I'm new to Linux, recently switching from Windows to Linux Mint, and while things have been mostly smooth, I'm facing issues with running games on Steam. Most of my library, including titles like Skyrim, Dark Souls, and Roller Coaster Tycoon don't seem to launch. I know some games have anti-cheat issues, but I'm not dealing with those. I've tried using Proton 9.0-4 for compatibility, but the games still won't run. My setup is a Dell Inspiron with a GTX 1050 TI, using Nvidia's recommended drivers. I've mounted my internal HDD where my Steam library is located, and even attempted reinstalling the games, but nothing helps. There are no error messages; the games just briefly show 'running' before going back to the play option. Any tips on troubleshooting this? Also, could someone explain how Proton works for gaming? Thanks!
3 Answers
Take a look at the FAQs in the r/linux_gaming subreddit for some solid advice. Generally, the latest Proton versions or Proton Experimental are best unless older ones specifically work better for a game. It's also worth noting that if you transferred your Steam library from Windows, this could lead to issues. It might be worthwhile to format your HDD to a compatible Linux filesystem like BTRFS or EXT4 for future gaming.
First off, go to Steam settings, find Compatibility, and make sure Steam Play is enabled. This will activate Proton and install the right tools for your games. Also, check out ProtonDB for each game to see if others have faced similar issues and what solutions they've found.
I've already looked through ProtonDB for help, but I'm still stuck. I hit 'play,' and the games act like they're launching for 10-20 seconds, then just revert back to the play button without any error.
You should definitely check out ProtonDB, and make sure to search for your specific games. Oftentimes players will report their experiences with workarounds like switching to different Proton versions that might work better for those titles.
That makes sense about the HDD transfer! I've reinstalled games, but I'm using the same library location. Maybe rebuilding it might be necessary. I appreciate the insights!