Why Linux Gaming Performance Sucks.

Gardiner Bryant -

I've gone on the record as saying that Linux is the best platform for gaming—and I stand by that.

But many articles and benchmarks have shown that some games don’t work as well on Linux as they do on Windows.

I think we should explore this. So let's deep dive on why Linux gaming performance sucks—sometimes.

It All Started With No Man’s Sky

What got me thinking about this issue was the fact that No Man’s Sky ran so poorly on Windows compared to PS4 on launch.

And this isn’t a one-time thing. This issue has really dogged Windows launches in the past.

Take Batman: Arkham Knight for example. It was released for Xbox, PlayStation, and Windows. This (and many more like it) have terrible, comparatively worse performance on their PC release.

So why does it seem like Windows gets the short straw with these multiplatform titles?

When you can answer that question, you’ll start to understand why gaming performance on Linux can suck, too.

But Wait—Linux Gaming Can Be Better

In fact, gaming on Linux is a better and more enjoyable experience with most games.

I’ve covered this topic in another video you can check out here.

I’m not a numbers guy. In my opinion, benchmarks and 1:1 comparisons aren’t all that helpful. But there are games that run significantly better on Linux than on Windows.

Games like:

  • DOTA 2
  • Left4Dead 2
  • Many other Valve games

These have a significant performance advantage on Linux. And instinctively, that just feels right. That’s how most games should be.

The Linux Advantage: A Streamlined System

Why?

Because Linux has a more streamlined architecture. There’s less overhead, and there are more resources available to the game.

So... why do Windows releases get the short end of the stick?

The Problem

It’s the current model of game development.

Game developers build their games for the closed platforms that Sony, Nintendo, and Microsoft proffer. They do so at the behest of their publisher.

And often, the PC is an afterthought.

Developers don’t spend as much time or effort getting their games polished and optimized for PC because of budgetary constraints or other concerns the publisher might have.

So Why Does Linux Gaming Performance Suck?

For the same reason.

I’ve heard many theories—“It’s the display drivers!” A few years ago, that might’ve been a valid issue.

But we’re approaching parity. At this point, that’s a lame excuse.

The real problem is the perception:

“Linux isn’t a viable gaming platform.”
“The Linux gaming audience is too small or too niche.”

There are devs and publishers who disagree with this. But even then, some don’t know what they’re doing—or don’t give their developers enough time to port games properly.

Why I Still Prefer Linux for Gaming

Even though a handful of games run worse on Linux, I still think Linux is better for gaming.

Now I hear you asking:

“Hold on.
How can it be better if some games run worse?”

A Warning From Tim Sweeny

Let’s talk about the future. Tim Sweeny of Epic Games once said:

“Slowly, over the next five years, [Microsoft] will force-patch Windows 10 to make Steam progressively worse and more broken.
They’ll never completely break it, but will continue to break it until, in five years, people are so fed up that Steam is buggy that the Windows Store [will] seem like an ideal alternative.”

That’s exactly what they did to their previous competitors in other areas. Now they’re doing it to Steam.

Microsoft’s Anti-Consumer Direction

If we stay the course and allow Microsoft to monopolize the desktop operating system, then we are slowly ushering in the death of everything that makes the PC great.

They’ve already started:

  • Locking down PC hardware
  • Forcing upgrades to Windows 10
  • Deleting people’s Linux partitions on “accident”
  • Pushing inferior UWP builds on the Windows Store
  • Promoting the Windows Signature line which removes choice of OS

If these anticompetitive practices continue, Tim Sweeny’s prophetic words won’t be our only concern.

A locked-down Windows could:

  • Prevent you from using Chrome or Firefox—unless you get it from Microsoft
  • Force you to use Windows Media Player instead of VLC
  • Implement mandatory DRM on all software
  • Lock out The Humble Store, GOG, or even outlaw the GPL

Linux: The Platform of Choice

In the Linux world, there’s no corporation to make rules or wall off the garden.

Linux is built with openness in mind. It’s licensed as Free Software under the GNU General Public License.

Linux is better for gaming for one simple reason: choice.

And even if some AAA games run 10% slower on Linux machines today... I’ll be having fun with my indie games.

Indie Games: The Unsung Heroes

They don’t seem to have the issues the huge releases do—and they’re usually more fun anyway.

Games like:

  • Undertale
  • Rocket League
  • What the Box?
  • Hyper Light Drifter
  • Stardew Valley

These prove that Linux gaming is a force to be reckoned with.

I think sometimes we lose sight of what’s really important when it comes to games.

I don’t care if a game runs at 800 FPS or 60. All I care about is if a game is fun.

But I can tell you one thing that isn’t fun: This stupid debate about game performance.