The Proton Crutch

https://www.gamingonlinux.com/2024/09/last-epoch-drops-the-native-linux-version-devs-tell-players-to-use-proton/

Folks, Steam developed Proton to solve an economic paradox. Proton is now the paradox.

Steam OS and the Steam Deck was supposed to be the Linux gaming solution. It was meant to expand the base of gamers on Linux to give developers a market isolated from Windows, with Proton as a temporary solution.

Microsoft is slowly ripping the local hardware roots out of Windows in the name of security. The cloud bubble and impending recession (see 1970s agriculture and housing prices), will set the adoption back, but it is inevitable that a recession rebound will bring the end of native Windows hardware. I develop industrial software for a living and we are already at the point of virtualizing everything. Industrial systems are a major cyber security incident away from being required to host critical software on Homeland Security-approved server farms. 

Valve knows virtual Windows is coming and is desperately trying to get ahead of the curve, but developers aren't taking Valve's behavior seriously. Developers reliance on Proton and refusal to make a native Linux build will be the reason those developers leave the industry. Microsoft will have no remorse when they cut off security features for 2 year old chips. They will do it in the name of security and will have support from CEOs that see opportunity to cut CISO budgets out in favor of subscription fees and transferred liability. Microsoft doesn't want customers to have a full OS stored on local hardware and CEOs don't want to pay staff o manage it. When Microsoft virtualizes your OS, it will happen with an update that doesn't work and hardware that can't be replaced. 

Gabe won't be around to press a button and release your games when it happens. Valve will point to Proton and the hardware manufacturers will point to console. There will be a hard disconnect between developers that didn't want to make software for Linux hardware and hardware makers that didn't want to make hardware for Linux. The only winners in the end will probably be a BRICS solution on RISC-V hardware and a Linux kernel that plays some weird MMO that nobody outside of the BRICS world knows anything about.