04 Install Gaming Packages!

Thanks to STEAM & WINE gaming in Linux is getting quite easy.
These again could be installed “normal” with the Store, but I like command lines.

Install WINE ( = WINE Is Not an Emulator)

enables 32-bit on system:

sudo dpkg --add-architecture i386

Makes folder for keys, if not existing (can do either way):

sudo mkdir -pm755 /etc/apt/keyrings

Adds the key:

sudo wget -O /etc/apt/keyrings/winehq-archive.key https://dl.winehq.org/wine-builds/winehq.key

Next, need to add the repo MAKE SURE YOU GET CORRECT VERSION FOR YOUR OS!
WINE HQ Download Page

• For Ubuntu 22.04 (jammy) which is base of Pop!_OS 22.04:

sudo wget -NP /etc/apt/sources.list.d/ https://dl.winehq.org/wine-builds/ubuntu/dists/jammy/winehq-jammy.sources

Now update & install WINE!

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --install-recommends winehq-stable

Finally, change mode to Windows10 below: (Windows XP for debian server)

winecfg

Install Lutris (Linux game launcher & WINE assistant)

Lutris can install games for you, using their database!
Or, you can point it to manually installed games, and it will add to launcher.

Install FlatPak:

flatpak install flathub net.lutris.Lutris

Settings to tweak if games have issue:

• First, always use winetricks to make separate prefix per game!!
• Wine Version (down to 8.9, etc.)
• DXVK, other similar settings
• Use winetricks to install vcrun2022, or others needed

Install WINETRICKS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Useful additional setup tool for WINE; can add missing dependencies.

sudo apt install winetricks

sudo winetricks --self-update

Use wine tricks to make wineprefix for each game!

• Open winetricks, select ‘new prefix’
• Select 64-bit, and name it
• new prefix is stored in: ~/.local/share/wineprefixes
• Using lutrix, or installer, to point to that new directory
  

Additional tips & Tricks

Depending on video card, of course make sure drivers are installed!!

Add vulkan and other drivers that games need:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:graphics-drivers/ppa && 
sudo apt update

• For nvidia GPU systems:

sudo apt install -y libvulkan1 libvulkan1:i386

• If using AMD-based graphics (preferred for Linux!!):

sudo apt install mesa-vulkan-drivers mesa-vulkan-drivers:i386

Add 10 second delay for “not responding” interlock (needed randomly in GNOME):

gsettings set org.gnome.mutter check-alive-timeout 10000

Remove unwanted shortcuts that WINE adds to Launcher:

rm -f ~/.config/menus/applications-merged/wine* && rm -rf ~/.local/share/applications/wine

Auto-start Steam (Flatpak) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Install Steam from Flatpak:

flatpak install flathub com.valvesoftware.Steam

RUN Steam once for it to update/login

flatpak run com.valvesoftware.Steam

INSIDE “Startup Applications” tool, NOT command line:

• Add with ‘Startup Apps’ App:

/usr/bin/flatpak run --branch=stable --arch=x86_64 --command=/app/bin/steam --file-forwarding com.valvesoftware.Steam @@u -silent %U @@

Protontricks: Add dll to Steam to get Bepinex to work:

• Install protonticks:

sudo apt install python3-pip python3-setuptools python3-venv pipx

• Close terminal, and then re-open and run:

pipx install protontricks

• to upgrade:

pipx upgrade protontricks

• Close terminal, and then re-open protontricks, which helps pick the game for you:

protontricks --gui

• pick game
• default prefix
• run winecfg
• go to libraries
• add “winhttp”, for example, to load custom dll
  • similar step for Lutris, just add to settings for game, add “native & builtin”

Another Flatpak Install: FFXIVLauncher ~~~~~~~~~~

Install from Flatpak:

flatpak install flathub dev.goats.xivlauncher

RUN once for it to update/login, then use App Launcher

flatpak run dev.goats.xivlauncher

• Make sure to select Full vs Trial version
  
• Disable AddOns if desired (not technically supported by SquareEnix)