I currently use Windows and am considering switching to Linux. I regularly play FC26, Minecraft, Fortnite, and Assetto Corsa, so I'm concerned about game compatibility. I also have an external 256GB SSD that I could use for testing or installing Linux. Would switching make sense, and which beginner-friendly distribution would you recommend?
4 Answers
If Fortnite is important to you, dual-booting is probably the best option. Keep Windows for Fortnite and any other games that do not work properly, then use Linux for everything else. You could install Linux on the external SSD first so you can try it without changing your main Windows installation.
Before committing, check each game on ProtonDB and the developer’s anti-cheat support list. You can boot a Linux live USB or install it to the external SSD, but a full installation will give you a more realistic test of gaming performance. Keep backups and avoid removing Windows until you know all your essential games work.
Minecraft and Assetto Corsa generally work well on Linux. Minecraft Java can be installed through launchers such as Prism, though Bedrock support is more limited. FC26 may run in local or offline modes, but online functionality is reportedly unsupported. Fortnite is the major blocker because its anti-cheat system does not support Linux, so you would need Windows for it.
For a first Linux gaming setup, Bazzite is a popular choice because it is designed around gaming and works well with Steam. Fedora KDE, Linux Mint, and Zorin OS are also approachable choices. The exact distribution matters less than using a well-supported mainstream one; your graphics hardware and the games’ anti-cheat systems matter more.
If you have an AMD graphics card, Bazzite or SteamOS-style systems are especially convenient. With NVIDIA, Bazzite can still work, but check the recommended image and driver setup before installing.