Gamers Are Ditching Windows for Bazzite: Here’s Why
▼ Summary
– Bazzite is an independent Linux distribution designed for a console-like gaming experience, built on the same foundations as Valve’s SteamOS but without official backing.
– The project has seen a significant increase in new users, with weekly growth of about 1.25x over the last 30 days, following the end of life for Windows 10.
– While around 90% of Windows games can run on Linux via Proton, major titles with kernel-level anti-cheat, like Call of Duty and Valorant, remain incompatible.
– Linux gaming still faces limitations, including a lack of native support for professional software like Adobe Creative Cloud, despite viable alternatives existing.
– Bazzite currently serves around 50,000 weekly users and highlights Linux’s growing viability, though it holds only 3.20% of the Steam user market compared to Windows’ dominance.
A growing number of gamers are exploring alternatives to Windows, and one Linux distribution is capturing significant attention. Bazzite, a Linux distro built for gaming, offers a console-like experience directly from the Steam storefront. While it shares foundations with Valve’s SteamOS, it’s an independent project without official corporate backing. Recent user statistics suggest its popularity is rising, particularly following the end of support for Windows 10.
The project’s social media account recently shared that weekly user growth has increased by approximately 1.25 times over the past month. For a niche operating system, this represents a notable surge. The timing aligns with a major shift in the PC landscape, as users consider their options beyond Microsoft’s aging platform. While these numbers are not yet a threat to Windows’ dominance, they indicate a meaningful trend within the gaming community.
Linux gaming has become genuinely viable, with around 90% of Windows games now playable through compatibility layers like Proton. However, significant barriers remain. Popular competitive titles such as Call of Duty, Apex Legends, and Valorant are often blocked due to kernel-level anti-cheat software that does not support Linux. Beyond gaming, the ecosystem still lacks native versions of major professional software suites, including Adobe Creative Cloud and Microsoft Office, though capable alternatives exist.
Despite these limitations, Bazzite is reportedly attracting about 50,000 weekly users, a figure that continues to climb. The project has also distributed a staggering 2 petabytes of installation files. To put the broader market into perspective, Linux currently accounts for just over 3% of the hardware surveyed by Steam, compared to Windows’ overwhelming 95% share. Yet, reaching even this level was once considered a distant milestone, highlighting the steady progress of gaming on open-source platforms.
The user experience difference is becoming increasingly pronounced, especially for those seeking a streamlined, console-like environment. For handheld gaming PCs like the Asus ROG Ally, switching to a Linux-based OS can sometimes yield better gaming performance and a more integrated, console-like feel compared to Windows. This progress underscores how far Linux gaming has evolved, potentially applying pressure on larger companies to innovate more rapidly.
The momentum behind projects like Bazzite raises an interesting question for the industry. Will this encourage faster development from established players, or will the niche appeal of a dedicated gaming OS remain its primary advantage? For now, a dedicated segment of users is voting with their installations, seeking a focused alternative for their gaming rigs.
(Source: Windows Central)
