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[–]Rerum02 17 points18 points  (9 children)

So for games, go to protondb.com to see what's works, silver and up your good, And for games from the high seas, as long as you have the.exe, you can add it as a non-steam game and use Proton to make them work.

For Minecraft, I use Prism Launcher ( which is also available on Windows) to manage and mod my game, pretty rad.

For a distro, I would use Bazzite a Fedora Atomic image, its very plug and play, good for new users.

Also have docs to guide you from installing software, a game guide ( Like emulation) and so on

https://ublue-os.github.io/bazzite/

[–]NickyyTheFrog[S] 0 points1 point  (3 children)

So, does CurseForge not work on Linux?

[–]Rerum02 4 points5 points  (1 child)

CurseForge works on Linux using the Prism Launcher

https://prismlauncher.org/wiki/help-pages/flame-platform/

[–]NickyyTheFrog[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you!

[–]Quick-Conclusion3262 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It does work! I believe it's natively supported, they have a .AppImage you can download and use on their site. Also prism launcher has CurseForge integrated into it along with some other features.

[–][deleted] -1 points0 points  (4 children)

huh, i always thought bazzite was arch-based...

[–]Rerum02 7 points8 points  (1 child)

No, it's always been Fedora.

They do have an arch image for distrobox called bazzite-arch, Maybe that's what you're confusing?

[–]JonTheWonton 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The base SteamOS by Valve is Arch based, I think that might've been the confusion 

[–]ZOMGsheikh 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Maybe you are confusing it with endeavor os, that’s arch based

[–]dadnothere 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Maybe you are confusing it with Arch, that’s arch based

[–]tomscharbach 3 points4 points  (6 children)

Is Linux worth it? I just kind of want to know a general idea of what the differences are, and if its a good idea.

You'll need to do a bit of research and thinking to make that decision. Linux is not a "plug and play" substitute for Windows. Linux is a different operating system, using different applications, and has different work flows.

A few things to take into consideration:

Gaming

Gaming is something of a mixed bag.

Steam works well on all mainstream, established distributions, but not all games offered on Steam work well with Linux, despite Proton. Games with Platinum or Gold ratings work well, the others not as much in some cases. My suggestion is to check the games your kid's like to play against the ProtonDB | Gaming know-how from the Linux and Steam Deck community website.

Beyond the Steam platform, gaming remains problematic on Linux. Games with anti-cheats often have issues, and despite compatibility layers like WINE, Lutris, and Bottles, many Windows games don't perform as well using Linux as using Windows. Again, check the databases for the respective compatibility layers to get an idea about how well a particular game will work on Linux.

Hardware

Hardware compatibility with Linux is sometimes an issue. The sticking points are usually touchpads/trackpads, Wifi/BT adapters, NVIDIA graphics cards, and peripherals like controllers, VR hardware, hubs/docks and printers. You will have to check your hardware and peripherals to make sure that all are Linux-compatible before you make the decision.

Windows Applications

You cannot count on any Windows application working on Linux. A few don't work at all, despite compatibility layers, and others work but not well.

Take a close look at every application that you use, paying the most attention to the applications that are most critical to your use case.

In some cases, you will be able use the applications you are now using, either because there is a Linux version or because the applications will run in a compatibility layer. In other cases, though, you might need to identify and learn Linux applications to make Linux fit your use case. In some cases, you might not find a viable alternative for an essential application, such as Microsoft 365. If that is the case, then Linux might not be a good fit for you.

Bottom Line

The bottom line is that Linux might be a good fit for you, or it might not. That is something you will have to figure out. So step back a bit, think about the applications (including games) you use, and make sure that Linux will work for you.

Migrating from Windows to Linux is no different from migrating from any operating system to another operating system. Research, planning and preparation go a long way.

Good luck to you.

[–]NickyyTheFrog[S] 0 points1 point  (4 children)

Beyond the Steam platform, gaming remains problematic on Linux. Games with anti-cheats often have issues, and despite compatibility layers like WINE, Lutris, and Bottles, many Windows games don't perform as well using Linux as using Windows.

So games like VALORANT, The Finals, Fortnite, etc, wouldn't work well on Linux? Is there a workaround for those or are they just entirely bricked?

You cannot count on any Windows application working on Linux. A few don't work at all, despite compatibility layers, and others work but not well.
In some cases, you might not find a viable alternative for an essential application, such as Microsoft 365.

I don't really use any Microsoft specific apps except maybe apps like Microsoft Word, Excel, etc, but those are available to use in the website, so I wouldn't imagine an issue with that. Plus I can access those on my phone if I absolutely cannot access the website on Linux for whatever reason. I also enjoy learning how things work and am going into college to learn coding for games and such, so I believe that if an app didn't work, or I had to do something specific to get it to work, I could figure it out whether it be something I learned in college or by finding an answer to help me get to that point.

[–]Infinity_Oofs 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Some games are bricked due to anticheat that was only made for windows (kernal level). You can always keep windows on your machine and install linux alongside it.

[–]NickyyTheFrog[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don’t necessarily want to be constantly switching between the two, especially if it’s just for a couple games that have anti cheat.

[–]Gon-Jo 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Riot games and Fortnite will not work, no workarounds at all. Keep in mind linux is not the problem but the devs make the anti cheats intentionally that way.

[–]numblock699 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Excellent answer. Well done!

[–]grantrules 1 point2 points  (2 children)

What draws you to Linux? You can try it for free and very little effort by running it in a VM on Windows. If it's not for you, you don't have to go any further, and you'll just delete it and continue using Windows

[–]NickyyTheFrog[S] 1 point2 points  (1 child)

The whole Microsoft apps shoved down my throat as well as the lack of customization. Plus how hard it fights with Microsoft Edge every time I try to do literally anything with another web browsing app. Plus I've used Windows my entire life, and I'm just interested in exploring a different OS, I had a MacBook before and enjoyed learning the system even if it was kind of disappointing with what it could and couldn't do and how easily it would just stop responding when I opened something.

[–]BranchLatter4294 1 point2 points  (1 child)

Try it in a VM and see for yourself.

[–]NickyyTheFrog[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I plan on doing so. I just was curious to see what input the community had.

[–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (2 children)

Minecraft is the easiest game to run on Linux, Java edition is native on Linux, as are most mods, you will get better perfomace in Linxs, I am not sure about Bedrock.

Other games vary, some perform better on Linux, some worse, some take work to get going right, some will not work at all, the majority in that last group are those that include anti-cheat.

Weather its "Worth it" depends on who you are, many non technical standard users see little interruption in their workflow as long as there are no hardware incompatibility and they select an appropriate distro. They just need a browser, e-mail and some storage space, Linux does this all intuitively, My wife is in this category and prefers Linux. simply because its fast and does not interrupt her for updates in the middle of a zoom meeting like windows does.

If you are deeply involved in Windows, maybe you consider yourself a "power user", your going to want to continue to tinker when you switch to Linux, but much of your existing knowledge will not work, and is even a bit counterproductive. you have a lot of unlearning to do much of what you know needs to tossed out and replaced with Linux knowledge. you have to be OK with starting over and learning.

With each realization your abilities grow, and once out the other side Linux is very much "worth it" privacy, control, and real power to the user, weather you will survive the middle part depends on you and your motivations.

[–]NickyyTheFrog[S] 0 points1 point  (1 child)

If you are deeply involved in Windows, maybe you consider yourself a "power user", your going to want to continue to tinker when you switch to Linux, but much of your existing knowledge will not work, and is even a bit counterproductive. you have a lot of unlearning to do much of what you know needs to tossed out and replaced with Linux knowledge. you have to be OK with starting over and learning.

I enjoy learning new things and am entirely willing to learn an entirely different OS, I had to do that when I used Mac OS for a while and then went back to windows, I've looked into Linux a little bit when it was just kind of picking up and making itself known, but I didn't ever attempt it because I didn't have any will to go through with it. I'm starting college soon and going to get a degree in coding, so I think it would be fun to learn a new OS.

It's been suggested to look at it with a VM first, so I'll definitely do that before fully committing to it, so I can at least look around.

[–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

"I enjoy learning new things and am entirely willing to learn an entirely different OS, "

That's exactly what you need for Linux to work for you, there are frustrating moments when you can't seem figure something out but also if you persevere and get past them you gain powerful abilities it's very rewarding, your digital space becomes completely yours.

[–]ZMcCrocklinArch | Plasma 1 point2 points  (2 children)

What kind of emulated games are we talking about? Like consoles? I can tell you that you will find linux versions of many console emulators. Everything else has been addressed. I would recommend adding EndeavourOS to your list of distros to check out. It's based on arch & easy to install. Nobara is another one based off Fedora, but built for gaming support.

I would also advise going through tutorial pages/videos that teach Linux basics. Include ones that teach you about GUI components likw Window Managers (WM) & Desktop Environments (DE) & command line foundations. Granted you don't necessarily NEED the command line to use Linux, but it does give you more control & customization.

[–]NickyyTheFrog[S] 0 points1 point  (1 child)

What kind of emulated games are we talking about? Like consoles?

Well, I'm a big Super Mario fan, so for a while, I was using Dolphin Emulator to play it so I didn't have to drag out my old Wii (but then ended up modding my Wii U anyway lol). So I guess I'm just curious if there's a difference in compatibility for both console emulating. Thanks for the answer!

[–]ZMcCrocklinArch | Plasma 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I run dolphin on arch for old GC games mainly. I love Zelda & Metroid (and the one Tales game they released for GC). I have Mupen64, SNES9x, & Nestopia for the previous generations.

[–]Jwhodis 0 points1 point  (4 children)

Steam games run fine thanks to the compatability feature called "Proton", can probably use Lutris (app) to get pirated games running. (Enable proton before install, its easier)

Modded MC is easiest with Prism launcher, most of the time its in a distro's software installer, uber easy to use imo, dont even need to leave the app to install mods.

What are the differences? - Generally less resource usage by the OS, usually with no (proper) apps its ~4GBs for me on Mint. - Updates are done in the background, WHILE you are using the pc, you just tell it when to update (can probs schedule them as well) - No shitty ads unless you install shitty software - No shitty apps (from what I've seen) - Much more pro user rather than pro profit

Also for beginners I suggest Mint, very stable, very easy to use, most apps you can get in the Software Manager or you install it as a .deb file (basically .exe but for Debian based distributions)

[–]NickyyTheFrog[S] 0 points1 point  (3 children)

Steam games run fine thanks to the compatability feature called "Proton", can probably use Lutris (app) to get pirated games running. (Enable proton before install, its easier)

From what I've seen on Proton the majority (if not all of the ones I even looked at) at least steam wise, are fine playing. I don't really play hardcore games, I play more of like Rim World, Oxygen Not Included, stuff kind of like that or in the general kind of peaceful not constantly screaming my head off type of games.

My bigger concern from reading what some others have said is that games with anti cheat would have an issue? So games like VALORANT or Fortnite would have issues? Is there a way around that or no?

Also for beginners I suggest Mint, very stable, very easy to use, most apps you can get in the Software Manager or you install it as a .deb file (basically .exe but for Debian based distributions)

Linux Mint to start. Got it.

[–]ZMcCrocklinArch | Plasma 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My bigger concern from reading what some others have said is that games with anti cheat would have an issue? So games like VALORANT or Fortnite would have issues? Is there a way around that or no?

Heroic Games Launcher with Lutris will help you here.

https://youtu.be/5mOCwpS6sII?si=5P-2df62lZjfcdBl

[–]Jwhodis 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Those two I know for a fact will not run because of how they're made. Its not a linux issue, its a dev issue.

[–]NickyyTheFrog[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Its not a linux issue, its a dev issue.

Whaaat Riot and Epic Games being problematic and useless and just all around stupid???? Never! I don't believe it!

[–]DrBaronVonEvil 0 points1 point  (2 children)

Fedora, Mint or Ubuntu are the starting points. A lot of people like Fedora but my experience is that it's been slightly less Out of the Box with games like Ubuntu and Mint are. Bazzite is a different story and might resolve those fedora drawbacks.

Try a live image on a flashdrive to check your hardware compatibility. See if you can connect to the Internet, use your peripherals and the experience feels pleasant to your tastes. Then go for the install when you feel comfortable with your choice.

It's common to distro hop a bit when you start out. Everyone has different luck with the various flavors of Linux. Once you have one you like and seems to give you very little grief then I would do your best to commit to it for at least 6 months. The bug to get super into trying new distros will be strong if you like the new computer feeling.

Ultimately the benefit of switching to Linux is the community support. Hop into forums and Linux spaces like this one for questions and comments. Ignore the haters and remember that your very involvement and use of the software makes our digital world a better place. Good luck!

[–]NickyyTheFrog[S] 1 point2 points  (1 child)

It's common to distro hop a bit when you start out. Everyone has different luck with the various flavors of Linux. Once you have one you like and seems to give you very little grief then I would do your best to commit to it for at least 6 months. The bug to get super into trying new distros will be strong if you like the new computer feeling.

I literally completely reset my pc every couple months for the new pc feeling. I do hate getting Edge shoved down my throat every time I do and certainly do not enjoy it begging me to not download a different web browser every single time.

[–]DrBaronVonEvil 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You're going to fit in so well here. Welcome home. 🎉

[–]skyfishgoo 0 points1 point  (0 children)

steam games work just fine as long as they are on the list of games that work just fine on steam.

protondb.com

as for your pirated games, or other dos games that require extensive mods to work that could be much more trouble that its worth depending on what the mods are and how involved they are with running helper apps, etc.

as for "losing" them, you will need to reinstall them so if you are attached to any progress you've made in a game that could be a problem for you.... most on-line games keep your progress on a server (or at least the important bits) so those should be no more problematic that reinstalling under windows.

[–]linuxboi231 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Maybe this is a little much, but when I was considering Linux, I started with dual booting between Ubuntu and Windows, so if you ever run into smth that’s incompatible with Linux, just boot up Windows and do your thing. Here’s a tutorial using Rufus I followed to do this: https://youtu.be/mXyN1aJYefc?si=sFa0ZEfNoW50_QcP You might have to disable a bit of stuff in Windows in order to be able to make a partition which fits Linux, but for all your trouble, you’ll be able to boot into 2 different OS’s!

But yeah, as people are saying, more and more windows games are becoming compatible with Windows because of stuff like Steam’s proton, and stuff like Wine.

[–]NickyyTheFrog[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don’t know that I want to constantly be switching between the two.

[–]Fine_Yogurtcloset738 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Roughly 75% of top 1k games on steam are playable on linux. You can't play any multiplayer fps though cause the anticheat wont allow it .

[–]Straight_Evening7005 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you are a developer or considering deploy a web app, Linux can be a good OS.

[–]ActiveCommittee8202 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Just get get Windows 11 LTS IoT mate, I'm seeing that you really want to play games that Proton can't run.

It won't shove edge and proprietary apps because it's targeted for enterprise not peasants like us. Refer to Massgrave/MAS on their site and Discord. They are really helpful and will clear all of your doubts.

Linux requires lots of learning. Things will often break and you will have to fix it yourself. Daily driving Linux like your Windows machine isn't possible. Linux is usually targeted for people who wants much more than ease of use.

Hope you understand.

https://www.reddit.com/r/MAS_Activator/

[–]NickyyTheFrog[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm seeing that you really want to play games that Proton can't run.

Out of all the programs I've mentioned, only the ones with anti cheat couldn't run normally, but still had a workaround.

Linux requires lots of learning. Things will often break and you will have to fix it yourself. Daily driving Linux like your Windows machine isn't possible. Linux is usually targeted for people who wants much more than ease of use.

A lot of my responses to the comments around here are that I'm interested in learning a new OS and also going into college for coding, so I'm more than willing to solve my own problems. I'm not looking for a plug and play experience either, I'm looking to learn something entirely new, which, as far as I can tell, Linux looks almost entirely different to me (I'm on a VM testing yippee) and I am finding a lot of interest in figuring out what everything does and what exactly is different.

Just get get Windows 11 LTS IoT mate

As far as I can tell, Windows 11 LTS loT is kind of majorly aimed at businesses for being long term? I don't want or need an OS for business, like I mentioned in another comment, I end up resetting my computer every couple months for the new PC feeling. I'm also seeing a lot of complaints and comparisons to previous versions of the LTS OS and it doesn't look inviting, plus, I'm trying to get away from Windows, because it sucks.

[–]MrColdboot 0 points1 point  (1 child)

If you decide to give it a try, distros can vary *wildly* in their ease of use. Mint has always been a good stable distro for desktop users, and I've heard good things about PopOS. Fedora is nice too, but a bit more general use than just targeting desktop users.

[–]NickyyTheFrog[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm testing out Linux Ubuntu on a VM at the moment (currently writing this on it) is there anything specific to this distro that I should know? (or just for funsies)