Is Linux a practical choice for Photoshop, MMORPGs, modding, and emulation?

Your safest option is probably dual-booting, especially because Photoshop and heavily modded games may require Windows-specific tools. If you have two drives, install Linux on one and leave Windows on the other. That gives you a comfortable way to experiment without losing access to anything essential.

For beginner-friendly choices, Linux Mint is simple and stable, Fedora KDE is modern and polished, and Bazzite is aimed more at gaming. The distribution matters less than choosing a desktop environment you enjoy; KDE Plasma feels familiar to Windows users, GNOME is more streamlined, and Cinnamon is straightforward and traditional.

A quick terminology note: Linux is technically the kernel, while a distribution combines it with the rest of the operating system and default software. Ubuntu, Mint, Fedora, and Arch-based systems are different distribution families with different update policies and software sources.

You can try several without installing them permanently. Put a few live installer images on a USB drive and boot from it, then test the desktop, graphics, Wi-Fi, audio, and general workflow. Fedora KDE, Ubuntu, and Mint are good places to start. Don’t worry about picking the perfect distribution immediately.

I’d avoid treating a gaming-focused distribution as a magic compatibility fix. Hardware, graphics drivers, the game’s launcher, anti-cheat, and the specific mods usually matter more than the distribution itself. If you use an NVIDIA card, pay particular attention to driver support; AMD graphics are often less troublesome on Linux.

Back up your game saves and console files before experimenting. A dual-boot setup or a spare SSD is ideal, and you can learn Linux gradually while keeping Windows available for Photoshop or any game that refuses to cooperate.

Photoshop is the biggest obstacle. Adobe does not officially support the current desktop version on Linux, and unofficial Wine setups can be fragile, especially after updates. GIMP, Krita, Photopea, and Aseprite or LibreSprite can cover many workflows, but they are not drop-in replacements and may require relearning shortcuts and tools.

Discord, browser-based website editors, console file transfers, and emulators should be fine. I’d install the alternatives on Windows first and see whether they meet your needs before changing operating systems.

Most of your gaming list is plausible through Steam Play and Proton, Lutris, or Bottles. Final Fantasy XIV generally works well with community launchers, World of Warcraft can run through compatibility tools, and PS2 emulation has mature native Linux options. Non-Steam games are more variable, and anti-cheat or launcher software is often the deciding factor.

Mabinogi and Starfield may work, but you should test the exact versions, launchers, and mods you depend on. Basic mods are more likely to work than tools requiring a separate Windows executable. Check current compatibility reports for every game you consider essential before switching.