Windows, Linux and macOS for online PC games compared

Will a game run on the computer you already own? The answer depends on the operating system first, and the hardware second.

Why a game supports some systems and not others

Every version of a game for a new operating system is a separate engineering effort. It has to be built, tested and maintained through every update, and online games are updated often. A developer weighs that effort against the number of likely players on each system. This is general industry reasoning rather than a documented rule, but it explains most of the patterns you see.

Technical factors add to the cost. Games talk to graphics hardware through graphics interfaces, and not every interface is available on every system. Online games also often use anti-cheat software, which works closely with the operating system and may need separate support on each. Finally, the hardware itself differs: current computers sold with macOS use the manufacturer's own processors and graphics, so a game written for typical Windows hardware may need significant work to run well on them.

The three systems compared

Windows

For most online PC games, Windows is the system the developer builds and tests on first. That usually makes it the lowest-effort choice for a player: install the game or its launcher, and it runs if your hardware meets the requirements. The main things to check are the version of Windows the vendor supports and whether your graphics hardware meets the minimum. Keeping Windows and your graphics drivers updated is part of normal maintenance, and the Australian Cyber Security Centre recommends keeping software updated as a general security habit.

Linux

Linux is a family of operating systems rather than one product, and gaming on it has two routes. Some games ship a native Linux client, built and tested by the developer. Many other Windows games can run through a compatibility layer, which translates the calls a Windows game makes into ones Linux understands. Results with compatibility layers range from flawless to unplayable, and online games with anti-cheat are the most likely to be affected, because the anti-cheat may refuse to run outside Windows.

The practical rule is simple: if a vendor lists Linux as supported, it has accepted responsibility for that version, and you can expect updates and support to cover it. If Linux is not listed, any success through a compatibility layer is unofficial and may stop working after an update.

macOS

Many online PC games do not offer a macOS version. Where a game is listed for Windows and Linux only, as the title profiled on this site is, a Mac user should treat it as unavailable. Workarounds exist, such as running another operating system on a Mac, but they are outside the vendor's support, may conflict with anti-cheat systems and may breach a game's terms. This site does not recommend them.

Desktop, laptop and mobile

A "desktop" listing usually means the game is for desktop operating systems, not specifically for tower computers: a laptop running a supported system may also qualify if its hardware meets the requirements. It does not include phones or tablets. A game listed for desktop only will not have an official version for Android or iOS, and mobile apps claiming to be one should be treated with caution.

Hardware, graphics drivers and updates

Operating-system support is only half of compatibility. The other half is hardware, and for games the most important part is usually graphics. A vendor's minimum requirements describe the oldest or weakest hardware on which the game is expected to start and be playable at low settings; recommended requirements describe a more comfortable experience. If your computer sits between the two, expect to lower graphics settings.

Graphics drivers, the software that lets the operating system use the graphics hardware, also matter. Games often expect a reasonably recent driver, and an outdated one can cause crashes or poor performance that look like a problem with the game. On Windows, drivers are usually updated through Windows Update or the graphics manufacturer's own tool. On Linux, drivers are typically managed through the distribution's package system, and the distribution's documentation is the best guide.

Online games are updated frequently, sometimes weekly, and a game will usually refuse to connect until it is current. Updates come through the game's own launcher or the store it was installed from. Allow updates from those official sources only; an "update" offered through a pop-up on an unrelated website is not a legitimate route.

Laptops deserve one extra check. Many have two graphics processors, a power-saving one and a more capable one, and a game may start on the weaker by default. The laptop manufacturer's documentation explains how to choose which is used.

Checks before you install anything

1. Find your operating system and version. On Windows, the Settings app shows it under System; on Linux, your distribution's settings or a system information tool will show it.
2. Read the vendor's supported systems. Use the vendor's own website or an established store page, not a third-party summary.
3. Compare hardware. Check your processor, memory and graphics against the minimum requirements, and expect a better experience at the recommended level.
4. Check storage and data. Online games and their updates can be large. If your internet plan has a data allowance, check the download size first.
5. Use the official installer. Download only from the vendor or an established store. Installers offered elsewhere may be modified, a risk Scamwatch and the ACSC both warn about in general terms.

What to watch out for

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