Over the years, Linux has had little to offer gamers. Of course there were some nice games (like one of my favorites, Frozen bubble ), but not many more. Then came Wine, which allowed users to play Windows games on Linux.
Today there is Steam.
Steam brings the world of gaming to Linux with great simplicity and variety. All you need to do is sign up, install the Steam app, and start purchasing games or playing free games.
You’ll find tens of thousands of games to choose from, including popular new titles like Manor Lords, Songs of Conquest, Hellblade II, Hades II, Mech Engineers, A Tower Full of Cats, Survival: Fountain of Youth, The Witcher 3 REDkit, and Rasant.
Fortunately, installing steam on Debian and ubuntu-based distributions is incredibly simple. Let me show you how.
How to install Steam on Linux
With Fedora and KDE it’s extremely simple, open the Finding application, and from “Discovery” search for Steam and install it. Then it will appear in the “Games” menu and that’s it.
What you will need: The only thing you will need is (for this example) a running instance of a Debian or Ubuntu-based Linux distribution and a user with sudo privileges. Once the installation is complete, you will also need a Steam account to purchase and download games. There are two different ways to install Steam. I’ll show you both.
The first thing you need to do is log into your Linux desktop and open a terminal window.
Next, add the Multiverse repository, which offers non-free software titles.
To do this,run the command:
sudo add-apt-repository multiverse
You will be asked for your sudo password. once you have successfully authenticated, you will be prompted to press Enter on your keyboard.
Once the Multiverse repository is added, update apt (the advanced packaging tool for software installation) with the command:
With apt updated, you can now install Steam with the command:
sudo apt-get install steam -y
How to install Steam with Snap
There is an even easier way to install Steam. you just need to run the following command:
Running Steam
Once the installation is complete, open Steam from the desktop menu. On first run, Steam will download and apply a full update, so wait for it to complete first.
Once this is done, the Steam account login window will open, where you can log in with your account credentials or create a new account.
You can log in with your credentials or with the QR code.
After logging in, you can start playing any games you want right on the linux operating system.
Steam is ready to help you dive into the world of gaming on Linux.
whoever said that Linux would never be a viable gaming environment at the time coudl not have predicted that Steam would come to herald a new dawn for the open source operating system.
Try Steam and see if it opens up a world of Linux fun for you.
– how can new users troubleshoot common issues when gaming on Linux?
Interview between the Time.news Editor adn Gaming Linux Expert
Editor (E): Welcome to Time.news! Today, we’re diving into the evolving relationship between gaming and Linux. Joining us is Dr. Linda Morales, a renowned expert in gaming technology and advocacy for Linux gaming. Thank you for being here, Dr. Morales!
Dr. Morales (M): Thank you for having me! It’s exciting to talk about this topic that’s close to my heart.
E: Let’s start from the beginning. For many years, Linux was not considered a viable platform for gamers. What were the main challenges that gamers faced in the Linux environment?
M: That’s a great question! Traditionally, Linux had a limited game library. While there were a few gems like “Frozen Bubble,” the vast majority of popular games were developed exclusively for Windows. This created a perception that gaming on Linux was impractical. However, tools like Wine, which allowed the emulation of Windows games on Linux, started to change that landscape.
E: Absolutely. But Wine was just the beginning. Fast forward to today, and we have platforms like Steam available for Linux users. How has Steam influenced the gaming landscape for Linux users?
M: Steam has been a game-changer, quite literally! With its extensive library of games and ease of access, Linux users can now enjoy a wide range of titles without the hassle of complex installation processes. Signing up, installing the Steam app, and diving into thousands of games has made Linux a much more accessible platform for gamers.
E: It’s extraordinary to see that level of accessibility! Can you highlight some of the popular titles available on Steam for Linux?
M: Certainly! Some of the exciting titles include ”Manor Lords,” “Hellblade II,” and “Hades II.” We also have classics like “The Witcher 3” and fun indie titles, which showcase a healthy blend of mainstream and indie gaming. The variety is phenomenal, and it encourages more developers to consider Linux in their gaming strategies.
E: Great to know! Also, it seems that installation of Steam on Linux is straightforward, especially for Debian and Ubuntu users. Could you provide a swift overview of how easy it is to get started?
M: It really is quite simple! For users on Debian or Ubuntu, the installation process only requires a bit of command line knowledge or even some clicks through the graphical interface. You’d need a running instance of a Debian or Ubuntu-based distribution and a user with sudo privileges. Then, itS just a matter of installing the Steam app via the software center or terminal, and you’ll see it pop up in your Games menu almost promptly.
E: That sounds user-friendly! what changes do you envision for Linux gaming as we move forward?
M: I envision more major game developers taking Linux seriously, especially with the ongoing growth in the open-source community. As Linux gaming gains traction,I believe we’ll see improved compatibility,more ports of popular games,and perhaps even exclusive titles developed for Linux. Gamers should feel empowered by this shift!
E: Exciting times ahead! One last question - for those who are considering trying out Linux for gaming, what advice would you give them?
M: My advice would be to start small. Try out a user-friendly distribution like Ubuntu or Pop!_OS and experiment with installing Steam. Don’t hesitate to explore forums and community resources; the Linux gaming community is incredibly supportive. Most importantly, have fun and enjoy the experience of gaming on a platform that champions player freedom!
E: thank you, Dr. Morales! Your insights are invaluable, and it’s fantastic to see the gaming world opening up to Linux users. We appreciate you taking the time to discuss this with us.
M: Thank you for having me! Let’s keep the conversation going about the future of gaming on Linux!