Valve's Proton project has brought 6,500 Windows games to Linux so far

When some ask why support Steam / Valve, this is a fantastic example. Valve has been highly invested and interested in Linux for ages, supporting directly and indirectly alike. For those who either already prefer Linux, or are interested in the platform yet concerned about game compatibility, Proton is a phenomenal tool. While based on and contributing back to other open source Linux compatibility projects such as WINE, DXVK, and others, Proton ups the ante in usability and performance alike. Its worth noting that besides contributing to related projects from which it is based/forked (ie development/enhancements that Valve adds are merged to WINE ), Proton itself is fully libre / open source AND independent of Steam! Valve could have developed Proton in a way that made it very reliant on Steam and/or otherwise restrictive (such as minimum openness to qualify with licensing of component programs, yet a proprietary "secret sauce" in order for it to fully function etc), but thankfully it proves another example of their support of libre development, Linux, and an ethos of openness in general.

It should be noted however that as excellent a project as Proton might be, it is not nor should it be treated as equivalent/preferable to developers supporting Linux natively. Much like WINE, its a workaround not a status quo. Games that may work via Proton do not have the Linux / SteamOS icons or official support, though Proton (unlike standard Wine) thankfully does "count" as Linux played time (Wine,as would be expected, is counted as Windows). There is some other minutia regarding reporting of accurate metrics/wishlisting and whatnot, but the big issue is that Linux native titles encourage OS-agnostic development , official support, and otherwise benefit in ways that Wine or even Proton does not. While Proton does show a general sort of interest in Linux gaming, it does not put Linux forefront as a desired platform. A Proton compatible game can run the gamut from a very aware developer who tests updates and the like on Proton and fixes any issues that impede a parity experience (lots of indies who are Linux interested yet inexperienced fall in here, or indies who are under the thumb of a publisher that won't allow Linux porting expenditure / has already focused on Windows-only middleware etc..), to a developer with no real interest, happy if their game runs on Proton but won't take any time/effort/expenditure in ensuring it continues to do so or fixing bugs that impact Proton experience; out of sight, out of mind. This is not to undervalue Valve or Proton's contribution to Linux gaming, but the wide gamut in potential developer/publisher interests in Proton compatibility means that we must continue to advocate for Linux native support. Proton is an excellent tool in cases where the dev/publisher is unable or unwilling to consider native Linux, but we must avoid when player and development voices alike say "Proton is good enough", relying upon it yet developing specifically for Windows without thought of the impact thereof.

Valve's effort with Proton is extensive and to be appreciated for support of openness, forward thinking ideals, and Linux gaming. 6500+ games and climbing, many of which may not have come to Linux, knocks down a large barrier to adoption for many potential users of the OS. The important thing here is for Linux users, new and old alike, to leverage this into momentum. Players who found Linux viable for them thanks in part to Proton making games of interest playable can continue to advocate for advancing native Linux gaming and overall support of the OS. With luck, inertia is built with Linux viability and support continuing to grow ; the last decade's accelerated progress owed in large part to Valve and projects like Proton!
 
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