Gaming on Linux? I discovered a distro that makes it pain-free

ZDNET’s key takeaways

• PikaOS is a gaming-centric Linux distribution.
• PikaOS relies on Debian and gives completely different variations.
• You can set up and use PikaOS totally free.

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There are actually a number of Linux distributions that supply excellent gaming experiences. These distros not solely embody the software program required to play video games from companies like Steam, but additionally vastly simplify the setup course of, so that you begin enjoying your favourite video games after just some clicks.

With a user-friendly installer, you will not even have to the touch the command line. 

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Sounds too good to be true, proper? In the case of PikaOS, it isn’t. 

I gave this Debian-based distribution a attempt to see the way it labored, here is the way it went. 

Easy set up

The very first thing that impressed me was the set up course of. After the simplified OS installer accomplished, I rebooted the system and was instantly greeted by the usual user-creator display screen.

After that, the on-boarding device helped me set up the required drivers and codecs that may be required to play video games and multimedia. Next, the set up course of prompted me to put in the PikaOS Gaming Meta Package. Why, sure, thanks very a lot.

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I went forward with the set up of the meta bundle, and when it was full, I used to be prompted for one more reboot.

After I logged in, I used to be greeted by a Welcome app that supplied additional setup steps (comparable to including printer assist), establishing the feel and appear, troubleshooting ideas, and extra.

Finally, I reached the PikaOS desktop and located it to be whimsically charming. Upon opening the Application Overlay (it is a GNOME desktop, in any case), I discovered the next game-centric apps put in:

• PikaOS Kernel Manager
• ProtonPlus
• Steam
• Wine Control Panel
• Wine Prefix Configuration
• Wine Windows Runtime
• Winetricks
• Lutris
• Heroic Games

So yeah, PikaOS succeeds at its declare of “gaming out of the box.”  I clicked Steam, and it ran via its standard automated updates after which prompted me to log in to my account. I made a decision to proceed testing this declare with Steam, as a result of it is the largest participant on the block (plus, it is very easy to make use of). After including a sport to my account (from inside the Steam app), I launched the sport. 

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Keep in thoughts that a few of the downloads for these video games may be large, so give them time to complete. In reality, I’m unsure if it was the Steam servers or my ISP, however the processing of the Vulkan shaders alone for a sport dragged on till it appeared as if it was going to take eternally. Maybe it is the post-Christmas drag on the Steam servers.

Either manner, I discovered PikaOS to carry out in addition to any gaming-centric Linux distribution I’ve examined. I launched my standard check sport, Albion Online, and there was some lag, however I affiliate that with PikaOS operating as a digital machine with solely 5GB of RAM, 2 CPU cores, and no bodily GPU.

Of course, I used to be solely capable of get to date with that sport due to the anti-cheat points. Even so, within the jiffy I used to be capable of run the check, PikaOS carried out effectively.

PikaOS makes use of the GNOME desktop setting, with the Dash to Dock extension, to make for a user-friendly UI. I can not think about anybody having issues operating this desktop distribution. If you open the Extension Manager, you may discover different extensions put in however not enabled. 

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For occasion, a number of extensions are put in however not enabled by default: Apps Menu, Arc Menu, Dash To Panel, Launch New Instance, and many others. If you need to allow any of them, simply click on the On/Off slider for the one you need to use till it is within the On place. 

One factor to remember is that as a result of PikaOS is a gaming-centric distribution, you will not discover a lot in the way in which of productiveness apps pre-installed. That’s fantastic, as a result of you’ll be able to launch GNOME Software and set up the whole lot you want. And as a result of PikaOS contains Flatpak assist, there is a huge array of installable apps (even proprietary instruments like Slack and Spotify).

All-in-all, I discovered PikaOS to be a delight to make use of. As lengthy as you are operating this on a spare machine (and never a digital machine), you may discover the gaming side to be a incredible point-and-click affair.

Just bear in mind, once you’re looking via Steam video games, be sure that to not attempt to play these which are designated as Windows-only, as a result of the anti-cheat challenge will kick you out of the sport.

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If you are on this gaming-specific Linux distribution, go to the download page and seize the proper ISO to your system. If you’ve gotten an NVIDIA GPU, be sure that to obtain the file labeled NVIDIA ISO.