How to Set Up Steam on Arch Linux
Are you a gamer who just switched to Arch Linux and wondering how to install your favorite gaming platform, Steam? This guide has got you covered with a step-by-step tutorial on how to set up Steam on Arch Linux.
1.
Enabling the Multilib Repository
The multilib repository contains 32-bit libraries required for 64-bit applications like Steam.
Before proceeding with the installation, you need to enable the multilib repository in the Pacman configuration file. Follow these steps to enable the multilib repository:
Step 1: Open the Pacman configuration file:
sudo nano /etc/pacman.conf
Step 2: Uncomment the following lines in the file:
[multilib]
Include = /etc/pacman.d/mirrorlist
Step 3: Save and exit the file.
2.
System Upgrade
Before installing Steam, it is recommended to update your entire system using the Pacman utility.
This ensures that your system has the latest software updates and dependencies required for the Steam installation. Follow these steps to upgrade your system:
Step 1: Use the Pacman utility to fully upgrade your system:
sudo pacman -Syu
Step 2: Enter your password and press Enter to proceed with the upgrade. Step 3: Wait for the system upgrade to complete.
3.
Installing Steam
After enabling the multilib repository and upgrading the system, you can now proceed to install Steam.
Use the Pacman utility to install the Steam package and its dependencies. Follow these steps to install Steam:
Step 1: Use the Pacman utility to install the Steam package and its dependencies:
sudo pacman -S steam
Step 2: Press Enter to confirm the installation. Step 3: Wait for the installation to complete.
4.
Launching Steam and Creating an Account
Once the installation is complete, you can launch Steam from the Applications menu or by typing steam in the terminal.
The first time you launch Steam, you will be prompted to create a new account or sign in with an existing one. Follow these steps to create an account:
Step 1: Click on “Create new account.”
Step 2: Provide your email, password, and username.
Step 3: Agree to the terms and conditions and click “Create account.”
Step 4: Check your email for the verification code and enter it when prompted. 5.
Setting Up Proton for Windows Games
Steam’s Proton compatibility layer allows you to play Windows games on Linux. However, you may need to install additional dependencies to run some games, and conflicts may arise between Proton and other software.
Follow these steps to set up Proton:
Step 1: Install Yay utility and AUR if you haven’t already:
sudo pacman -S yay
yay -S –needed base-devel git
Step 2: Install Proton dependencies:
yay -S proton-native-build-essentials
Step 3: Install Proton:
yay -S proton
Step 4: Follow the instructions provided by the game developer to set up Proton for specific games.
Benefits of Using Steam on Arch Linux
Now that you know how to install Steam on Arch Linux, let’s look at some of the benefits of using Steam as your gaming platform:
1. Practical Method for Downloading and Managing Games
Steam’s user-friendly interface allows you to easily browse, purchase, and download games.
Additionally, Steam’s library management system makes it easy to organize and manage your game collection. 2.
Additional Features like Online Storage and Automated Upgrades
Steam also provides useful features like cloud storage for your game saves and automated game updates, ensuring that your games are always up-to-date with the latest patches and fixes. 3.
Diverse Selection of Games and Applications
Steam has a vast and active user and developer community, ensuring a wide variety of games and applications to suit your needs. You can also discover new and trending games through Steam’s recommendations and user reviews.
Conclusion
In conclusion, setting up Steam on Arch Linux is a straightforward process that allows you to enjoy a vast selection of games and applications with useful features like online storage and automated upgrades. With this guide, you can set up Steam on your Arch Linux system in a few easy steps.
Happy gaming!
Guide to Setting Up Steam on Arch Linux
Steam is a popular gaming platform that provides access to a vast library of games and applications. Setting up Steam on an Arch Linux system requires a few extra steps compared to other Linux distributions but is still relatively straightforward.
In this article, we covered the steps required to enable the multilib repository, upgrade our system, install Steam, and set up Proton for compatibility with Windows games. In this expansion, we’ll dive deeper into each of these topics to help you better understand the installation process.
Enabling the Multilib Repository
By default, the Arch Linux system doesn’t enable the multilib repository, which contains 32-bit libraries required for 64-bit applications like Steam. These libraries are essential for running many games that were developed for Windows.
Enabling the multilib repository is crucial in ensuring that such games and other software run seamlessly on your Arch Linux system. The Pacman configuration file contains a list of repositories that Pacman uses to download and install packages.
The most common way to enable the multilib repository is by uncommenting the following lines in the configuration file:
[multilib]
Include = /etc/pacman.d/mirrorlist
To open the Pacman configuration file, run the following command in your terminal:
sudo nano /etc/pacman.conf
Uncommenting these lines ensures that the multilib repository is added to Pacman’s list of repositories. Save the changes and run a full system upgrade before moving to the next step.
System Upgrade
Before installing any applications on your system, it’s always recommended to run a full system upgrade to ensure that your system has the latest software updates and dependencies. Use the Pacman utility to run a full system upgrade by running the following command in your terminal:
sudo pacman -Syu
This command updates your system packages, installs any new dependencies, and removes any packages that are no longer needed. This process may take several minutes, depending on the size of your system and internet speed.
Installing Steam
After enabling the multilib repository and upgrading your system, you can proceed to install Steam. The easiest and most straightforward way to install Steam on Arch Linux is by using the Pacman utility to install the ‘steam’ package.
To install Steam, run the following command in your terminal:
sudo pacman -S steam
Steam Package Dependencies
The installation process likely will automatically install the required libraries and dependencies for Steam to work. However, if it fails to install some dependencies, you need to download them manually using the Pacman utility or find them online.
You can use the pacman -Q command to check if Steam’s dependencies are installed on your system.
Launching Steam and Creating an Account
After successfully installing Steam, you can launch it from the command line, by typing ‘steam’. The first time you launch Steam, you will be prompted to create a new account or sign in to an existing one.
Follow the instructions provided by Steam to create a new account or sign in.
Setting Up Proton Compatibility Layer
Steam’s Proton is a compatibility layer that allows you to play several Windows games on Linux. It simulates a Windows environment on your Linux system, making Windows games and applications compatible with it.
To install Proton on Arch Linux, you’ll need to install Yay utility and AUR for easy installation. After installing both applications, follow these steps:
Step 1: Install proton-native-build-essentials package, which includes the required tools to build and package Proton:
yay -S proton-native-build-essentials
Step 2: Install Proton using Yay:
yay -S proton
Step 3: Set up Proton for specific games by following the instructions provided by the game developer.
Benefits of Using Steam on Arch Linux
There are several benefits of using Steam on an Arch Linux system. Steam provides a practical method for downloading, installing, and managing games through its user-friendly interface.
Steam’s library management system makes it straightforward to organize and manage your game collection. Furthermore, Steam provides additional features like cloud storage for your game saves, and automated game updates ensure that your games are always up-to-date with the latest patches and fixes.
Additionally, Steam provides access to a diverse selection of games and applications through its active user and developer community. In conclusion, setting up Steam on Arch Linux requires enabling the multilib repository, upgrading your system, installing Steam using the package manager, and configuring Proton compatibility layer.
Once set up, Steam provides access to a diverse selection of games and applications with useful features like cloud storage for your game saves and automated game updates. Using this guide, you can set up Steam on your Arch Linux system in a few easy steps.
Happy gaming!
In conclusion, this article has provided a step-by-step guide on how to set up Steam on an Arch Linux system. We covered the importance of enabling the multilib repository, running a system upgrade, installing Steam, and setting up Proton for compatibility with Windows games.
We also highlighted some of the benefits of using Steam on Arch Linux, including its user-friendly interface, library management system, and access to a diverse selection of games and applications. By following these steps, you can easily install Steam on your Arch Linux system and enjoy a seamless gaming experience.
Remember to upgrade your system often to keep it up-to-date with the latest software updates and dependencies. Keep on gaming!