Are there any Linux distributions designed for gaming?

Question

I was considering setting up a new computer. I want to run it as a gaming computer, but I want to limit spending by using a Linux OS. Are there any that are better for facilitating gaming? I don't really want to use Ubuntu though. I tried that and it was a huge pain. I could never get the command line to properly work for installing software.

Answer 1

Yes there are. Not windows games but linux games. You can read some reviews of these distros and try the live cds to see which might work best for you.

I do not know why you are trying to install software for ubuntu via the command line. All software for ubuntu should install perfectly via the graphical installers like the Ubuntu Software Center or Synaptic.

Here are a few of the linux gaming sites from google.

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

While Linux may not be the best thing for Windows games, there are plenty of Linux games, java games made for a variety of platforms that work in Linux, or even classic Windows games ported to Linux (which may need the original game for data files). Linux comes with grub boot loader that can dual boot Windows and Linux for the best of both worlds.



Many year ago I used to play multiplayer "Quake II" in Linux into all hours of the night on a Pentium 100 w/3dfx VooDoo graphics. "Doom" was also ported to Linux.



More recently I have been playing java based Minecraft from www.minecraft.net which may appear simplistic at first, but can be a challenge and addicting once you get into it, with a limitless world to explore or build, single or multiplayer, while keeping an eye on monsters coming out of dark places. YouTube videos and the Minecraft wiki help you figure out how to do things.



If you want to try some Linux specific games, web search "linux game dvd" which you can download as an image and burn to a self booting DVD.



So someone who says you cannot play games in Linux must be thinking of Windows specific games.

Answer 3

If you want to run Windows games, run Windows.



There is a Windows compatibility layer on Linux, but not all Windows games are supported.

Answer 4

Are you talking about Windows games? Then no.



There are Linux gaming distro, but they come packed with open-source games.



http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=linuxgamers

Answer 5

no, the problem with linux is that it cannot use the windows directX well which is used for gaming. openGL and similar works well on linux thu but only old games if even they have support for that.



Short anwser. no you cannot play games on any linux

long anwser. some games work, very few with wine, and even fewer works well (check winehq for what programs that work)