762
3% is insanely high for those of us who remember the early 2000s. I am loving this.
this post was submitted on 02 Dec 2025
762 points (99.6% liked)
Linux Gaming
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It's been moving fast. It barely moved like a decade ago
I'm surprised Bazzite isn't higher on the list, here, it really seems like the OS I hear about whenever Linux gaming comes up.
I switched to Bazzite based on a recommendation and it's been a fantastic OS for me (gaming and light development/home labbing) and I no longer have any desire to distro hop.
Took a bit to figure out the immutable stuff for some very niche things I needed done, but other than that ezpz
Without having tried it, I think Bazzite fits a certain user group very well, but is less suited for other users. Which is fine.
I don't really see how it's particularly good for homelabbing, but use whatever works for you.
I don't really see how it's particularly good for homelabbing
I'm assuming by that he meant as a distro for his personal PC that he uses to SSH into his home lab or access the web interfaces. Not to run on the servers
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That list is just weird and only shows a few specific distros. If you go to the Linux only results you get way more info. It shows Bazzite as used by 5.53% of respondents, +1.29% from last month.
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0.15% in a month
that's 1.8% in a year if it stays so, but it's gonna get faster
year of the Linux desktop soon
I'm part of that 0.15%. I had been dual booting Windows for years and finally made the full switch with win10 EOL
Linux mint 21: loses a little
Linux mint 22: wins a little
my brother in christ. they just updated their pc
Importantly, there was a net increase in Linux users and a net decrease in Windows users.
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Linux use on steam has also passed mac use. The three most popular mac versions are still used by more than the 3 most popular linux versions, but the total for macs is under 3%.
And for me personally, I didn't even have to give anything of value up to make the switch. I kept my old windows machine in a running condition as a backup, but I think I'm about ready to start retiring that machine entirely, at least as a windows machine.
3% is insane.
I am not a "year of linux" huffer. The majority of the population doesn't even know what a filesystem is, much less (for example) how to get to the BIOS setting they need to even install linux.
But 3% is absolutely a threshold for "viral social spread" amongst those that can.
It's like damn look how good the general Linux desktop got with barely any general consumer adoption for about 30 years. Imagine what it could get around ~10%. 20 years ago Mac's were only around 5%. I love gaming on Linux but my main thought is how this is the trojan horse that brings users and some funding and developer attention to open source applications. Kdenlive needs love. Ardour needs love. Darktable. Get them all the Blender treatment someday
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Love to see it
3.2% is like 5 million active users if Steam overall has 156 million active users, but they're likely higher than that
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Thanks for the users, Microsoft!
I feel like the number of "I switched to Linux" videos on YouTube have exploded recently, although it might just be some algorithm thing.
All of the major gaming youtubers have made at least a couple videos featuring Linux over the last couple months, which is definitely a big change from the windows-only (except sometimes servers) content of years past.
Gaben embracing Arch has been great for Arch in general. I can't even remember the last time my Arch install crashed.
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I think there is a real change in people’s mind . Windows is at it worst since forever. Just this month 2 people in my inner circle just ask me how can they Make the switch and which distro should they use for their needs. Those 2 were hardcore Windows fan and gamer.
I also had a friend ask how to install Linux or where to buy a computer that has it preinstalled. It's getting out there.
It's time to make Microsoft hurt. Let's go!
should be a market for 'old' hardware with linux. just drop them in a web browser and most can't tell the difference. like a chromebook. win11 is just pushing people to buy new hardware. let em. other reasons to upgrade hardware
GamingOnLinux estimates >7% of English language install base for Steam is using Linux (if I'm understanding this correctly): GamingOnLinux Steam Tracker
Yeah, indeed. Steam language breakdown is about 40% English, 30% Chinese, 10% Russian, 5% Spanish, 15% other. Chinese speakers overwhelmingly use Windows rather than Linux, so choosing 'English only' basically doubles the Linux percentage.
I'd be interested to know why Linux has such bad update in Chinese-speaking regions. (It's the lingua franca for much of Asia, so not just China, just largely China.) Obviously, inertia plays a part - easier to move to Linux if you know someone else that can help you, which if there's no-one then you might be a bit stuck. Are the fonts crappy? Are the input methods greatly superior in Windows?
I would put it down to censorship. Not of Linux directly but of information about noncomformity. Windows is the default OS for desktop PCs and I imagine it is easier to get exposed to the idea of searching an alternative in the west than in China. If you never question the oppressive bullshit corporations are doing to you, you will not think to break free and use Linux.
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I am waiting for SteamOS Desktop to be released before switching. I want the support of an 800lb corporate gorilla, that prioritizes gaming. I use mods and play niche games, so I need a Linux that balances casual users while allowing for some power user stuff.
I already know about Bazzite and Cachy, but again, I want the support of a focused giant who won't die or change hands.
I've been gaming on Arch (btw) since 2013 and only had minor issues I could resolve with a bit of googling.
Things have only gotten better over the years. Steam will just work on pretty much any distro as it has its own runtime.
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awesome!
I'm curious as to how much profit is lost by M$ or Apple for each basis point of the market that switches to Linux.
These are private computers for gaming with Steam installed. This will literally be less than pocket change to them. They likely lose more from pirated Windows and secondhand purchasers of Apple products.
The amount of money tech giants lose will not be affected for a long time. The main achievement for Linux right now would be to get a foothold, to make it known to the public, to normalise its use. The big change will come when organisations start moving to Linux (which you would think would be a priority considering the fact that it is free and more secure).
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Someone needs to show this to the higher ups of Ubisoft
It was gaming all along guys
Got my new bazzite gaming laptop YTD!
Screw you, windows, I'm out
This vacation I finally decided to ditch Win for EndeavourOS, it has its quirks sometimes, but I can mostly play without issues, so refreshing to not rely on M$
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