Steam, the digital distribution platform developed by Valve, offers robust support for Linux. This comes as no surprise considering Valve’s concerted efforts to make Linux an optimal operating system for its platform. This guide aims to provide you with a comprehensive tutorial on installing and running Steam on various Linux distributions, specifically Debian, Fedora, and Arch Linux.

Table of Contents

  1. Why Linux is Important for Steam
  2. General Installation Guidelines
  3. Installing on Debian Distros
  4. Installing on Fedora Distros
  5. Installing on Arch Linux
  6. Running Games on Linux

Why Linux is Important for Steam

Valve has consistently prioritized Linux as a viable platform for running Steam. This emphasis is evident as Linux serves as the default operating system for the Steam Deck. Moreover, the platform has advanced its support for non-native games through the Proton compatibility layer. Despite this, the method to install Steam on Linux may vary depending on the distribution in use.

General Installation Guidelines

Before diving into specific installation procedures, it is crucial to understand that Steam can be installed in multiple ways. Valve offers its installation software, and repositories also provide means for installation. It’s worth noting that some app stores like Snap and Flathub offer Steam installations, but at the time of writing, these installations have been plagued by glitches. As such, this guide will focus on more reliable installation methods.

Installing on Debian Distros

For Debian-based distributions such as Ubuntu, Mint, and Pop!_OS, the following steps outline the installation procedure:

  1. Navigate to the official Steam website and click on the green “Install Steam” button located at the top of the page.
  2. On the ensuing page, click the blue “Install Steam” button to download a file named steam_latest.deb.
  3. Execute the steam_latest.deb file and choose “Software Install.”
  4. The Ubuntu Software app will automatically open and display the page for the steam-launcher. Click “Install.”
  5. After installation, click “Show Apps” at the bottom-left corner of the taskbar and open Steam.
  6. Should the installer request additional required files, follow the on-screen prompts and proceed with the installation.

Installing on Fedora Distros

For Fedora and its derivatives that use DNF as the package manager, the installation procedure is as follows:

  1. Open the Activities menu and click “Show Apps” on the taskbar.
  2. Locate the Terminal app and open it.
  3. Enter the following command:rubyCopy codesudo dnf install https://mirrors.rpmfusion.org/nonfree/fedora/rpmfusion-nonfree-release-$(rpm -E %fedora).noarch.rpm
  4. Press Enter and approve permissions as requested.
  5. After completing the above steps, input the following command:Copy codesudo dnf install steam
  6. Approve permissions as needed, and upon completion, you’ll find Steam in your applications list.

Installing on Arch Linux

For Arch Linux and its derivatives, follow the instructions below:

  1. Open the terminal and enter the command: sudo nano /etc/pacman.conf
  2. Edit the pacman.conf file to uncomment the following lines by removing the three # characters:javascriptCopy code[multilib] SigLevel = PackageRequired Include = /etc/pacman.d/mirrorlist
  3. Save the file and close the editor.
  4. Run the following command: sudo pacman -Syu
  5. Finally, enter the command: sudo pacman -S steam

Running Games on Linux

Once you have installed Steam, running games on Linux becomes straightforward. Numerous games already have Linux ports available on the Steam storefront under the Steam OS + Linux category. Additionally, the Proton compatibility layer enables users to run Windows games without requiring a separate download.

In summary, while Valve and other Linux distributions work to resolve existing glitches with Steam installations from app stores, the traditional methods remain effective. These methods may require a bit more effort but ensure a smoother experience and automatic updates in the long run.

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