About video game platforms
Video game platforms are integral to the modern gaming ecosystem, providing the infrastructure for accessing, downloading, and playing video games. One of the most prominent examples is Steam, a digital distribution platform developed by Valve Corporation. Steam serves as both a storefront and a community hub, offering gamers a vast library of titles across various genres and enabling features like cloud saves, achievements, and multiplayer matchmaking. According to Valve, Steam has become the largest digital distributor of PC games since its launch in 2003, shaping the industrys shift towards digital distribution.
Another essential category within video game platforms is emulators, such as PCSX2. PCSX2 is a PlayStation 2 emulator that enables users to play PlayStation 2 games on their computers. This platform focuses on preserving older games and providing enhanced graphics and performance capabilities compared to the original console. As the PCSX2 team describes, their goal is to ensure you can play your favorite PS2 games on your PC, with better graphics and numerous gameplay enhancements.
These platforms exemplify the diverse ways gamers can access and enjoy video games, whether through contemporary digital storefronts like Steam or through emulator applications like PCSX2 that perpetuate the longevity of classic games.
Best video game platforms for KDE neon
| Platform | Description | Features | Official Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steam | Steam is a digital distribution platform developed by Valve Corporation, offering digital rights management, multiplayer gaming, and social networking services. It provides the user with installation and automatic updating of games, and community features such as friends lists and groups, cloud saving, and in-game voice and chat functionality. |
|
Steam |
| PCSX2 | PCSX2 is a PlayStation 2 emulator for Windows, Linux, and macOS that enables users to run PS2 games on their PC. It uses a plugin architecture, which allows for greater compatibility and customization for user preferences. While it requires a more powerful computer, it is widely regarded as one of the best ways to play PlayStation 2 games today. |
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PCSX2 |
| Lutris | Lutris is an open-source gaming platform for Linux that allows you to gather and manage (using different emulators) all your games in one interface. It supports a wide range of game sources, including Steam, GOG, and Humble Bundle, as well as older games for systems like NES and Sega Genesis through various emulators. |
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Lutris |
| PlayOnLinux | PlayOnLinux is a graphical frontend for Wine, simplifying the installation and management of Windows software and games on Linux. It offers pre-configured profiles, making it easier to install and run thousands of Windows games and applications without dealing with complex Wine configurations. |
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PlayOnLinux |
| RetroArch | RetroArch is a frontend for emulators, game engines, and media players, allowing you to run classic games on a wide range of computers and consoles through its slick graphical interface. It uses cores, which are essentially plugins, to emulate different systems and can be expanded with various mods and settings. |
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RetroArch |
Comparison
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Video Game Platforms Available for KDE neon
| Platform | Description | License | Genre Support | Multi-Player | Controller Support | System Requirements | Installation Method | URL | Reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steam | Digital distribution platform | Proprietary | All genres | Yes | Yes | Varies | Native | Steam | Mostly Positive |
| PCSX2 | PlayStation 2 emulator | GPL | Console games | No | Yes | Moderate | Flatpak, PPA | PCSX2 | Very Positive |
| Dolphin | GameCube Wii emulator | GPL | Console games | Yes | Yes | Moderate | Flatpak, Native | Dolphin | Very Positive |
| Lutris | Open gaming platform | GPL | All genres | Yes | Yes | Varies | Flatpak, PPA | Lutris | Positive |
| RetroArch | Frontend for emulators | GPL | Retro games | Yes | Yes | Low | Flatpak, Native | RetroArch | Very Positive |
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