What Linus got wrong (and right) about Linux Gaming in 2025

Love ’em or hate ’em, LinusTechTips (and Linus himself) are extremely influential. When he comes out here and says things about the State of Linux Gaming, people listen. Overall, I feel he did a good job summarizing the important details in a digestable way. However, there were a few things I felt he missed. So here’s my reaction to LTT’s latest Linux Gaming video.

Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdR-bxvQKN8

I highly recommend the following PCs to use as Steam Machines (affiliate links)
❯ Minisforum Neptune: https://amzn.to/4gHun9J
❯ Geekom AE8 (w/ $70 coupon): https://amzn.to/4gF4lUA
❯ 8BitDo Ultimate 2C Wireless Controller: https://amzn.to/403fw2b
❯ DualSense Controller: https://amzn.to/4a4g38C
❯ Xbox Elite 2 Controller: https://amzn.to/3DIdD3n

*My Game*
❯ Dudelings on Humble: https://humblebundleinc.sjv.io/9LWQeW
❯ Dudelings: Arcade Sportsball: https://store.steampowered.com/bundle/41202/Dudelings_Arcade_Sportsball_Deluxe_Edition/?utm_source=yt-every-video
❯ Dudelings on Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=io.heavyelement.dudelings&pcampaignid=yt-every-video
❯ Dudelings on Itch.io: https://heavy-element.itch.io/dudelings

*Affiliate links*
Services I Recommend:
❯ Proton Drive: https://go.getproton.me/aff_c?offer_id=43&aff_id=10074
❯ Proton Pass: https://go.getproton.me/aff_c?offer_id=38&aff_id=10074
❯ Proton VPN: https://go.getproton.me/aff_c?offer_id=26&aff_id=10074
❯ Proton Mail: https://go.getproton.me/aff_c?offer_id=7&aff_id=10074
Best Steam Deck Accessories:
❯ SanDisk 1 TB card: https://amzn.to/3z8mMfH
❯ Steam Deck Dock: https://amzn.to/3PDjgkt
❯ Steam Deck accessories: https://amzn.to/4c2XKkM
❯ DualSense: https://amzn.to/3WR1u1R
❯ Gulikit KK3 Max controller https://amzn.to/4dqRaoC
❯ DualSense Edge: https://amzn.to/4cuzIyd
❯ 8Bitdo Pro 2: https://amzn.to/46R7hcz
❯ Amazon Suggested Products: https://amzn.to/4fAha2h

*Elsewhere on the Web*
❯ My podcast: https://podcast.subscribeto.me
❯ Merchandise: https://shop.heavyelement.io
❯ Email Newsletter: https://heavyelement.com/newsletter
❯ 🐘 Mastodon: https://mastodon.online/@gardiner_bryant
❯ Peertube: https://subscribeto.me/
❯ Heavy Element: https://heavyelement.com
❯ Mastodon: https://mastodon.online/@gardiner_bryant
❯ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@gardiner_bryant

*Support the Show*
❯ Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/gardiner_bryant
❯ Patreon: https://patreon.com/thelinuxgamer/
❯ Merch: https://gardinerbryant.com
❯ Humble: https://www.humblebundle.com/store/?partner=thelinuxgamer
❯ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCv1Kcz-CuGM6mxzL3B1_Eiw/join
❯ Amazon affiliate: https://amzn.to/3iYb4gd

About Gardiner Bryant: A native Maine resident, Gardiner (yes, that’s his first name) is an enthusiastic Linux evangelist, a believer in the efficacy and superiority of the Free and Open Source way, and President of Heavy Element. Heavy Element offers web design, media production, and YouTube consulting services to individuals and companies in Maine and beyond.

https://heavyelement.com

— Chapters —
00:00 Introduction
01:13 Valve’s declaring war on Windows
02:19 Great options for Linux gaming
03:09 What’s it like to install SteamOS on a custom-built PC
04:30 Do Linux distros require too much configuration to play games
07:03 Let’s stop with the antique meme distros
07:29 When people make the great penguin migration, it will be on a Steam-powered train
09:25 Installing the Steam Recovery Image
12:07 Linux doesn’t always support every piece of hardware
15:42 Some Linux users lack perspective
16:14 What Gamescope really is…
18:49 “The most remarkable thing about the SteamOS experience”
22:06 “I’ve gotta set SteamOS up in my living-room”
23:57 The HDR experience
24:59 Hardware support
26:15 “There’s an enormous library of games that ‘just work'”
27:18 Linus recommends building a Linux gaming PC for your Livingroom
27:57 Immutable Operating System
31:23 The Biggest Mistake of Linus’ Video
33:47 Keyboard & Mouse with the Steam Deck
35:32 Linus’ Conclusion

#SteamOS #linuxgaming #linustechtips