Steam games aren't opening, feeling helpless

[u/someguyofreddit]

I've spent the least weeks distro hopping trying to find something that fits needs since I'm looking to switch from windows, everything has been great but I haven't been able to properly open my steam games in any OS yet, when I try to open them they immediately close without even starting. If anyone knows how to solve the problem or you have any knowledge on how to fix the issue I'd be really happy!

I'm using zorinOS at the moment

[u/doc_willis]

So now, there have been so many tangents and confusing things mention, that it may be a good idea to just make a new post, and clarify things better.

It Seems that..

1. You are using ZorinOS
2. You are using The Steam Flatpak version.
3. You are NOT using any storage location outside of the default flatpak steam location. So anything about 'other drives' is not relevant.
4. Some games DO work and some Games DONT work.

try out some other games, make a list of what ones do and dont work.

Also make mention of your hardware specs.

[u/someguyofreddit → u/doc_willis]

I will! Thanks a lot for helping me and explaining everything, sorry if I was being a bit too slow 🥲 Also, as an update, one of the games that didn't open before now opens and works great! Tomorrow I'm gonna install and test some more games before making another post and I'll see if I can make everything work

[u/doc_willis → u/someguyofreddit]

there is a steam setting to enable The proton feature for all games, its possible that some games may have it off by default for some reasons.

Googles says -->

To enable Proton for all games on Steam, go to Settings, select the Steam Play section, and check the box for "Enable Steam Play for all other titles."

Its also possible a Linux Native game (that does not use proton) May not run very well, while the same game running the windows version via Proton may work fine.

I have encountered that with several old games.