People typically don't look to Linux when searching for an OS to suit their gaming needs, but Linux is actually well supported for running different games as well as hosting multiplayer servers for games with non-dedicated servers or games that allow custom servers, such as Counter Strike: Global Offensive. 

It is unfortunate, however, that while you can run games on Linux, the amount of games that you can run is vastly less than Windows. This is because Linux users are responsible for around 2% of the desktop market while Windows takes up a majority of the remaining 98%. This means that developers tend to focus on Windows-compatible versions of their games rather than Linux-compatible versions. 

Linux does offer a variety of options to enjoy some of your favorite games that'll we'll list here. Hopefully, you'll be able to game through an avenue that you haven't discovered before! 

Steam

Steam is one of the most popular platforms for delivering games ranging from AAA developers to indie developers. Some Linux-compatible games on Steam are: Counter Strike: Global Offensive, Left for Dead 2, Bioshock: Infinite, and Shadows of Mordor. Steam has been about for almost 2 decades, so there's bound to be a treasure trove of more Linux-compatible games waiting to be found. If you're looking to install Steam on your Linux machine, go ahead and follow this guide.

Wine

Wine is an application that facilitates the ability for Unix systems to run Windows applications like games and certain software. When using Wine, you can run certain applications and games meant only for Windows on a Linux system. It accomplishes this by translating the code that is meant to be understood by a Windows OS into code understood by a Linux OS. Installing wine is relatively easy as it only involves inputting the following into a terminal:

sudo apt install wine

It should be noted that games may not run as well on a Linux machine if running them through Wine; This is because of the extra resources needed to make the games Linux-compatible. 

GOG

Similar to Steam, GoG is another platform that offers Linux-compatible games that you can easily buy and install. An added benefit to GoG is that all their games are DRM free, and it has often been speculated that DRM slows down performance. Additionally, being DRM free means that you in fact own the game and can play the game offline, versus some games with DRM where you technically own the right to play the game.

Native Linux Games

Lastly, there are native games made for Linux distributions available, often through the software center on different distributions. These games are often light-weight and relatively easy to run, so it's a good starting point for those looking to test gaming on a Linux machine. 

Inevitably, we hope that our very own Shells™ can be purchased as dedicated gaming machines as well as general use computing desktops.