Some games with unusual DRM or launcher requirements also occasionally cause problems.
Before you start: If you play competitive online multiplayer games regularly, check that specific title's anti-cheat compatibility carefully before switching — this is the single most common reason gaming plans on Linux do not go as expected.
Games bought outside Steam
Games purchased through other stores such as Epic Games Store or GOG can sometimes be run through tools like Heroic Games Launcher, which uses a similar Proton-based compatibility approach outside of Steam itself, though this is a slightly more involved, community-supported setup than Steam's own built-in integration.
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need to do anything special to enable Proton?
- In Steam, go to Settings, then Compatibility, and enable "Steam Play for all other titles," which allows Proton to be used for any Windows-only game in your library.
- Will my old low-spec laptop run games well even with Proton working?
- Proton adds a small performance overhead on top of a game's normal requirements, so a game that already ran acceptably on your hardware under Windows will typically run slightly less well under Proton, though often still playably for older or less demanding titles.
- Can I check compatibility before buying a new game?
- Yes, checking ProtonDB before purchase is strongly recommended, and many Steam store pages now also show a "Deck Verified" or compatibility rating that gives a useful early indication.