This is why I settled with a PS4 last year. Even on a Linux PC, I would feel "dirty" with games and steam installed, and I can't afford a PC exclusively for gaming. A PS4 costs 300€ and runs Skyrim, so I am quite happy. I am also speculating that the PS4 will become completely owned by the community and ultimately runs Linux without anything missing.

At one point I built a "Steam Box" that ran Windows (because, at the time anyway, lots of things didn't run on Linux), and hooked it up to the TV. The only problem I ran into was that lots of games don't do controllers well, either.

I have the same setup and controllers aren't really issue on modern games anymore - they're all released for consoles as well so they usually feature good controller support.

I did the same thing. It ended up being used mostly for watching streaming services instead of gaming for social reasons (the TV is in a shared area). I ended up buying an even bigger more powerful gaming PC with dedicated gaming keyboard and mouse and no controller. Linux for work, Windows for streaming TV, Windows for gaming.

I have installed Windows in a dual boot configuration with Linux. I now have a better time separating work and play, win-win!