Pop!_OS was a lifesaver when I was learning Linux. You can just look up Ubuntu related questions for tech support, the graphics drivers are preconfigured, and the interface is easy to use.

I’m on CachyOS with KDE now, but I highly recommend Pop! for a first-timer not looking to tinker.

Also, with ProtonTricks you can still mod stuff. It’s not perfect, but there’s a version of Mod Organizer 2 for Linux ;P

Its has been great:
Most of the games I already played worked on Linux.
Some you might have more fps.
Some less Some Games (e.g, Gmod) use Proton instead of the Native build.
Some games (e.g, Tf2) you can only Use Native which uses DXVK.
For Gmod cause its very outdated(Chromium is outdated,OGL only,lower fps) Had to quit Roblox and Fortnite to remove windows + those games sucked anyways and roblox just platform decision
I also Like how Directx 9 and 11 are Vulkan underneath the hood results in more fps.
And you can also Translate OGL calls into Vulkan via Zink. (Also via Nvidia it works)
Modding is also Similar how you do it on Windows(except maybe for some special windows only mods)
The only things I hate is VKD3D-PROTON sucks on Nvidia.
And that some games require launch options(which is fine for me,But not fine for people who want No tinkering).

every single player game i want to play works well, sometimes better than windows. straight up.

the only issue you are gonna have nowadays is some studios blocking linux out from multiplayer games.

here’s a comprehensive list of what works: https://areweanticheatyet.com/

I uninstalled Windows few years ago even though I play the latest AAAs and indies games, including in VR, that’s how good Linux for gamers.

You can check my post history but basically once you have your hardware well supported (basically the right drivers) and rely on a good system to evaluate compatibility (e.g. ProtonDB) then you won’t get any surprise.

I suggest though that you try it yourself, e.g setup a Linux distribution of your chosing, a game you already own and… see if it feels good. If it does not, feel free to ask around and people will be happy to help if you provide a clear problem with your documented attempts to fix it, at least you can count on me.

So… finally why did I change? Well beside the “it actually works” it is also a lot more coherent with my own WorldView and my skillset. I’m a professional developer, WebXR prototypist to be more specific, so having an OS that does not put arbitrary (well, mostly about control for profit) limits on what I can or can not do is simply better. I can play for fun AND I can tinker with the same OS. I don’t have to reboot if I just happen to have an idea that I want to try, I can just do it right here and there.

TL;DR: it works and it’s better, giving me all the freedom I need to be creative and not feel constrained.

PS: also not giving more money to multibillionaires from Microsoft does feel nice.

Games mostly work. If they have a native Linux version they work (and more games have a native Linux version than you may expect). For Windows-only games, there’s a compatibility layer called Proton (which is a gaming-focused fork of a more general compatibility layer called Wine) that lets you run Windows executables on Linux. IME most Windows games run flawlessly with Proton. You can check games on https://www.protondb.com/ to see how well they run on Proton.

Rimworld has a native Linux version, and I’ve not had any problems with Rimworld mods from Steam workshop on Linux. Never tried modding Skyrim so can’t say on that.

Fantastic, try it yourself!!

http://nobaraproject.org/

It really depends, what you want to play. Old games run great for me, emulation is also good.

New games mostly work if they are not competetitive multiplayer.

Mods also mostly work for the games I play (FTL and Celeste e.g.), also mods through steam workshop like in Tabletop Simulator just work for me.

What didn’t work are as mentioned some multiplayer games that are too harsh on anti cheat. SMITE e.g. works, but LoL doesn’t.

As others mentioned, its best to have either a native version or an entry in ProtonDB with gold or platinum.

The only game I have not been able to get work has been pubg. Everything else has been great and run fine once proton was up and running. I am using bazzite 41 as my current distro.

I’m joining the linux cult. I’m switching my main gaming pc this week. I’m sick of seeing news of Microsoft aiding in atrocities and destroying game studios.

most mods dont work on linux

Mods work just fine, it’s mod managers that sometimes don’t work.

If mods don’t have manual setup instructions, I install them on Windows, copy back to Linux the mod config file and happily play on Linux.

The only reason I kept Windows on my PC was to play League with a friend occasionally. So at some point I removed Windows completely to free disk space and I told my friend he could install Dota 2 if he wants to keep playing with me :D

I have bazzite on a gaming only HTPC and it’s a gazillion times easier to use than having windows boot into big picture mode. It’s just so much better, I rarely have to keep a mouse around with me now for when I want/need to change system settings.

Honestly, we’ve been eating pretty good fam. See https://www.protondb.com/ for game compatibility on Linux.

The only remaining pain points are (see the provided links for databases on what does and doesn’t work):

• Anti-cheat; https://areweanticheatyet.com/
• VR; https://db.vronlinux.org/

Every game works on my Steam Deck so far.

I always check ProtonDB before buying a game, but I might stop as everything without special anticheat works out of the box.

I just have to add that I’m not into multiplayer games so it might be why everything works easily.

Because it’s easier, it just works and it doesn’t nag me.

I use Bazzite, it’s been the best computing experience I had.

Ask anything you want.