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Linux compatibility layer for Windows games From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Proton is a compatibility layer for Windows games to run on Linux-based operating systems.[1] Proton is developed by Valve in cooperation with developers from CodeWeavers.[2] It is a collection of software and libraries combined with a patched version of Wine to improve performance and compatibility with Windows games. Proton is designed for integration into the Steam client as "Steam Play".[3] It is officially distributed through the client, although third-party forks can be manually installed.
"Break Arcade Games Out" running on Arch Linux using Proton Experimental | |
| Developer(s) | Valve CodeWeavers |
|---|---|
| Initial release | 21 August 2018 |
| Stable release | 9.0-3
/ 19 September 2024 |
| Repository | Proton on GitHub |
| Operating system | Linux |
| Available in | English |
| Type | Compatibility layer |
| License |
|
Proton was initially released on 21 August 2018.[4] Upon release, Valve announced a list of 27 games that were tested and certified to perform like their native Windows counterparts without requiring end-user tweaking. These include Doom (2016), Quake, and Final Fantasy VI.[3][4][5]
Proton incorporates several libraries that improve 3D performance. These include Direct3D-to-Vulkan translation layers, namely DXVK for Direct3D 9, 10 and 11, and VKD3D-Proton for Direct3D 12. A separate library known as D9VK handled Direct3D 9 support until it was merged into DXVK in December 2019.[6]
Being a fork of Wine, Proton maintains very similar compatibility with Windows applications as its upstream counterpart. In addition to the official list of compatible games, many other Windows games are compatible,[7] albeit unofficially, with Proton. The user can optionally force use of Proton for a specific game, even if a Linux version already exists.[8] This may be done when a game's official Linux support is lacking or possibly not stable.
ProtonDB is an unofficial community website that collects and displays crowdsourced data describing the compatibility of a given title with Proton, on a rating scale from "Borked" (doesn't work) to "Platinum" (works perfectly).[9][10] The site is inspired by the WineHQ AppDB, which also collects and displays crowdsourced compatibility reports and uses a similar rating system.
Valve has released nine[11] major versions of Proton. The versioning scheme refers to the upstream Wine version it's based on, with an appended patch number.[1]
Proton generally lags behind its upstream Wine base by several releases. Unofficial forks, such as Proton GE,[12] have been created to rebase Proton on recent Wine versions, which may improve or worsen compatibility with games compared to the official release.[13]
In December 2020, Valve released Proton Experimental, a perpetual beta branch of Proton that incorporates new features and bug fixes quicker than regular releases,[14] which are eventually included in a regular release.[15]
The Steam Deck uses Proton to increase software title compatibility.[16]
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