Linux gamers are familiar with Proton, the go-to solution for running Windows games on Linux, but there’s another, similar tool in the shed. It’s called Proton GE, and while it performs the same function, it differs from Valve’s Proton. Let’s find out how they differ and which one you should use.
Proton Is a Compatibility Layer for Windows Games on Linux
Now, while Linux and Windows can run on the same hardware, they’re wildly different beasts software-wise. For instance, you can use both Linux and Windows on the exact same machine made of precisely the same components. However, try running a game designed for Windows on the same PC that runs Linux, and you’re going to have a bad time. This is where Proton comes to the rescue.
Itself a free and open-source fork of Wine, which is a compatibility layer that allows running Windows software in general on Unix-like operating systems (such as Linux and macOS), Proton focuses on games and includes a patched Wine core but also extra components such as DXVK—a translation layer that transforms DirectX calls to Vulkan—along with various others. Together, the different components that are part of Proton work together to allow Windows games to run on Linux.
Proton works as a map and translator for Windows games, allowing them to run on Linux. For instance, when you run a Windows game that supports both DirectX and Vulkan, it functions as a map that shows the game how to access the Vulkan API (Application Programming Interface) and how to reach and access different components, such as the CPU or memory.
But many games don’t support Vulkan. When you play such a game on your Linux machine, Proton plays the role of a translator, translating DirectX API calls to Vulkan API calls. In many cases, Proton acts as both a map and a translator, showing the game how and where to access Vulkan API and hardware components, while also translating various Windows-specific system calls to Linux-specific ones and vice versa.
It’s worth noting that there’s no emulation here because the games are made for the same, usually x86-based, hardware. However, the amount of software-based translation included varies depending on the specific title.
Proton GE is an Unofficial Fork of Proton
Proton GE is an unofficial fork of Proton that isn’t in any way affiliated with the official version of Proton developed by Valve. The GE version of Proton is created and maintained by a solo developer, Glorious Eggroll (hence the name).
Unlike Valve’s Proton, Proton GE is based on a newer, bleeding-edge experimental version of Wine. The latest stable version of Valve’s Proton, on the other hand, is always behind the latest version of Proton GE regarding the Wine version it’s based on, which makes it more stable but can also result in worse performance and incompatibilities with certain games compared to using Proton GE.
Proton GE also comes with extra components built in. Stuff such as media playback fixes, AMD FSR patches, and a “protonfixes” system that applies fixes on a per-game basis, allowing certain games to work with Proton GE even though they don’t work with Valve’s Proton.
In general, Proton GE can allow you to enjoy a game that doesn’t work with Valve’s Proton or offer better performance compared to Valve’s Proton. On the flip side, using Proton GE can lead to instability or introduce bugs and glitches that won’t occur when using Valve’s Proton.
Proton Is Usually the Way to Go, but Sometimes Proton GE Is Better
So, is it better to use regular Proton or Proton GE? Based on my experience as a long-term Steam Deck user, regular Proton is the better option in most cases.
It’s included with Steam, and you can easily swap out different versions manually by opening a game’s “Properties” menu in Steam, visiting the “Compatibility” tab, and finally ticking the “Force the use of a specific Steam Play compatibility tool” checkbox.
This allows you to experiment with various stable versions or use the latest experimental version of Proton, which is based on a more recent version of Wine compared to the latest stable version of Proton.
Running Proton Experimental can make a game that’s just come out work on your Linux PC, even though it doesn’t work when combined with the latest stable version of Proton.
This isn’t to say that Proton GE can’t be handy in certain situations. For example, I couldn’t make Batman: Arkham Asylum work on my Steam Deck no matter which version of Proton I used. The game would immediately crash even with the latest experimental version of Proton. But then I found out about Proton GE. And what do you know? Downloading and applying it made the game run flawlessly, from start to finish.
Similarly, Dragon Age: The Veilguard ran very poorly on Steam Deck back when it came out, at least via Valve’s Proton. But when I switched to the latest version Proton GE, I got a noticeable performance bump that made the game run at a stable 30 FPS with dips to the high 20s only during cutscenes.
Another situation where Proton GE is recommended over the regular Proton is if you encounter issues with in-game video playback. If you encounter colored bars in place of in-game videos, installing and applying the latest version of Proton GE usually solves the problem because Proton GE includes various media playback-related patches that aren’t found in Valve’s Proton.
If you aren’t sure whether to try out an experimental version of regular Proton or Proton GE, go to ProtonDB.com, search for the game you’re having issues with, and see what the community recommends in the user reports section.
How to Get Proton GE on a Steam Deck
If you own a Steam Deck, you can download and install Proton GE relatively painlessly. First, switch to Desktop mode. Once there, open the Discovery store, search for “ProtonUp-Qt,” and then download and install the app.
All Linux users can download the app as a Flatpak from the ProtonUp-Qt Flathub page.
Next, open the app, and you’ll be presented with a list of different Proton GE versions. It’s usually best to install the latest one unless you have found a solution that recommends using a specific version of Proton GE.
Now you can switch back to Game mode, open the game you want to use Proton GE with, and open its options tab.
Once inside the options tab, click and open the “Properties” menu.
Next, click the “Compatibility” tab, and tick the “Force the use of a specific Steam Play compatibility tool” checkbox. Then simply select Proton GE instead of Proton and you’re golden.
As you can see, Proton and Proton GE are very similar. They’re both based on Wine and serve the same purpose. Proton GE is an unofficial fork of Proton, packing additional goodies that can make certain games work even though they don’t work with regular Proton, as well as help with in-game video playback issues. In most cases, I recommend using a stable or experimental version of Proton. However, if neither helps with a game you’re trying to play, Proton GE is the next best option.