I would like Gabe to with the EU to make a EULinux. They both have respective reasons to get away from Microsoft’s control over software, and I would very much like to daily drive a Linux without worrying about game compatibility. Unfortunately, I am stuck with Windows because I play many obscure or old games, and simply hate dealing with technical hassles enough as it is. Here’s hoping that Linux becomes good enough within a couple years from now.
The idea here with the VM is two-fold: First, to keep a potential Windows Big Brother update from spying on my documents and whatnot, while also preventing it from tampering with the security of my PC. Secondly, to maximize compatibility, since I lost trust in Linux to not have technical issues with my gaming. That means mods, Japanese games, emulators, and so forth. Windows is simply more reliable and documented, unlike Linux. If something goes wrong with a game playing on Windows, there is decent odds of me troubleshooting. My hardware should be able to handle a VM, it being a 5950x with a RTX 4090+3060, and 128gb of RAM.
Anyhow, I don’t really remember the specifics regarding how my efforts with Lutris, Heroic Game Launcher, and so forth went: I don’t like remembering unpleasant things. All that I recall is assorted errors or lack of features that rattled my willingness to trust Linux for gaming. I will try again some years for now, if I hear Linux has become more suitable to the task.
I am already on a Internet of Things edition, which is the debloated version of Windows. However, that still leaves the possibility of Microsoft going fascist and sending out a Big Brother update.
Regarding Linux, it was indeed Mint that I tried to use - it seemed similar to Windows, at least visually. Getting standard software was easy enough, and things seemed promising until I started to migrate my gaming. I mod my games a fair bit of the time, or play niche stuff that hardly has support on Windows. It became very apparent that Linux can’t handle that, not yet. In a couple of years I will revisit Linux.
I tried to switch to Linux several days ago, but there were clear issues regarding games that weren’t tied to Steam. Heroic Games Launcher, Lutris, Bottles, and so forth all had shortcomings regarding compatibility, handling of DLC, or lack of user-friendliness. Then I tried to use a VM, which was a frustrating rabbit hole. Virt-Manager supports GPU passthru, but you have to jump through hoops to identify PCI addresses and to configure correctly. Boxes initially seemed promising, but had no apparent way of storing the VM on my gaming drive. (Linux terminal commands are beyond my understanding.) Considering how big games are getting, and the size of my collection, that is a bad combo. Virtualbox doesn’t have GPU passthru, so the performance sucked.
As a gamer, I currently find Linux to be insufficient. I was wanting to switch due to security concerns regarding Microsoft, especially in light of the Trump Regime’s willingness to ignore law and norms. My concern is that they could use Windows as a spy, or to seal up my computer to punish those who go against Dogey America. As it is, I will have to use some scripts from Github to break Windows Update if I hear of Richmond being infiltrated by the Xitler Youth.
Here’s hoping that Gabe decides to invest much more heavily in Linux to make it casual friendly - I want my mods, cheats, Japanese locale games, emulators, and so forth to all work seamlessly and without compromise. I would seriously pay $400 smackers to have an OS that is capable, flexible, compatible, friendly, and most importantly, MINE.
The days of just buying Windows 7 Ultimate and not thinking about Microsoft was glorious.
Think of it this way: Microsoft can use Copilot down the road to monitor what games and media you have. Considering that the Trump Regime has literally forced the disbanding of military cultural clubs, removal of posters featuring minorities or women, established a DEI watchlist, and so on…as someone who plays a great deal of Japanese games, I wouldn’t feel safe. Plus my PC has all of my passwords, documents, and so forth.
Ask yourself this: “Am I safe from persecution?”
Just because you have no interest in politics, it doesn’t mean that politics aren’t interested in you.
America just lost a huge amount of federal workers, Elon has broken into the treasury, and Trump ended our foreign relations for no good reason.
America is splitting apart, and corporations will have to pick a side. Considering that Microsoft controls the most common OS in the world, it would be very strange if DOGE didn’t try to take control.
Law only works when the authority, whatever form that takes, wishes to uphold it.
Elon took over the treasury, despite not having the security clearance or congressional oversight. Yarvin’s Cabal does not respect authentic law, and treats it merely as set dressing to justify whatever pleases them.
The left should do the same in kind. Use both force and words, but never mistake the latter to hold weight among those who don’t care.
Here, try this. The Internet Archive is very useful, as is abandonware sites and CDRomance for your vintage gaming needs.
There is a conversion of Wolfenstein 3D for the ZDOOM. Best way to play the game if you want mouselook and other nice things.
I ply in games that aren’t sold on Steam, that require Japanese locale, do mods, and so forth. Edges cases even on Windows can be a problem. My efforts with trying to get into Mint, made it clear that issues would pop up.
Linux is an good idea, but not yet suitable for intermediate users.