Proton (software)
Linux compatibility layer for Windows games
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Proton is a compatibility layer that allows Windows software (primarily video games) to run on Linux-based operating systems.[2] Proton is developed by Valve in cooperation with developers from CodeWeavers.[3] 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".[4] It is officially distributed through the client, although third-party forks can be manually installed.
| Proton | |
|---|---|
Break Arcade Games Out running on Arch Linux using Proton Experimental | |
| Developers | Valve CodeWeavers |
| Initial release | 21 August 2018 |
| Stable release | |
| Operating system | Linux |
| Available in | English |
| Type | Compatibility layer |
| License |
|
| Repository | Proton on GitHub |
Overview
Proton was initially released on 21 August 2018.[5] 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.[4][5][6][self-published source]
Proton incorporates several libraries that improve 3D performance. These include Direct3D-to-Vulkan translation layers, namely DXVK for Direct3D 8, 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.[7]
Compatibility
Proton generally has better compatibility than upstream Wine due to additional patches and components, such as esync, fshack, and VKD3D-Proton, that Wine has not accepted.[8][9] Many Windows games beyond the official compatibility list work with Proton, albeit unofficially.[10] The user can optionally force use of Proton for a specific game, even if a Linux version already exists. This may be done when a game's native Linux support is lacking or unstable.
ProtonDB
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).[11][10] The site is inspired by the WineHQ AppDB, which also collects and displays crowdsourced compatibility reports and uses a similar rating system.
