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Linux gamers on Steam cross over the 3% mark

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Re: Linux gamers on Steam cross over the 3% mark

#51

Post by dotancohen »

Dedime wrote: post #30
lawn wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Linux is miles better than Windows as a general computing device, it's not even close.

I wouldn't say it's perfect quite yet. I just installed Debian on my Framework, and my microphone isn't working. Debugging it for the last 30 minutes has gotten me nowhere, and half the answers on the internet don't apply to my distro. Until basic issues like this go away or have easy solutions, it's hard to recommend it to anyone.

I'm going to be shown the door for this suggestion, but go consult with ChatGPT about your mic. ChatGPT had been very good for debugging Linux usability issues and papercuts in my experience.

Re: Linux gamers on Steam cross over the 3% mark

#52

Post by PeaceTed »

TACIXAT wrote: post #26

I just made the switch. I had been developing on Windows for the last couple of years, mostly to get used to the ecosystem. I wanted to be able to write C and C++ like I do on Linux, without an IDE and with the native toolchain (i.e. no cygwin). On top of that, I play Overwatch every night. Windows just seems to have zero focus on performance though. React based start menu with visible lag, file Explorer (buggily) pa…

An aside based on what you have mentioned. What the heck happened to Windows file manager? I mean it used to be that Windows was rock solid while Linux variants had various parsing performance/stability issues. Now it feels like it is the complete opposite.

In Win 11 I am constantly finding the whole explorer locking up just copying files via USB because of reasons unknown. Where as on my Linux machines, I have absolute faith that it will just handle it or at the very least not just stop spinning in the background in zombie land, not dead enough to die but not alive enough to do anything. Windows is in a very unfortunate place right now, I do hope they will wake up and try to get things back on the road but I am very doubtful considering the leader ship they have nowadays.

Re: Linux gamers on Steam cross over the 3% mark

#53

Post by jsheard »

yerich wrote: post #45
WhereIsTheTruth wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

https://www.protondb.com/explore?sort=playerCount only 6 out of the 50 most played right now aren't working 10 millions players ingame, 90% of players are not playing these titles

I have no idea where that list is coming from but many top games are missing. Fortnite, League of Legends, Valorant, Roblox, FC26, and Battlefield 6 all do not run at all on Linux due to anti-cheat.

It's based on Steams numbers, so yeah games like Fortnite, LoL, Valorant and Roblox won't show up at all since they aren't distributed through Steam. Battlefield 6 should be on there though, maybe ProtonDB just hasn't refreshed the stats in the few weeks since that came out.

Re: Linux gamers on Steam cross over the 3% mark

#54

Post by hamandcheese »

SteveNuts wrote: post #43
TACIXAT wrote: post #26

I just made the switch. I had been developing on Windows for the last couple of years, mostly to get used to the ecosystem. I wanted to be able to write C and C++ like I do on Linux, without an IDE and with the native toolchain (i.e. no cygwin). On top of that, I play Overwatch every night. Windows just seems to have zero focus on performance though. React based start menu with visible lag, file Explorer (buggily) pa…

The only thing windows has focused on has been dark patterns to force users towards cloud and figuring out more and more ways to collect data to sell ads. I’m not naive, I know a ton of huge enterprises still run huge fleets of windows “servers” but I still find it hilarious that a supposedly serious server OS would default to showing you the weather and ads in the start menu.

I curious how profitable it has been for Microsoft so far. Are they making billions and billions from these dark patterns? I feel like they'd have to be making a fortune for it to be worth throwing their brand in the gutter like they have been doing.

Re: Linux gamers on Steam cross over the 3% mark

#55

Post by shric »

try_the_bass wrote: post #46
TACIXAT wrote: post #26

I just made the switch. I had been developing on Windows for the last couple of years, mostly to get used to the ecosystem. I wanted to be able to write C and C++ like I do on Linux, without an IDE and with the native toolchain (i.e. no cygwin). On top of that, I play Overwatch every night. Windows just seems to have zero focus on performance though. React based start menu with visible lag, file Explorer (buggily) pa…

Out of curiosity, why are such high fps numbers desirable? Maybe I don't understand how displays work, but how does having fps > refresh rate work? Aren't many of those frames just wasted?

I think it was just to show that the performance is comparable to Windows, implying that it also will be fine for games/settings where fps is in the range that does matter.

Re: Linux gamers on Steam cross over the 3% mark

#56

Post by dotancohen »

bobim wrote: post #41
wiseowise wrote: post #9

Haters cheat sheet yo help you out, in case you’ve forgot your “arguments”: * SteamOS is not real Linux, because normies only interact with Steam launcher * “Only 3%?” * Windows is still the biggest platform

I have a coworker who usually say that billions of flies can't be wrong. Maybe we should just start eating what they eat.

I've been saying it for years. Windows are for bugs.

Re: Linux gamers on Steam cross over the 3% mark

#57

Post by hamandcheese »

tredre3 wrote: post #12
haunter wrote: post #2

27% of that 3% is the Steam Deck / Lenovo Legion Go S. So most Linux players are in fact not on the Steam Deck.

> 27% of that 3% is the Steam Deck / Lenovo Legion Go S. So most Linux players are in fact not on the Steam Deck. If that is true then one of those other two claims has to be false: 1. Using the latest months recorded share (Oct-2025 - 3.05%): 4,026,000 estimated "monthly active users" for Linux+Steam. 2. Market research firm International Data Corporation estimated that between 3.7 and 4 million Steam Decks had been…

I have a Steam Deck. Haven't booted it up in months. It convinced me that I could game on Linux, now I game on my Desktop.

Re: Linux gamers on Steam cross over the 3% mark

#59

Post by davet91 »

marginalia_nu wrote: post #38

It's weird how Steam doesn't automatically set the toggle that lets you play most Windows games through Proton instead of having that be an opt-in you need to know about. It really is extremely stable and polished these days.

They do now: https://www.gamingonlinux.com/2025/06/steam-update-brings-ac...

Re: Linux gamers on Steam cross over the 3% mark

#60

Post by Rohansi »

marginalia_nu wrote: post #38

It's weird how Steam doesn't automatically set the toggle that lets you play most Windows games through Proton instead of having that be an opt-in you need to know about. It really is extremely stable and polished these days.

I've only ever needed to enable Proton for non-Steam games. Are there Steam games that don't have Proton enabled and need it to be manually enabled by the user? (I've only used it on the Steam Deck)
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