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Tux, let's play. Are there games on Linux? Can Linux replace Windows as a gaming platform?

Most of those who switched from Windows or Mac OS to Ubuntu are faced with the fact that their favorite games do not work on Ubuntu. And the fact is that game studios pay little attention to the Linux platform due to the fact that the Windows OS is more widespread, and there is also an opinion that Linux-based distributions are not widespread and unstable. This is precisely why Ubuntu was created, which has a user-friendly interface and sufficient stability.
This topic is based on an old blog post by LinuxGames07 and contains an overview of the ten best games for Ubuntu, as well as installation method, screenshot and video about the game and its description.

1.Tremulous

Multiplayer game, a mixture of 3D-action (FPS) and real-time strategy (RTS) genres. The game runs on the Quake III game engine and was originally created as a modification (mod) for the Quake III game.

Installation:
sudo apt-get install tremulous

2.Gridwars

A port of the popular free game Geometry Wars from the Xbox 360. A moderately attractive, albeit simplified game. The gameplay is somewhat reminiscent of the famous Crimsonland. Well, the file size is simply ridiculous by today's standards...

3.Vdrift

A car simulator based on drifting (as you might guess from the name). Excellent physics, a storm of emotions, 21 types of cars, including Porsche from Formula 1, and a bunch of tracks are waiting for you.

Installation:
sudo apt-get install vdrift vdrift-data

4. World of Padman

World of Padman features a fun comic book world about a character named Padman. You have to fight with microscopic heroes on the desktop, the lawn of a house or the sewer with equally small opponents.

5. Nexuiz

3D first-person shooter based on a modified Quake engine. In Nexuiz you can fight both online with real opponents and with bots.

6. Scorched 3D

The gameplay is very simple and does not require any special skill. Players are placed randomly on a 3D map and aim to destroy an enemy tank. You are allowed to adjust the angle of rotation and force of the shot, as well as select ammunition and equipment.
In one turn, a participant can either make a shot or move his military equipment to another location. Another gameplay element includes an economy system where participants buy weapons and other gadgets with money earned by killing opponents. Each type of ammunition or other equipment has its own different properties. One of the main features of the game is the graphics engine, which allows you to completely change the landscape on the map. (from Wikipedia)
http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_A02O7LIxo

Installation:
Ubuntu App Center > Games > Scorched 3D

7. Glest

Real time strategy. The first version was released in 2001.
The game takes place in a fictional world. The player is given two playable nations, Magic and Tech. Since the release of version 2.0, many changes have been made to all aspects of the game. In terms of gameplay, the game is very reminiscent of Warcraft 3. (from Wikipedia)

8. Flight Gear

A flight simulator that will allow you to feel like a pilot of many civil and military planes and helicopters, take off and land at airports in most cities around the world.

Installation:
Ubuntu App Center > Games > Flightgear

9. Battle for Wesnoth

War for control of settlements using different military units, each with their own pros and cons on different types of terrain and against different types of attacks. Units gain experience and gain new levels; they can be used in subsequent campaigns.

Installation:
Ubuntu App Center > Games > Battle for Wesnoth

10. Alien Arena

Free online shooter with first-person view. The game combines a 1950s science fiction atmosphere with gameplay similar to Quake, Doom and Unreal Tournament. (from

There are a huge number of versions of Linux. On DistroWatch.com only for last month more than 300 distributions were noted, and in the entire history of Linux there were about 700 of them. How to choose among this abundance?

Two main criteria to pay attention to:

Popularity of the distribution. The more popular your distribution, the easier it will be to find manuals for it on the Web. The large community means that you can easily get help on the distro's forums if you have any difficulties mastering it. Finally, the more widespread the distribution, the more apps and packages ported for it. It’s better to choose popular solutions with a ready-made package base than to struggle with assembling from source code in some exotic distribution.
The development team behind it. Naturally, it is better to pay attention to the distributions supported large companies like Canonical Ltd., Red Hat or SUSE, or distributions with large communities.

Please note that even the best distributions have analogues that are not much inferior to them. If you are somehow not satisfied with Lifehacker’s choice, you can try alternatives.

For those who have never used Linux - Linux Mint

New users who migrated from , should definitely install Linux Mint. Today it is the most popular Linux distribution. It is a very stable and easy to use system based on Ubuntu.

Linux Mint is equipped with an easy and intuitive interface (Cinnamon shell for modern computers and MATE for older machines) and a convenient application manager, so you will not have problems finding and installing programs.

Pros: simplicity, care for ordinary users. You don't need any specific knowledge to install and use Mint.

Minuses: a large number of pre-installed software that may never be useful.

For those who want the latest software - Manjaro

It is a popular Linux distribution based on Arch. Arch is an incredibly powerful and feature-rich distribution, but its KISS (Keep It Simple, Stupid) philosophy, contrary to its name, makes it too difficult for beginners. Arch can only be installed via the command line.

Manjaro, unlike Arch, has a simple graphical installer and yet combines powerful Arch features such as AUR (Arch User Repository) and rolling release. AUR is the richest source of Linux packages. If any application is on Linux, it is probably already in the AUR. So in Manjaro you will always have the latest packages.

Manjaro comes with a variety of desktop shells to choose from: functional KDE, GNOME for tablet screens, Xfce, LXDE and more. Manjaro, you can be sure to be the first to receive the latest updates.

Pros: AUR, thanks to which you can install any application without unnecessary movements. Always the latest software.

Minuses: unique design of desktop shells. However, nothing prevents you from replacing it.

For home server - Debian

A home server can be useful for many purposes. For example, to store data and backups, download torrents, or arrange your own dimensionless .

Debian will do well on your home server. It is a stable and conservative distribution that became the basis for Ubuntu and many other Linux systems. Debian uses only the most trusted packages, making it good choice for the server.

Pros: stability and a large set of applications.

Minuses: the need to manually configure the distribution after installation.

For Media Center - Kodi

If you want to set up your own media server, choose Kodi. Strictly speaking, Kodi is not a distribution, but a full-featured media center player. You can install it on any Linux, but it is best to choose the Ubuntu + Kodi combination.

Kodi supports all types of video and audio files. It can play movies, music, and organize your photos. Kodi turns anyone into an all-in-one entertainment device.

Thanks to extensions, Kodi can download media files via torrents, track new seasons of your favorite TV series, and show videos from YouTube and other streaming services. In short, Kodi does it all.

In addition, Kodi is very beautiful and optimized for control with remote control or Android devices. You can easily customize Kodi's interface with a variety of visual skins.

Pros: a huge number of functions and convenient controls.

Minuses: The standard interface may not be to everyone's liking, but it is easy to replace.

For Desktop - Kubuntu

The KDE graphical environment is ideal for use on the desktop, and Kubuntu is the most popular KDE distribution. Like many other distributions, it's based on Ubuntu, which means you won't have any application compatibility issues.

Kubuntu is beautiful, functional and easy to customize. Even novice users can easily handle it. It's a stable and polished system that provides all the features you need for a home desktop PC.

Pros: a large selection of packages, a wonderful set of KDE applications and a huge number of interface settings.

Minuses: Kubuntu uses a stable version of KDE, which means that the latest features of this shell come here late. If you want to try out the latest KDE, KDE Neon is at your service.

For an old computer or netbook - Lubuntu

This version of Ubuntu is based on the LXDE shell, which is lightweight and resource-efficient. It is aimed at older or low-power machines. If you have a not-so-new computer or netbook lying around that can't handle Windows, you can do it by installing Lubuntu.

This Linux distribution consumes few system resources and can run on almost any configuration.

Pros: very fast and easy system. However, it supports the same packages and applications as its older sister Ubuntu.

Minuses: LXDE's appearance won't be to everyone's taste, but it's a small price to pay for performance.

Alternative: .

For tablet or convertible - Ubuntu

Ubuntu is one of the most popular Linux distributions on the desktop. As of version 17.10, Ubuntu ends support for the Unity shell and migrates to GNOME. And GNOME looks quite good on devices with touch screens. If you have a tablet and want to try installing Linux on it, try Ubuntu with GNOME.

GNOME's large UI elements, customizable gestures and extensions make Ubuntu a great system for touchscreens.

Pros: Ubuntu is a widespread distribution, which means you can easily find all the software you need. In addition, most Linux sites are dedicated specifically to Ubuntu.

Minuses: The GNOME shell is convenient, but at first it seems unusual.

For laptop - elementary OS

As the name suggests, this version of Linux is very simple. You won't have any problems mastering it. It runs easily on laptops and consumes battery slowly.

The interface of elementary OS is reminiscent of macOS, so it will be a pleasure to use for Mac fans. Animations, window decorations - everything here is so smooth and pretty that you can simply admire the system. However, behind the beautiful shell of elementary OS lies a full-fledged Linux that supports all the applications necessary for work.

Pros: beautiful interface, own indie app store.

Minuses: The Pantheon graphical shell, although it looks stylish, is not very functional.

I recently became the owner of a powerful and practical Asus X550JK laptop at a very attractive price. One of the main advantages of this model can be emphasized by the fact that the X550JK is offered without a pre-installed operating system (at least in the XO031D modification), which makes it a good purchase for users who prefer to independently choose the software platform suitable for their specific needs - be it the popular (but paid) Microsoft Windows or one of the many (but free) Linux distributions.

One of the main arguments that usually goes in favor of Windows in such cases is related to video games. Modern versions Linux is a completely viable competitor to Windows for most everyday tasks (web browsing, multimedia entertainment, office work etc.), but from the point of view of games things are somewhat different.

It's no secret that most (almost 90 percent) modern games for PCs rely on the DirectX programming interface developed by Microsoft. At the same time, the vast majority of computer systems in the world run Windows. Therefore, it is not surprising that companies in the gaming industry create their products specifically for this operating system, and not for Linux, which represents a very modest niche in the market.

However, Valve, the company that owns the digital game distribution service Steam, has been making a concerted effort over the past two years to break (or at least shake) this status quo. The main tool the company is relying on to achieve this goal is called SteamOS - a specially modified version of Linux that is available for free and organized around the Steam platform.

At first glance, an attempt to popularize Linux as an environment for computer games not such a bad idea. Moreover, judging by the more than 1,000 SteamOS/Linux titles currently offered in Valve's digital store, we can conclude that the company has already achieved some of its goals.

This figure suggests that developer attention is on the table, there are real games out there (including top-notch, big-budget titles, not just niche indie titles), and it's only a matter of time before Windows loses its position as the dominant gaming platform. But is it? I decided to test this in practice. For this purpose, I used the Asus X550JK mobile computer mentioned at the beginning of the text, which was not bad from a gaming point of view, on which operating systems other than Windows were installed, and with one main thought: games! Here is the result.

Of course, at first my choice fell on SteamOS for two reasons: simple reasons. Firstly, its creators from Valve claim that with this operating system they offer an alternative to Windows, designed specifically for games. Secondly, because (again, according to Valve) SteamOS was designed to be as easy as possible to install, configure and use, even for users without special knowledge.

SteamOS is currently only available as a beta and can be downloaded for free from Valve's website. At first glance, it becomes obvious that the developers have made sure that as many enthusiasts as possible give their product a chance. For example, the installation and initial setup process is described in detail and translated into several dozen languages, including Russian.

The installation itself does not pose any particular problem - everything is very easy and quick. You just need to extract the system files to a USB drive with the FAT32 file system, and then boot your computer from it. The installation process took me a few minutes, and after that I had a ready-made SteamOS machine at my disposal.

Unfortunately, here I encountered the first serious problem - the system did not detect the laptop’s discrete video card (NVIDIA GeForce GTX 850M) and instead installed the driver only for the graphics core built into the processor, which, as you yourself know very well, is extremely insufficient for comfortable games. On the Internet you can find various proposals to solve this problem, including downloading and installing the driver manually, but this, in my opinion, is an impossible task for inexperienced users. Yet we're talking about about Linux - about working in a terminal window, entering complex commands, unzipping and recompiling libraries - all these are things that a user accustomed to simple, understandable and accessible graphical interface it will be extremely difficult to cope with.

However, I decided to bring the experiment to the end and look (albeit using the video core built into the processor) at two games available for Linux/SteamOS: Civilization V and Metro: Last Light Redux.

The resource-intensive first-person action game from 4A Games categorically refused to launch, citing the fact that the system could not find a graphics accelerator compatible with OpenGL 4.0. It’s worth remembering here that most modern 3D games on Linux rely on the OpenGL interface, since DirectX is only available in the Windows environment.

The Civilization V strategy, unlike Metro, did not object in any way to the presence of integrated graphics and launched, but with minimal graphic settings.

To summarize: at the current stage of its development, Valve's operating system has left mixed impressions. Obviously, the company will have to work harder in terms of driver support, although at this stage I'm inclined to think that the problems I encountered may well be related to the fact that SteamOS is currently only available as a beta. It is possible that the final version of the system will do a much better job of automatically detecting and configuring key hardware components.

Now I can't recommend SteamOS as an alternative to Windows, especially for laptops, which often contain very specific hardware modules. Finding Linux (not to mention SteamOS) compatible drivers for components like this will be extremely difficult.

There is another serious argument against SteamOS regarding the possible role of this platform as a worthy replacement for Windows. This is a highly specialized modification of Linux with rather limited functionality. In other words, SteamOS is designed solely as an environment that allows you to buy, download and play games. The only other possibility is that the system allows you to browse sites through the built-in browser, which is also very primitive.

Performing other tasks outside of video games is simply not possible. As a result, SteamOS effectively turns your computer into a gaming console, but cannot be used for anything other than gaming entertainment.

Since the initial Linux-based choice disappointed me a little, I decided to continue the experiment with one of the most popular free OS distributions - Ubuntu. This is not a beta version, unlike SteamOS, but a platform with more than 10 years of history behind it. In addition, the development company (Canonical) positions it as a full-fledged competitor to the ubiquitous Windows, which is just as easy to install, configure and use.

I downloaded the latest version (14.04.2 LTS) from the company's official website, burned it to a flash drive using the Universal USB Installer tool, and then booted the laptop from it.

Then the installation process was extremely simple and fast, after which I had a working system along with an integrated office suite (LibreOffice), browser (Firefox), media player and a bunch of other things. useful programs- all this is completely free.

The problems started when I went directly to the Steam client. For some inexplicable reason, the Steam module categorically refused to start, explaining this by the mysterious absence of several system libraries. Finally, after hours of searching online and trying to overcome this problem, I gave up.

Although it looks and behaves (in some places) like Windows, Ubuntu quickly showed that beneath its surface lies a rather complex and not very user-friendly operating environment. Despite the nice interface, switching to Ubuntu requires a major change in your habits and way of working. For example, each of the possible solutions to the Steam client problem that I found on various discussion forums required entering complex commands into a terminal window. This is a task that would intimidate most users without advanced technical knowledge.

This was my third (and final) attempt to prove that PC gaming with Linux is as easy and accessible as the fans and supporters of the free operating system claim.

I downloaded the distribution package, burned it onto a flash drive (again using the Universal USB Installer) and began installing the operating system on the laptop.

And again, for the third time, my experiment failed because, for reasons inexplicable to me, the Mint installer refused to complete the process of copying the system to disk, and repeated attempts to complete the installation invariably ended with a vague error message that I was never able to resolve.

Conclusion

What did my practical experiment in finding a free alternative to Windows for computer games show? Currently, the most promising option (not surprisingly) is Valve's SteamOS distribution. If the company tries to provide really good and hassle-free support for a fairly wide range computer equipment, it is quite possible that in the foreseeable future even more ordinary users (and gamers) will decide to try SteamOS. The question is whether this will be justified in view of the fact that we are talking about a highly specialized operating environment, organized exclusively around the idea of games and closely associated with a specific service - Steam.

The question of the quantity and quality of game titles should not be underestimated either - although Linux has been growing in popularity lately, the operating system is still very far from being considered a “mass platform”. This is clearly evident in the still limited range of games that are available for this operating system.

As for other, older and popular alternatives such as Ubuntu and Mint, they offer much more functionality. But, unfortunately, even against the background it is already very rich history, they still do not leave the impression of a system that is friendly and convenient (to a sufficient extent) for the user.

Of course, all of the above is my personal opinion based on practical experience, which involves trying to achieve specific goals using a specific laptop model. Judging by the fact that Ubuntu and Mint, and now SteamOS, have their own ever-growing circles of fans, my experience may not be particularly indicative in this regard. That's why I don't want you to view this material as some kind of attempt to disparage Linux or defend Windows. Both operating systems have their many pros and cons, and each user can decide for himself which is best for him.

Have a great day!

For the first time in for a long time Linux users have a reason to smile. If previously you had to resort to emulators or Wine to run games on Linux, now, after the release of Steam on Linux, the number of available games for the free OS has increased significantly. In this collection, we will look at the best games for Linux, which were previously available only to Windows users.

1 XCOM 2

Linux game – XCOM 2

2 The Talos Principle

The Talos Principle for Linux

The Talos Principle for Linux is a first-person puzzle game in which the player has to explore ruins ancient civilization. The scriptwriters raise questions that trouble the minds of more than one generation of scientists and ordinary people: what is consciousness? can a machine feel? what does it mean to exist? The game contains more than 120 puzzles in different historical settings.

4 Wasteland 2

Wasteland 2 for Linux

Wasteland 2- one of the best post-apocalyptic role playing games for Linux by Brian Fargo and InXile Entertainment. It is a sequel to the 1988 game Wasteland. The game is 100% funded by fans of the series and future players using Kickstarter and Paypal.

5 SOMA

SOMA for Linux

SOMA for Linux is a sci-fi horror game set in... research center, where something inexplicable happens. There will be no weapons in the game, and all obstacles will have to be overcome only with the help of your ingenuity. Great horror game for Linux.

6 American Truck Simulator

American Truck Simulator for Linux

There are people whose calling is the road. Turning the steering wheel and pressing the pedal is their lifestyle, but one thing distinguishes them from racers: the presence of big cars and no less large cargo. In American Truck Simulator, you will plunge into this world and take control of a heavy vehicle to deliver the cargo on time.

7 Cities: Skylines

Cities: Skylines game for Linux

Cities: Skylines is a city-building simulator from Paradox, where players can create absolutely any city, which is limited only by the player’s imagination. The game does not suffer from gigantism in the spirit of Zurab Tsereteli, but it brilliantly creates real cities with real inhabitants, which the neighbors never dreamed of. Architecture in Cities: Skylines- the activity is fascinating, and sometimes tricky in a good way.

8 Civilization V

Civilization V for Linux

Civilization V is the fifth part of the grand turn-based strategy from the Firaxis Games studio, which will absorb all the best from the previous four games, as well as add a lot of new things. In Civilization, players traditionally take on the role of the leader of one of the world powers, and, since ancient times, lead it to victory. On the way to victory, players can unite in alliances, fight with each other, or pursue a policy of complete isolationism. There are many ways to win Civilization 5, and only one of them involves military conflict.

9 Civilization: Beyond Earth

Civilization: Beyond Earth for Linux

Civilization: Beyond Earth is the next part of the cult series of turn-based strategies, which is the ideological successor to SidMeier’s Alpha Centauri. The plot of the game takes place after several colonizing ships left the Earth and headed to Alpha Centauri - to look for worlds that can shelter humanity.

11 Dying Light

Dying Light for Linux

Dying Light is an action-horror game for Linux with a first-person view, an open world and a day-night effect from Warner Bros. for PC, PS3, Xbox 360, PS4 and Xbox One. The player will have to dynamically move around the urban area, craft weapons and various devices for protecting against the infected, and collect ammunition.

12 Kerbal Space Program

Kerbal Space Program for Linux

Kerbal Space Program is a spacecraft launch simulator - from rockets to full-fledged stations, in which you have to assemble them from scratch. Kerbal Space Program instills a passion for all things aerospace and teaches the fundamentals of orbital mechanics in the most fun way possible.

13

Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor for Linux

Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor is a third-person action game for Linux in the Lord of the Rings universe, set between The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings itself. The main character is a lone elven ranger who travels to the wastes of Mordor.

14 Transistor

Transistor game for Linux

Transistor is an action RPG for Linux in a sci-fi setting. Players have access to weapons of unknown origin with which they go to explore a futuristic city of the future. main character- a young girl who will reveal the secrets of the world of Transistor.

15 Prison Architect

Prison Architect for Linux

Prison Architect- a dark strategy for Linux, with pictures from the life of prisoners. Players will have to solve problems such as constructing new buildings, supplying electricity to them, arranging furniture, etc. The plot of the game is conveyed through cut scenes showing events in the lives of prisoners.

16 Metro: Last Light Redux

The main advantage of the collection Metro: Last Light Redux for Linux- these are two games in one box. Two just good games, quite adding up to one excellent one. Are the changes that are included in such an assembly noticeable? Even if not, there are advantages for fans of the Metro series!

17 Crypt of the Necrodancer

Crypt of the Necrodancer for Linux

Crypt of the Necrodancer is a game made in a mixture of turn-based strategy and roguelike genres in which the player will have to dance with sabers. In this case, the player will have to explore ancient dungeons, fight dragons, minotaurs and other fictional creatures.

18 Europa Universalis IV

Europa Universalis IV for Linux

Europa Universalis 4- an ideal platform for the implementation of ultra-long-term plans, for tens and hundreds of years. All elements of the game fit together flawlessly and work as a single mechanism. If the new “Europe” were not so secondary and evil towards unprepared minds, it would not have escaped the highest score.

19 Crusader Kings II

Crusader Kings II for Linux

Crusader Kings 2- This global strategy for Linux in real time. Crusader Kings 2 models the system of feudal relations in medieval Europe and in the Middle East, including personal relationships between thousands of characters, wars (including crusades), intrigue, and the struggle for influence over the Pope.

20 Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel and Borderlands 2

Borderlands for Linux

Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel And Borderlands 2 is a fantasy action game for Linux with RPG elements, the events of which take place on a distant planet named Pandora, inhabited by colonists. People who arrived on the planet were expecting a different, better life, but received new enemies and a lack of vital resources. The story of the game is built around a group of four mercenaries who arrived on Pandora for the sake of profit, and fell - like all the inhabitants of the planet - into a hole. Together they decide to find the legendary Vault, which is rumored to contain countless treasures from bygone civilizations.

21 ARK: Survival Evolved

ARK: Survival Evolved for Linux

ARK: Survival Evolved is an adventure game for Linux, made in the genre of a collective journey. Together with other players you will have to land on the mystical island of Ark and build on it new civilization. You will work together to fight powerful and dangerous dinosaurs, collect resources, grow fruits and vegetables, build houses and fences. Your task is to survive, reclaim the island from nature and turn it into your home.

22 Papers, Please

Papers, Please for Linux

Papers, Please is a immigration officer simulator for Linux in which players will have to check papers a certain number people, and either refuse to allow them to stay in the country or let them through.

23 The Witcher 2: Assassin of Kings

The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings for Linux

The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings is a continuation of the famous project based on the Witcher novel series. Compared to the first part of the series, virtually all aspects of the game have undergone changes: the day and night cycle has been improved, the game engine has been changed, new system combat and dialogues, new magical powers and the Quick-time Events system (when the player has to press the buttons displayed on the screen in time).

24 Terraria

Terraria for Linux

Terraria- strategy for Linux. Create weapons to fight different enemies in different biomes, build houses and castles, and engage in trade in the sandbox mode. The game has a graphical style of 2D sprite elements, reminiscent of the 16-bit sprites of the SNES system. The game is known for its classic exploration-adventure gameplay style, similar to the styles of Metroid and Minecraft games.

25 This War of Mine

8 Best Linux Gaming Distributions of 2016

Long gone are the days when it was impossible to find games for Linux. In fact, the number of games being developed for Linux is more and more, the development process does not stop, the growth is stable and beyond last years this is most noticeable.

While there are hundreds of Linux distributions out there, all with different mantras and for different purposes, distros created for the sole purpose of gaming are not released very often. But of course there are some really good ones that have been developed and are already available to everyone. Today we'll be looking at a comprehensive list of the best Linux distributions for gaming.

These distributions are equipped with various drivers, software, emulators and tools for a more convenient gameplay, so you can install them right now and enjoy the gaming experience.

The Best Linux Distributions for Games

Just to clarify, the distributions that will be listed below will be considered in random order, this is not the top from the first position to the last, which one you choose is completely up to you since it is quite difficult to determine the best one by the top, I hope you will try it and unsubscribe in the comments which is better and why.

1.

Steam OS is one of the most popular gaming distributions developed by Valve Corporation. From the creators of Steam. Steam OS is designed exclusively for running games from the Steam client.

Based on: Debian 8 (Debian Jessie)
Desktop environment: GNOME, optimized for quick keyboard and joystick access.
Package format: DEB

Steam OS supports a variety of graphics cards and joysticks/gamepads. If by chance the driver for your hardware is not included out of the box, you can always manually configure it.

Equipment requirements :

Processor: Intel or AMD supporting 64-bit architecture
Memory: 4 GB or more RAM
Hard drive: 200 GB or larger drive
Video card: NVIDIA video card / AMD video card(RADEON 8500 and higher) / Intel Graphics
Additionally: USB port for installing UEFI firmware (recommended)

Pros:

Soothing user interface
Mail support for all the latest Graphic Cards
Compatible with various additional devices, joysticks/gamepads
Huge collection of games from the built-in Steam client

Minuses:

High hardware requirements
Running games only from Steam

If you have upgraded your computer and your machine meets the requirements of the Steam OS, without a doubt, this distribution is worthy of being installed on your computer, whether to install it or not is up to you.

2. Sparky Linux - Gameover Edition

Sparky Linux - Gameover Edition is another one of the best distributions for games.

Based on: Debian
Desktop Environment: LXDE
Package format: DEB

Sparky Linux - Gameover Edition comes with a built-in special utility called Aptus Gamer. This utility makes it easy to install support for various consoles, emulators and other tools for gamers. Aptus Gamer supports a very large list of emulators.

A large number of Linux games come pre-installed with this distribution. Apart from the above, it also comes with a pre-installed Steam client, Windows gaming with Wine pre-installed, and PlayOnLinux bundled with Sparky Linux - Gameover Edition.

It is also worth adding that a utility is provided pre-installed to help you install proprietary drivers for your video adapters and additional devices, set-top boxes, joysticks, and you can also install multimedia codecs using this utility.

Pros:

Steam Games supported
Support for installing games using Wine and PlayOnLinux
Aptus Gamer Tool support
Stable version of the distribution

Minuses:

I would like to mention it, but I can’t, it’s too good.

If you want a stable Linux gaming distribution that supports a wide range of games from a variety of platforms, try this one.

3.

Game Drift Linux is optimized to provide the best gaming experience on Linux. It provides out-of-the-box support for Linux and popular games for Windows.

Based on: Ubuntu
Desktop Environment: MATE
Package format: DEB

Game Drift has its own game store filled with various games open source, has both simple and a large number of high-quality Linux games in its list. The game store is regularly updated with new games, there is never any downtime. The game store in this distribution supports the installation of games with one click of a button without additional husk like I agree and so on.

There is built-in support for CrossOver technology to run Windows games. You can play more than 1200 games that are developed for Windows. You will also be able to run various Windows software with CrossOver.

Processor: 1-2 GHz processor (32 or 64 bit)
Memory: 1-2 GB RAM
Hard disk: 4GB hard disk
Video card: ATI, Nvidia or Intel
Additionally: LAN / Internet

Pros:

Your own game store
Windows game support

Minuses:

CrossOver is not free as you need to buy a key to activate it

If you want support for Windows games and can afford to spend the money to buy a CrossOver license, Game Drift Linux is a good choice for you.

4.

Play Linux is another good gaming distro for Linux and comes with Steam and PlayOnLinux pre-installed.

Based on: Ubuntu
Desktop Environment: Nebula
Package format: DEB

Nebula is a lightweight and customizable environment that includes a wide range of settings for the appearance of Play Linux. Play Linux automatically detects the load on the processor and disables unnecessary functions without user intervention, such as Compiz, temporarily while you are busy with the gameplay so as not to load your video card with unnecessary loads that you can do without.

Unique features for the Play Linux distribution are provided by the integrated AutoGPU installer. It automatically configures and installs its graphics drivers so you don't have to waste your time.

Pros:

Simple and lightweight distribution
Steam support
Pre-installed PlayOnLinux (for running Windows games)
Automatic installation of graphics adapter drivers

Minuses:

Beta version of the distribution
May not be suitable for very new games, although this will smooth out over time

If you want a gaming distribution that is also compatible beyond the gaming experience with regular desktop use for everyday tasks, you can choose Play Linux.

5.

Lakka OS is completely different from the distributions we discussed above. It's a lightweight Linux distribution that turns your computer into a full-blown gaming console, literally.

Based on: OpenELEC
Desktop Environment: RetroArch

Lakka OS is capable of emulating a wide range of consoles. Systemically provided support for all necessary console emulators for comfortable gaming in the RetroArch environment.

All emulators are provided with pre-improved configurations, specially optimized so that games on Lakka OS run more smoothly and without problems, which cannot be said about emulators without prior configuration. Most games have very low hardware resource requirements, with the exception of Playstation or Xbox games.

The key features of Lakka OS are Multiplayer, Savestates, Shaders, NetPlay, rewind and wireless joystick support.

Pros:

Easy in robot
Beautiful interface
Large number of supported emulators
Various supported hardware
Automatic joystick recognition
Various useful functions for games

Minuses:

No Steam support or Windows games

If you are a hardcore gamer with a console and a high-end computer, Lakka OS is without any doubt waiting for you.

6.

Fedora Games Spin is a great example that demonstrates the capabilities of the Fedora distribution for running games.

Based on: Fedora
Package format: RPM

Fedora Games Spin comes with thousands of Linux games. With a link to the official website:

The included games cover several genres, first-person, real-time and turn-based strategy, all games are logical in nature.

Steam client, Wine or PlayOnLinux are not installed by default. If you want Steam and Windows game support, you'll need to manually install them using a package manager. Some pre-installed games also require additional requirements to launch and begin playing.

Pros:

Thousands of pre-installed Linux games
Stable, fast and lightweight distribution

Minuses:

No out-of-box support for using Steam and Windows games
Drivers are not pre-installed
Not for hardcore gamers

Although this distro is not that advanced for gaming, but if you are a Fedora hobbyist and fan, you should try this distro.

7.

Ubuntu GamePack is a gaming distribution that provides support for about six thousand Linux and Windows games. It was developed to bridge the gap in game availability between Linux and Windows.

Based on: Ubuntu
Desktop Environment: Unity
Package format: DEB

Ubuntu GamePack does not include any games outside the box. Rather, it opens the door to running Linux, Steam games, Windows games and various consoles on your computer.

The Steam client, Lutris, Wine and PlayOnLinux come pre-installed with the Ubuntu Gamepack. Lutris is an open gaming platform for managing console, Linux, Steam and Windows games.

There is support for Adobe Flash and Oracle Java. So, you won’t have any problems when playing online games.

Ubuntu GamePack also provides a dedicated repository with a collection of hundreds of games.

Pros:

Pre-installed Lutris
Compatibility for online play
Support for installing games from Steam and launching Windows games and consoles

Minuses:

May seem a little slower than other distros listed above

8.

MGAME (formerly known as Manjaro Gaming) is a distribution designed for gamers and Manjaro fans.

Based on: Manjaro
Desktop Environment: Xfce

MGAME automatically installs the necessary drivers for popular graphics cards. It also provides various tweaks for an optimal gaming experience.

MGAME comes with various additional utilities and sources that are often needed by gamers; additionally, it comes pre-installed with applications for video editing, video recording and streaming, applications for creating high-quality screenshots, etc.

There is pre-installed support for a huge list of console emulators. Wine and PlayOnLinux are also preinstalled to run Windows games. If you want to play games on Steam, you'll have to manually install the Steam client, which is a feat on Arch Linux-based distros since Steam is not officially supported on Arch.