Arch Linux Gaming Configuration

Arch Linux Gaming Configuration Guide

Complete beginner-friendly guide to gaming on Arch Linux, including Steam, Wine/Proton, gaming performance optimizations, and game-specific configurations.

---

Table of Contents

1. Steam Installation
2. Wine and Proton Setup
3. Gaming Performance
4. Game Controllers
5. Gaming Applications
6. Troubleshooting

---

Steam Installation

Install Steam

Install Steam:

# Install Steam
sudo pacman -S steam steam-native-runtime

# For 32-bit support
sudo pacman -S lib32-mesa lib32-nvidia-utils

Steam Runtime

Choose runtime:

• steam: Uses Steam runtime
• steam-native-runtime: Uses system libraries

Launch Steam

Start Steam:

# Launch Steam
steam

# Or from application menu

---

Wine and Proton Setup

Install Wine

Install Wine:

# Install Wine
sudo pacman -S wine wine-mono wine-gecko

# For 32-bit
sudo pacman -S lib32-mesa lib32-vulkan-icd-loader

Configure Wine

Setup Wine:

# Initialize Wine prefix
winecfg

# Install dependencies
winetricks

Install Proton

Proton comes with Steam:

• Proton: Steam's Wine fork
• Proton-GE: Community version

Install Proton-GE:

# Download from GitHub
# Place in: ~/.steam/steam/compatibilitytools.d/

Lutris

Install Lutris:

# Install Lutris
sudo pacman -S lutris

# Install Wine dependencies
sudo pacman -S wine-staging

---

Gaming Performance

Graphics Drivers

Install drivers:

# NVIDIA
sudo pacman -S nvidia nvidia-utils lib32-nvidia-utils

# AMD
sudo pacman -S mesa lib32-mesa vulkan-radeon lib32-vulkan-radeon

Performance Tweaks

Kernel parameters:

# Edit GRUB
sudo vim /etc/default/grub

Add:

GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="... mitigations=off"

Regenerate:

sudo grub-mkconfig -o /boot/grub/grub.cfg

GameMode

Install GameMode:

# Install GameMode
sudo pacman -S gamemode lib32-gamemode

# Use in Steam launch options:
gamemoderun %command%

Feral GameMode

Alternative:

# Install from AUR
yay -S gamemode

---

Game Controllers

Xbox Controller

Xbox controller support:

# Install xpadneo (for newer controllers)
yay -S xpadneo-dkms

# Or use xpad
# Usually works automatically

PlayStation Controller

PS controller:

# Install ds4drv
sudo pacman -S ds4drv

# Or use Steam's built-in support

Generic Controllers

Generic gamepad:

# Install joystick tools
sudo pacman -S jstest-gtk

# Test controller
jstest /dev/input/js0

---

Gaming Applications

GOG Games

Install GOG:

# Use Lutris
sudo pacman -S lutris

# Or use Heroic Launcher
yay -S heroic-games-launcher-bin

Epic Games

Epic Games Store:

# Use Heroic Launcher
yay -S heroic-games-launcher-bin

# Or use Lutris

Emulators

Popular emulators:

# RetroArch
sudo pacman -S retroarch

# Dolphin (GameCube/Wii)
sudo pacman -S dolphin-emu

# PCSX2 (PlayStation 2)
yay -S pcsx2

# RPCS3 (PlayStation 3)
yay -S rpcs3-git

---

Troubleshooting

Games Won't Launch

Check logs:

# Steam logs
~/.steam/steam/logs/

# Wine logs
WINEDEBUG=+all wine game.exe

Performance Issues

Optimize:

# Use GameMode
gamemoderun game

# Set CPU governor
sudo cpupower frequency-set -g performance

# Check GPU
nvidia-smi  # NVIDIA
radeontop   # AMD

Controller Not Working

Fix controller:

# Check permissions
ls -l /dev/input/js*

# Add to group
sudo usermod -aG input username

---

Summary

This guide covered:

1. Steam - Game platform
2. Wine/Proton - Windows game support
3. Performance - Optimizations
4. Controllers - Gamepad setup
5. Applications - Gaming launchers
6. Troubleshooting - Common issues

Key Takeaways:

• Install proper graphics drivers
• Use Proton for Windows games
• GameMode improves performance
• Controllers usually work automatically
• Check logs for issues

---

Next Steps

• Arch Linux Graphics Drivers - GPU setup
• Arch Linux Performance Tuning - System optimization
• ArchWiki Gaming: https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Gaming

---

This guide is based on the ArchWiki. For the most up-to-date information, always refer to the official ArchWiki.