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 |
| 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.
Release history
Valve has released ten major versions of Proton.[12] The versioning scheme refers to the upstream Wine version it is based on, with an appended patch number.[2] Proton generally lags behind its upstream Wine base by several releases. Unofficial forks, such as Proton GE,[13] have been created to rebase Proton on recent Wine versions, which may improve or worsen compatibility with games compared to the official release.[14] In December 2020, Valve released Proton Experimental, a perpetual beta branch of Proton that incorporates new features and bug fixes quicker than regular releases,[15] which are eventually included in a regular release.[16]
The Steam Deck uses Proton to increase software title compatibility.[17]
Major Software Versions
| Version | Release date | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 3.7 | August 2018 | First official release. Integrated DXVK for Direct3D 10/11 via Vulkan. 27 supported games |
| 4.2 | April 2019 | Updated to a newer version of Wine. Features enhanced support for fullscreen mode and controllers |
| 5.0 | February 2020 | Based on Wine 5.0. Added support for some games with anti-cheat systems. |
| 5.13 | October 2020 | Added enhanced media playback and networking features |
| 6.3 | April 2021 | Based on Wine 6.0. Improved Direct3D 12 support via VKD3D-Proton |
| 7.0 | February 2022 | Based on Wine 7.0 |
| 8.0 | April 2023 | |
| 9.0 | May 2024 | improved support for newer games and technologies |
| 10.0 | November 2025 | updated DXVK, VKD3D, and Wine. Unlike Wine 10, it does not provide a method to access the native Wayland driver. |
| 11.0 | July 2026 | |
