So I finally bit the bullet, installed a second SSD and put Linux on it to test the waters. Tested out GW2 as a non steam game via Wine and while it runs, it runs very poorly with constant frame drops. Did anyone else try? How was your experience?
I have Nvidia GPU which I gather might be the most likely culprit but was interested in what your experience might’ve been.
I‘ve played GW2 a lot and pretty much exclusively on Linux for a few years now and it‘s been pretty smooth.
For the best experience, make sure your graphics driver is up to date (as of now it should start with 550, 555 or 560).
I‘d also recommend installing the game via Steam, as this makes the whole compatibility stuff far easier. The Steam version also works if you want to log in with an Arenanet-account. Just add this launch option (note the capitalization; it has to be exact) and you‘ll be able to log in with your existing account:
-provider Portal
Just make sure not to buy anything via Steam as purchases won‘t be associated with the correct account.
You‘ll also want to make sure (although it‘s probably set as default by now) to use Proton 9.0 or above, as the game‘s launcher is really stuttery in previous versions.
Been running it via Steam for a couple of years now, feels like native, runs smooth, and is stable. So I would recommend that you install it from Steam store then use the “-provider Portal” launch option to make it show the gw2 launcher and sign in normally.
@illi Yep, I had it running under Ubuntu and now use it in EndeavourOS, both on SSD and with an Nvidia RTX GPU.
I have the ArenaNet (most game hours) and Steam versions. I installed it in Steam, which handles all the hard work, and added “-provider Portal” to the game’s startup options in Steam which makes it use your ArenaNet account. (This is what RiQuY meant in their reply to your Lemmy post).
This provides useful howto and gotcha info:
https://en-forum.guildwars2.com/topic/120919-yes-you-can-link-your-anet-account-to-steam-and-its-really-easy/
@illi Hopefully by installing it in Steam it will smooth out how it runs for you. Good luck!
FWIW, I have the game, ArcDPS, GW2 Radial and Jokolay running nicely together, and have Firefox, Discord, Obsidian and Spotify all running at the same time.
The Steam version works, at least on my system (I have AMD). If your account is from the launcher you need to add a parameter in the steam game properties to open the login menu.
Playing games just using WINE can be difficult since there will usually be configuration missing. If possible, use something like Lutris.net or Heroic Launcher if the game isn’t available on Steam.
Installing older games like that might work, but these other launchers do a lot on the background for you.
