This blog post is by Gardiner Bryant, who you might know from YouTube (he covers Linux and Steam Deck in great depth.

I thought this one might be interesting for Linux and Steam Deck users here, if you missed it.

The link to the blog post is here!

…or just as interesting for those who like tinkering, and seeing what is ‘under the hood’ doing what!

The blog is is pretty beginner-friendly with how to run Windows games on Linux using Steam Play compatibility tools like Proton and WINE. It explains:

  • Why compatibility layers are needed – Different operating systems handle system functions differently, so tools like Proton translate Windows game commands into something Linux understands.

  • Performance impact – Unlike emulation, these tools don’t slow things down much, and some games may even run better thanks to optimizations like Vulkan support.

  • Different tools available – It compares WINE (general Windows app support), Proton (optimized for gaming), and community versions like GE-Proton (extra features).

  • How to use them – Simple steps for enabling them in Steam and recommendations for checking game compatibility on sites like ProtonDB.

  • Bonus tools – Mentions alternatives like Luxtorpeda (native Linux game ports) and SteamTinkerLaunch (modding support).

Why I think this blog might help beginners - or curious folk!

If you’re new to Linux gaming, I thought this this post really demystifies how Windows games can work on Linux, what tools to use, and where to find help.

Annnnd that link again (pointless, since its the same as at the start of the post here) is here - to Gardiner’s blog!

And finally, Gardiner’s YouTube account is here, if you want to see the face behind the name

Hope it helps someone, anyway <3