How to Play Windows Games on Linux
As a Linux user, one of the main drawbacks to using this operating system is the fact that many popular games are Windows-exclusive. Luckily, with the help of some software, you can play Windows games on Linux. In this article, we’ll cover the different methods you can use to play Windows games on Linux.
Wine
Wine stands for “Wine Is Not an Emulator”. It is a software that allows you to run Windows applications on Linux and Unix-like systems. It supports a wide range of Windows applications and games, making it a great option for Linux gamers. Note, however, that not all Windows games will work perfectly with Wine, and some games may not work at all.
To install Wine on your Linux system, simply open your terminal and type in the following command:
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sudo apt-get install wine
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Once you have Wine installed, you can run a Windows game by opening a terminal and typing in the following command:
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wine /path/to/game.exe
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Note that not all games will install the same way on Wine, so you may have to experiment with different installation methods to get the game running properly.
PlayOnLinux
PlayOnLinux is another software that allows you to play Windows games on Linux. It is based on Wine, but it offers a more user-friendly interface and more customization options. PlayOnLinux comes with a list of pre-configured game installations, making it easy to get started.
To install PlayOnLinux on your Linux system, open your terminal and type in the following command:
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sudo apt-get install playonlinux
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Once you have PlayOnLinux installed, open the software and select “Install” from the menu. You can then select the game you want to install from the list of pre-configured installations. PlayOnLinux will guide you through the installation process, and once it’s complete, you can start playing your game.
Steam
Steam is a popular gaming platform that offers a wide range of games for Windows, Mac, and Linux. While not all games on Steam are Linux-compatible, many of them are. To see which games are available for Linux, simply open Steam and click on the “Linux” tab in the top right corner of the screen.
To play Windows games on Steam, you can use the Steam Play feature. This feature allows you to play Windows games on Linux using Wine, without having to install Wine separately. To enable Steam Play, simply click on “Steam” in the top left corner of the screen, select “Settings”, and then click on the “Steam Play” tab. Check the box that says “Enable Steam Play for supported titles” and click “OK”.
Conclusion
Playing Windows games on Linux may seem like a daunting task, but it’s actually quite simple with the help of software like Wine, PlayOnLinux, and Steam. While not all games will work perfectly on Linux, these methods provide a great alternative for Linux gamers who want to play their favorite games. So go ahead and give it a try – you might be surprised at how well your favorite Windows game runs on Linux!