>> for first-class linux ports?

I don't want ports. I want proper linux clients developed alongside the other clients, which is relatively easy under tools like unity. Every developer gives lip service to "maybe linux later" but they never do it. If they aren't doing cross-platform development from day one there is next to zero chance of them doing it later in the dev cycle when such things are far more expensive.

What would really light a fire under developers would be for people to run away from windows for other reasons. A few more privacy fiascos. Yet another attempt at "versionless" windows. Another Vista. Only when users actually dump windows for other reasons will major game developers truly care about linux.

It's been 30 years. This was nothing but a pipedream before Proton came along. It's probably still a pipedream, but at least we'll be able to play more games on Linux now. Don't let perfect get in the way of good.

There's never going to be a mass exodus to Linux. People have been promising the year of the Linux desktop for as long as Linux has been a thing. It's time to find a way to coexist, and Proton is so far one of the best solutions for gaming.

It was more than a pipe dream. The mobile game revolution happened long before proton. Windows penetration in mobile gaming is <1%. Now we have some interesting Mac chips that will require cross-platform development too. And many of the best linux games (KSP) were popular before proton. WINE/Proton is a force, but is not the only player in the cross-platform gaming space.

Relatively easy to build perhaps, but you still need to have a QA team for it, support it after release etc...

That's also assuming they're using an off the shelf engine that is also bug free on those platforms. Both unreal and unity aren't at the same level on Linux as their windows counterparts, and Lord knows I've tried . There's always one more thing that doesn't work and requires workarounds.

I don't think anyone wants ports. I use linux as my home machine now and the desktop application delivery on linux is pretty fractured (flatpak or snaps or debs..). You kinda wish in the small desktop linux market there would be one distribution method to rule them all.

we can't even get MS office or Adobe to port to linux. Open Source coders have done well to get us somewhat working alternatives. (LibreOffice, Krita and Blender come to mind)

I've had good luck with Proton. It makes me not have to use a second machine for games.

I think people are vastly underestimating how much gaming sucks even on Windows. Nier: Automata still hasn't received a single PC patch to my knowledge. Many of the games on Windows are ports as well, such as Nier.

The PC has largely taken a backseat to consoles. It's a bit much asking for Linux native, let alone, Linux ports.

Since you mentioned Nier: Automata, I'll just add that I've been playing it with proton for the past 2 weeks. I'm at ~20 hours of playtime and it's been flawless so far (without resorting to any 3rd party patch like FAR).

steam has it as mostly positive, so I'm not surprised. But who knows how many are using the fan patch and how many are not. But many many of these reviews are complaining about the port and it all seems YMMV.

I'm just using this as an example. If Windows isn't getting a port or getting shit ports, Linux is not getting native. Sorry to burst anyone's bubble here.