this post was submitted on 26 Mar 2025
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Linux Gaming

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Is Linux support still needed nowadays, or is Steam OS good enough? (imgur.com)
submitted 5 days ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
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Hey there!

I'm a solo dev working on a sci-fi grand strategy game (I didn't manage to find if self-promo is allowed so I'll keep the name for myself).

I was updating my planning and started to think: since my game will be published on Steam, it will be playable on Linux using Compatibility Mode even if I don't specifically target Linux itself. I myself play on an Ubuntu and this allows me to play almost every Windows game (old ones are more capricious, but recent ones are ok).

So I'm wondering, is there really an advantage to have native Linux support nowadays? As a solo dev, the thing I lack the most is time. The days/weeks/months it would take me to add it and fix all the probable bugs it entails could be used to improve the game itself or add features instead for example.

On a more general note, what do you other Linux players expect from a Linux game?

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[–] [email protected] 7 points 5 days ago (1 children)

Its about practicality.

Even big studios cant handle supporting a native linux version and having it run well while supporting windows versions.. which usually ends up with people running the windows version via proton over the native version (Looking at you, Cities Skylines, Truck Simulator games, and more)

So I would say take the easy route and develop for windows with checks to make sure it runs okay in proton, probably a lot less headache and effort than trying to create a seperate native linux codebase.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 5 days ago

Agreed.

I'm a big Linux guy but you have to make compromises in this universe. Proton is amazing and should be the goal for most developers.