Feature request: Add ability to run Windows games in WINE for games without a Linux version

Although this would be a feature for more advanced users, it might be an interesting idea to allow running the Windows versions of games in WINE through the Linux client if a native version is not available and the game in question does not explicitly require a Windows license (i.e. it doesn't use XNA or some similar technology).

Although some games are ported to Linux, many are not, and having the option to run games through this method even in an unsupported fashion would be quite an interesting and useful feature to have. Definitely not expecting it any time soon, but it may be something to consider down the line, if it's even possible.

[MrSchism]

This is largely the responsibility of the end-user and not Valve/Steam. If you can run the game from a shortcut (not sure if Wine permits this), you can add it as a non-Steam game as per normal protocol.

However, it's been discussed ad nauseum and the verdict is pretty clear: Wine is not the solution that Valve is looking for with their Linux client. Native gaming is the direction.

[AshTR]

While I disagree that Windows games should be automatically run in WINE, I do believe that we should be able to download Windows versions of games if we so choose. It isn't like many older games that are Windows 98 or XP-esque that have roughly no support from developers anymore will see Linux versions, so it would be nice to have the option to throw them into WINE if desired.

[kramerc]

Adding to @AshTR's point, it's unlikely Valve is going to port the older HL1 series games to Linux. There's always those moments for nostalgia.

[MrSchism]

We do have the ability to download Windows versions of games... in the Windows version of Steam that we use Wine to make run.

[AshTR]

...And doesn't that log you out of Steam on Linux since Steam doesn't support multiple logins? That's hardly a great solution.

Not to mention having an entire dual-installation for Steam itself.

[MrSchism]

The point of the native client is for native games.

Again, if you were able to launch games from a singular point (like by clicking an icon) you could add it to your "non-Steam" games on Steam.

Whatever bugs you find there are end-user/Wine bugs.

[frantisekz]

Great idea. There should be option to download Windows games and advice to install wine. If it'll be connected to appdb.winehq.org, why not?

[zubozrout]

Well, I don't think wine is a good way. You are right several (most) titles won't see Linux release but Valve is doing a great job expanding Linux native gaming. I personally prefer native over to run-in-wine even if wine can handle it very well. If you want to play windows-only games on Linux, use Windows client. I really don't think Valve will support this since wine is not a stable platform and they wouldn't be able to provide support for it.

Though, maybe some "debug" option can be added so Steam wouldn't be blocking installations of non-native games and if wine is installed on your system, it would try launching the game through it.

[LarryRotgut]

Please don't add any WINE shenanigans to Steam. People who want to play Windows only games can run Windows version of Steam using WINE.

[RussianNeuroMancer]

-1 for system WINE support in Linux client

Purpose of native Steam for some platform is run releases that targeting this platform. If for example CodeWeawers bring Limbo to Linux via WINE and provide official support - this is one story (and there is opportunity for collaboration between Valve and WINE developers) but allow to run any other games via WINE is may make developers lazy, and answer "use WINE" if game somehow run with default WINE instead of doing proper port. Let me show you how things is going on in such cases even without WINE support in Steam:
https://twitter.com/ID_AA_Carmack/status/123578885924331520
https://twitter.com/ID_AA_Carmack/status/195249588557451264
If Steam Linux client will support using system WINE for games, situation will be even worse - this is really what you want? I doubt.

[Dragonsbrethren]

While native versions are obviously preferable, I wouldn't mind seeing WINE integration for older titles that will never be ported over anyway. It's no different than the games on Steam now that use DOSBox (Speaking of which, every one of these should have a Linux and Mac OS version available already. Lazy publishers). I'm not a huge fan of WINE, but if a game runs well enough in it, why not offer it as a convenience option? It's better than having to have the Windows client installed in WINE, which requires having to log out of native and log into that every time I want to play my games.

[ananace]

I would love the ability to be able to at the very least download my windows games even if I'm running Steam in Linux. Perhaps by setting a debug value or something if you only want advanced users to be able to do this, but some way of doing it would be helpful.

[RunningDroid]

This could be useful, but it shouldn't(and likely won't) happen anytime soon, if Wine is added now the Wine bugs would likely end up being reported for Steam. If it were to be added later and only for games that are known to work well in Wine, then everyone would be happy, more people would start working on Wine so Steam would add Wine support for their favorite game, and there (probably) wouldn't be Wine bugs in the Steam bug tracker.

[regeya]

I'll request it. I have a Linux-powered media machine hooked up to my PC, I have several Windows games purchased through Steam that run well under WINE, and would love to be able to launch and update them under Linux Steam. I'd really love to put Steam on my Mythbuntu machine, run it in Big Picture mode, and launch, say, Mass Effect from there and play Mass Effect on my TV.