Uploaded May 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
What is Proton and how is it different from GE-Proton? And what about Luxtorpeda? How do they work and how do you use them? You’ve probably heard of Steam Play. It’s how Valve makes Windows games playable on Linux/Steam OS. But if you’ve ever taken a deeper look into it, you might have seen mentions of "Proton 9.0-4e," "Proton Experimental," or even "GE-Proton."
Become a subscriber to The Bryant Blog and get early access to content just like this!
Read this video as an article: blog.gardinerbryant.com/the-definitive-guide-to-steam-play-tools
*My Game*
❯ Get the source code: github.com/heavyelementinc/dudelings-foss
❯ Dudelings on Humble: humblebundleinc.sjv.io/9LWQeW
❯ Dudelings: Arcade Sportsball: store.steampowered.com/bundle/41202/Dudelings_Arcade_Sportsball_Deluxe_Edition/?utm_source=yt-every-video
❯ Dudelings on Google Play: play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=io.heavyelement.dudelings&pcampaignid=yt-every-video
❯ Dudelings on Itch.io: heavy-element.itch.io/dudelings
*Links & Resources*
❯ Read the companion article: blog.gardinerbryant.com/the-definitive-guide-to-steam-play-tools/?ref=gardiner-bryant-yt
❯ Proton in Valve's own words: github.com/ValveSoftware/Proton/wiki/Proton-Versions?ref=gardiner-bryant-yt
❯ GE-Proton: github.com/GloriousEggroll/proton-ge-custom?ref=gardiner-bryant-yt
❯ ProtonUp-QT: flathub.org/apps/net.davidotek.pupgui2?ref=gardiner-bryant-yt
❯ ProtonDB: protondb.com/?ref=gardiner-bryant-yt
❯ SteamTinkerLaunch: github.com/sonic2kk/steamtinkerlaunch?ref=gardiner-bryant-yt
❯ Luxtorpeda: github.com/luxtorpeda-dev/luxtorpeda?ref=gardiner-bryant-yt
❯ Games supported by Luxtorpeda: luxtorpeda-dev.github.io/packages?ref=gardiner-bryant-yt
❯ OpenJK: github.com/JACoders/OpenJK?ref=gardiner-bryant-yt
❯ OpenRCT2: openrct2.io/?ref=gardiner-bryant-yt
*Affiliate links*
Services I Recommend:
❯ Proton Drive: go.getproton.me/aff_c?offer_id=43&aff_id=10074
❯ Proton Pass: go.getproton.me/aff_c?offer_id=38&aff_id=10074
❯ Proton VPN: go.getproton.me/aff_c?offer_id=26&aff_id=10074
❯ Proton Mail: go.getproton.me/aff_c?offer_id=7&aff_id=10074
Best Steam Deck Accessories:
❯ SanDisk 1 TB card: amzn.to/3z8mMfH
❯ Steam Deck Dock: amzn.to/3PDjgkt
❯ Steam Deck accessories: amzn.to/4c2XKkM
❯ DualSense: amzn.to/3WR1u1R
❯ Gulikit KK3 Max controller amzn.to/4dqRaoC
❯ DualSense Edge: amzn.to/4cuzIyd
❯ 8Bitdo Pro 2: amzn.to/46R7hcz
❯ Amazon Suggested Products: amzn.to/4fAha2h
*Elsewhere on the Web*
❯ ✍🏻 My Blog: blog.gardinerbryant.com
❯ 🎙️ My podcast: podcast.subscribeto.me
❯ 👕 Merchandise: shop.heavyelement.com
❯ ✉️ Email Newsletter: heavyelement.com/newsletter
❯ 🐘 Mastodon: https://mastodon.online/@gardiner_bryant
❯ ▶️ Peertube: subscribeto.me
❯ 💬 Revolt: rvlt.gg/gk6w4G3P
❯ 🌐 Heavy Element: heavyelement.com
00:00 Introduction
01:00 Why do we need Compatibility Layers?
03:39 What about performance?
05:09 WINE - WINE Is Not an Emulator
07:03 Proton Explained
07:59 What is Proton Experimental?
09:35 GE-Proton and other community builds
10:19 How do you use these tools?
11:12 How to determine which Proton version to use
12:52 What else can Steam Play do?
*Support the Show*
❯ Patreon: patreon.com/thelinuxgamer
❯ Merch: gardinerbryant.com
❯ Humble: humblebundleinc.sjv.io/4GmJdL
❯ Become a Channel Member: youtube.com/channel/UCv1Kcz-CuGM6mxzL3B1_Eiw/join
❯ Amazon affiliate: amzn.to/3iYb4gd
About Gardiner Bryant: A native Maine resident, Gardiner (yes, that's his first name) is an enthusiastic Linux evangelist, a believer in the efficacy and superiority of the Free and Open Source way, and President of Heavy Element. Heavy Element offers web design, media production, and YouTube consulting services to individuals and companies in Maine and beyond.
heavyelement.com
Gardiner Bryant is a privacy advocate and public speaker on the topic. Learn more about his speaking series and schedule an engagement at your institution at gardinerbryant.com
#steamos #steamplay
What is Proton and how is it different from GE-Proton? And what about Luxtorpeda? How do they work and how do you use them? You’ve probably heard of Steam Play. It’s how Valve makes Windows games playable on Linux/Steam OS. But if you’ve ever taken a deeper look into it, you might have seen mentions of "Proton 9.0-4e," "Proton Experimental," or even "GE-Proton."
Become a subscriber to The Bryant Blog and get early access to content just like this!
Read this video as an article: blog.gardinerbryant.com/the-definitive-guide-to-steam-play-tools
*My Game*
❯ Get the source code: github.com/heavyelementinc/dudelings-foss
❯ Dudelings on Humble: humblebundleinc.sjv.io/9LWQeW
❯ Dudelings: Arcade Sportsball: store.steampowered.com/bundle/41202/Dudelings_Arcade_Sportsball_Deluxe_Edition/?utm_source=yt-every-video
❯ Dudelings on Google Play: play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=io.heavyelement.dudelings&pcampaignid=yt-every-video
❯ Dudelings on Itch.io: heavy-element.itch.io/dudelings
*Links & Resources*
❯ Read the companion article: blog.gardinerbryant.com/the-definitive-guide-to-steam-play-tools/?ref=gardiner-bryant-yt
❯ Proton in Valve's own words: github.com/ValveSoftware/Proton/wiki/Proton-Versions?ref=gardiner-bryant-yt
❯ GE-Proton: github.com/GloriousEggroll/proton-ge-custom?ref=gardiner-bryant-yt
❯ ProtonUp-QT: flathub.org/apps/net.davidotek.pupgui2?ref=gardiner-bryant-yt
❯ ProtonDB: protondb.com/?ref=gardiner-bryant-yt
❯ SteamTinkerLaunch: github.com/sonic2kk/steamtinkerlaunch?ref=gardiner-bryant-yt
❯ Luxtorpeda: github.com/luxtorpeda-dev/luxtorpeda?ref=gardiner-bryant-yt
❯ Games supported by Luxtorpeda: luxtorpeda-dev.github.io/packages?ref=gardiner-bryant-yt
❯ OpenJK: github.com/JACoders/OpenJK?ref=gardiner-bryant-yt
❯ OpenRCT2: openrct2.io/?ref=gardiner-bryant-yt
*Affiliate links*
Services I Recommend:
❯ Proton Drive: go.getproton.me/aff_c?offer_id=43&aff_id=10074
❯ Proton Pass: go.getproton.me/aff_c?offer_id=38&aff_id=10074
❯ Proton VPN: go.getproton.me/aff_c?offer_id=26&aff_id=10074
❯ Proton Mail: go.getproton.me/aff_c?offer_id=7&aff_id=10074
Best Steam Deck Accessories:
❯ SanDisk 1 TB card: amzn.to/3z8mMfH
❯ Steam Deck Dock: amzn.to/3PDjgkt
❯ Steam Deck accessories: amzn.to/4c2XKkM
❯ DualSense: amzn.to/3WR1u1R
❯ Gulikit KK3 Max controller amzn.to/4dqRaoC
❯ DualSense Edge: amzn.to/4cuzIyd
❯ 8Bitdo Pro 2: amzn.to/46R7hcz
❯ Amazon Suggested Products: amzn.to/4fAha2h
*Elsewhere on the Web*
❯ ✍🏻 My Blog: blog.gardinerbryant.com
❯ 🎙️ My podcast: podcast.subscribeto.me
❯ 👕 Merchandise: shop.heavyelement.com
❯ ✉️ Email Newsletter: heavyelement.com/newsletter
❯ 🐘 Mastodon: https://mastodon.online/@gardiner_bryant
❯ ▶️ Peertube: subscribeto.me
❯ 💬 Revolt: rvlt.gg/gk6w4G3P
❯ 🌐 Heavy Element: heavyelement.com
00:00 Introduction
01:00 Why do we need Compatibility Layers?
03:39 What about performance?
05:09 WINE - WINE Is Not an Emulator
07:03 Proton Explained
07:59 What is Proton Experimental?
09:35 GE-Proton and other community builds
10:19 How do you use these tools?
11:12 How to determine which Proton version to use
12:52 What else can Steam Play do?
*Support the Show*
❯ Patreon: patreon.com/thelinuxgamer
❯ Merch: gardinerbryant.com
❯ Humble: humblebundleinc.sjv.io/4GmJdL
❯ Become a Channel Member: youtube.com/channel/UCv1Kcz-CuGM6mxzL3B1_Eiw/join
❯ Amazon affiliate: amzn.to/3iYb4gd
About Gardiner Bryant: A native Maine resident, Gardiner (yes, that's his first name) is an enthusiastic Linux evangelist, a believer in the efficacy and superiority of the Free and Open Source way, and President of Heavy Element. Heavy Element offers web design, media production, and YouTube consulting services to individuals and companies in Maine and beyond.
heavyelement.com
Gardiner Bryant is a privacy advocate and public speaker on the topic. Learn more about his speaking series and schedule an engagement at your institution at gardinerbryant.com
#steamos #steamplay
