Linux gaming: Running Windows games with Bottles and Wine

Linux Gaming: Reviving Classic Windows Games with Bottles

Modern Linux distributions are increasingly becoming a viable platform for gaming, largely thanks to the efforts of Steam and Proton. However, launching classic Windows games and applications that fall outside the Steam ecosystem requires a different approach. Bottles offers a solution: a user-friendly graphical interface for Wine that allows you to create isolated environments for running Windows software. In this guide, we'll delve into the process of installing Bottles on Fedora and demonstrate how to run the iconic game S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl, proving the effectiveness of this method for revisiting beloved titles on Linux.

Understanding Bottles and Wine: The Foundations of Compatibility

Wine (Wine Is Not an Emulator) is a compatibility layer that enables Windows applications to run on various POSIX-compliant operating systems, including Linux, macOS, and BSD. Unlike traditional emulators or virtual machines, Wine doesn't fully mimic the internal logic of the Windows operating system. Instead, it translates Windows API calls into equivalent POSIX calls, providing direct access to system resources. This significantly boosts performance compared to full virtualization.

Bottles is a modern and intuitive graphical frontend for Wine, designed to simplify the management of various Wine prefixes (often referred to as "containers" or "bottles"). Each "container" represents an isolated environment that mimics a Windows file structure (e.g., C: drive) and contains all the necessary Wine libraries and settings for a specific application or game. This approach helps avoid conflicts between different Wine versions or dependencies required by various programs. For instance, one "bottle" can be configured for an older game needing DirectX 9, while another can be set up for a newer application using DirectX 11 or 12. This ensures high flexibility and stability when working with diverse Windows software on Linux.

To successfully run your target software, you'll need the game or application's distribution files and Bottles installed.

Installing Bottles via Flatpak on Fedora

The simplest and recommended way to install Bottles on modern Linux distributions like Fedora is by using the Flatpak package manager. Flatpak provides an isolated environment for applications, enhancing security and stability while simplifying dependency management.

For installing Bottles via Flatpak, execute the following commands in your terminal:

# Install Flatpak support (if not already installed)
sudo dnf install flatpak

# Add the Flathub repository
sudo flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo

# Install Bottles
flatpak install flathub com.usebottles.bottles

After executing these commands, Bottles will be installed and ready for use. You can launch it from your operating system's application menu.

Creating and Configuring Your First "Bottle"

Upon first launching Bottles, you'll be prompted to create a new "Bottle" (container). This process might take a few minutes as Bottles initializes the virtual file system and installs essential Wine components.

Choose Bottle Type: Bottles offers various "Environments" optimized for gaming, software, or custom configurations. For games, it's recommended to select the appropriate gaming profile, which includes pre-installed components like DXVK, VKD3D, and Wine-GE.
Initialization: After selecting the type, Bottles will create all necessary files and folders. Upon completion, you'll see the management interface for your new Bottle.

Inside each Bottle, there's a simulated C:\ drive, accessible via your file manager. This directory will appear in your Linux system as drive_c/ within the Bottle's folder. This is where you should copy your game or application's installation files.

Launching Installation and Initial Game Setup

Once the game's installation files (e.g., setup.exe or another executable) have been copied into the drive_c/ directory within your Bottle, you can proceed with the installation.

Run Executable: In the Bottles interface, select your Bottle, then click the "Run Executable" button and specify the path to the game's installer.
Installation Process: The Windows installer will launch within the isolated Bottle environment. Follow the standard installation instructions as you would on Windows. The game will be installed into your Bottle's virtual file system.
Add to Programs List: After installation is complete, Bottles will automatically detect the installed game and add it to the "Programs" list within the corresponding Bottle. This allows for easy future launches without needing to locate the executable again.

Optimization and Troubleshooting Potential Issues

One common issue when running older games on Linux via Wine/Bottles is interaction with graphics APIs. Bottles often includes DXVK by default — a translation layer for DirectX 9/10/11 to Vulkan, and VKD3D-Proton for DirectX 12. While DXVK significantly improves performance for many modern games, it can cause compatibility issues or instability for some older titles.

Configuration Recommendations:

Disabling DXVK: If a game doesn't launch or runs incorrectly, try temporarily disabling DXVK in the Bottle's settings. To do this, navigate to your Bottle's settings, find the section related to Graphics Components or DXVK, and deactivate the corresponding toggle. This will force Wine to use its built-in DirectX implementation or other available compatibility layers.
Choosing Wine Version: Bottles allows you to easily switch between different versions of Wine and Wine-GE (GloriousEggroll), each potentially offering better compatibility for specific games. Experimenting with different Wine versions can resolve launch issues.
Installing Additional Components: In some cases, a game might require specific Windows libraries or components (e.g., .NET Framework, Visual C++ Redistributables). Bottles provides a convenient tool to install these directly from the Bottle interface.

The example of running S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl demonstrates that even games not originally designed for Linux can be successfully launched and function. This experience opens up vast possibilities for gamers and technical professionals who wish to use Linux as their primary entertainment platform without giving up their favorite Windows games.

Conclusion: New Horizons for Linux Gaming

The ability to run older Windows games on Linux using Bottles and Wine is more than just a technical solution; it's a significant step towards expanding the functionality of Linux-based operating systems. This approach not only allows you to enjoy classic titles but also to utilize specialized software previously tied exclusively to the Windows platform. For developers and technical professionals, understanding the principles behind Bottles, Wine, and Flatpak unlocks new opportunities for testing, deploying, and using cross-platform solutions. Bottles' ease of installation and configuration makes it an accessible tool even for users with intermediate technical knowledge, while its deep customization options allow experienced users to fine-tune environments for specific tasks.

Key Takeaways:

Bottles simplifies running Windows applications on Linux by using Wine as a compatibility layer, not an emulator.
Each "Bottle" (container) is an isolated environment mimicking a Windows file system, preventing conflicts between applications.
Installation via Flatpak ensures high security, stability, and ease of management on distributions like Fedora.
Optimal performance for older games may require manual configuration of Bottle parameters, such as disabling DXVK or selecting a specific Wine version.
Bottles technology significantly expands Linux's gaming potential, making a vast library of classic and modern Windows games accessible.

— Editorial Team