90% of Windows Games Now Run on Linux: A Historic High for SteamOS Gaming
According to Boiling Steam, the number of Windows games running reliably on Linux has reached its highest level since tracking began. The analysis draws on data from ProtonDB, a platform that aggregates user reports on game compatibility through Proton and WINE.
Researchers note that games are categorized into five tiers: Platinum — runs flawlessly “out of the box”; Gold — requires minimal tweaking; Silver — playable but with issues; Bronze — marginal functionality; and Borked — entirely unplayable. These ratings only partially align with Steam Deck Verified, which evaluates performance on specific hardware.
The accompanying chart shows a steady rise in the number of games rated Platinum and Gold. Currently, about 90% of Windows titles run successfully on Linux, while the share of “broken” (Borked) games has fallen to a historic low of roughly 10%. These improvements are attributed to the continuous work of the Proton and WINE development teams, as well as Valve’s proactive engagement with publishers prior to release to ensure Steam Deck compatibility.
Some titles—such as the MOBA March of Giants—still refuse to launch, often due to explicit restrictions imposed by their developers, as confirmed by ProtonDB reports. Yet instances of games transitioning from nonfunctional to partially compatible, like Blade and Soul NEO, are becoming increasingly common.
Certain projects continue to demand manual adjustments to DLL libraries, as in the case of the visual novel Sickly Days and Summer Traces, which launches only after installing protontricks. On another front, progress remains hindered by anti-cheat systems lacking Linux support—an obstacle that, according to Boiling Steam, can only be overcome through the widespread adoption of Linux-based devices.
This surge in compatibility makes Linux and SteamOS ever more appealing to gaming hardware manufacturers: today, roughly 80% of popular titles are fully supported. Moreover, on AMD-based systems, Linux frequently outperforms Windows in raw performance.
Support for HDR on desktop systems is also improving, while rendering quality and driver stability are bringing Linux closer to parity with traditional gaming platforms. As Boiling Steam concludes, “Five years ago, few believed in the future of gaming on Linux—but now, its success is impossible to ignore.”
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