Proton-GE is a community-built fork of Valve's Proton. It offers better game compatibility and performance for Linux users. If you're using Arch Linux, installing Proton-GE can significantly improve your gaming experience.
Why Use Proton-GE?
Proton-GE includes patches and improvements not found in the official Proton releases. Many gamers use it to run games that struggle with standard Proton. It also adds support for newer versions of Wine, DXVK, and FAudio.
Another key advantage is its flexibility. With Proton-GE, you can tweak settings for better performance. Many users report that some games work better with this version than with the default Proton.
Prerequisites for Installing Proton-GE
Before installing Proton-GE, ensure your system meets the requirements. You need an updated Arch Linux setup with Steam installed. Having git and yay (or another AUR helper) will make the process easier.
Check if your graphics drivers are up-to-date. NVIDIA users should install nvidia-dkms, while AMD users should have mesa and vulkan-radeon. These drivers are crucial for smooth gaming.
How to Install Proton-GE on Arch Linux
The easiest way to install Proton-GE on Arch Linux is through the AUR (Arch User Repository). Use an AUR helper like yay to simplify the process.
- Open a terminal and update your system:
sudo pacman -Syu
- Install yay if you don’t have it:
sudo pacman -S yay
- Use yay to install Proton-GE:
yay -S proton-ge-custom
This will download and install the latest Proton-GE version. It ensures you have the most recent patches and fixes for gaming.
Manually Installing Proton-GE
If you prefer manual installation, download the latest Proton-GE release from GloriousEggroll’s GitHub.
- Extract the downloaded archive to:
~/.steam/root/compatibilitytools.d/
- Restart Steam to detect the new Proton-GE version.
This method is useful if you want to install a specific version or troubleshoot issues.
Setting Up Proton-GE in Steam
Once installed, you need to enable Proton-GE for your games. Open Steam > Settings > Steam Play and enable compatibility tools. Select Proton-GE from the dropdown menu.
To use Proton-GE for a specific game, right-click on it in your library. Go to Properties > Compatibility, then select Proton-GE as the preferred version.
Updating Proton-GE
To keep your installation updated, run:
This ensures you always have the latest improvements for game compatibility.
If you installed Proton-GE manually, check the GitHub page for new releases. Download and replace the old files in your compatibilitytools.d folder.
Conclusion
Installing Proton-GE on Arch Linux unlocks better compatibility for Windows games. Whether using the AUR or a manual install, it’s a simple process. Keeping it updated ensures the best gaming experience on Linux.
Try Proton-GE and see how it improves your favorite games. If you encounter issues, check ProtonDB or the Linux gaming community for solutions.