The team dedicated to Linux games on Steam is currently testing out a new beta version of Steam Play which is based on software called Wine. If you’re a Linux user on your gaming computer (for whatever reason…) you’ll soon be able to play a lot more games thanks to their efforts!
The new Steam Play beta is using the modified distribution of Wine software, they call it Proton. It will allow you to run Windows games on your Linux machine “complete with native Steamworks and OpenVR support”. Proton is using Vulkan API to run DirectX 11 and DirectX 12 games which should work pretty smooth. There’s fullscreen, gaming controller support (pretty much from Xbox One, PS4 to Steam Controller) and more.
The most important thing is the performance and Valve claims that they have “greatly improved compared to vanilla Wine”.
However, the current beta supports only 27 games – inlcuding DOOM and STALKER: Shadow of Chernobyl. More games will be added soon. Games with “complex DRM or anti-cheat systems” may never run on Steam Play though and that’s understandable.
You can find out more about the beta, the full list of supported games, and how Proton works in the Steam post.
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