Best Linux Distro for Gaming and Development?
Asked by
TechWhiz99
Hey everyone! I've been trying out Linux and had a rough experience with Proton last year. I really enjoyed using it, but I struggled with getting applications like Epic Games working properly, missing Wallpaper Engine, and having a hard time with Discord screen sharing and Vencord. It felt like I was tinkering with settings more than actually playing games. I know these issues might be common for Linux users, but I'm hoping to return and wanted some distro recommendations. I'm considering Debian or Arch, but I'm wary since I know those can be a lot of work to set up.
To give you more context, I'm focusing on gaming platforms like Steam, Gamepass, and Epic, plus doing some emulation. I also work with software like Blender, Gimp, and Microsoft Visual IDE, and I dabble in game development using Godot. Can anyone suggest a Linux distribution that would fit my needs and offer some advice or resources for getting everything set up? Thanks a ton!
Answers
I'm currently using Kubuntu and it's been great for gaming. I run all my games with the Steam compatibility tool (Proton Experimental) and use the Heroic Games Launcher for others. Just a heads up, games with kernel-level anti-cheat won’t work, like League of Legends or GTA V Online. But everything else should be fine, and Godot, Blender, and Gimp run smoothly on Linux!
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Both Bazzite and Fedora are great options. Bazzite is a bit easier to start with, but you’ll face a learning curve if you want to customize things later. Fedora’s got good stability and is up-to-date for gaming, although you’ll need to follow some setup guides at rpmfusion.org.
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Blender, Gimp, and Godot have native support, but if you mean Visual Studio, you can use VS Code with some plugins that get pretty close. For Steam, check out ProtonDB for compatibility info on games. Keep in mind Epic Games will require some extra steps, especially for those that use Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC). If you’re looking for something beginner-friendly, Linux Mint might be a good choice for you.
StorageStruggler: Thanks for the tips! Do you think dual-booting into Windows specifically for Game Pass is a good idea? I'm just worried about storing everything on my 3TB drive.
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I think you should check out Bazzite, which is based on Fedora. It’s very gaming-focused and seems like it could meet your needs really well. Plus, it's user-friendly for desktop use!
PlayOnLinuxMaster: Totally agree with you! Bazzite is solid, especially for gaming.
TinkererTom: Yeah, another thumbs up for Bazzite. I had a great experience with it, and it really streamlined the gaming setup for me!
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CuriousCoder98: So does that mean Game Pass won't work at all? That could be a deal breaker for me.
GamerGeek2020: Unfortunately, Game Pass isn't supported on Linux, which is a bummer.