Idea - Open source Linux-first gaming store

[greg-harodnia]

Currently, only Steam (and soon likely GOG) offers a native Linux game store. The idea is to create a truly non-profit, open-source store for Linux—one that operates independently of any company, including Valve.

• Open-source for Linux → Builds trust, ensures transparency, and enables community collaboration.
• 0% commission → Highly appealing to developers, especially smaller studios, for publishing their games.
• Decentralized downloads using torrent-like technology (similar to Windows Update distribution) → No need for costly central servers, enabling maximum download speeds and legal, resilient file sharing. Once game rights are recorded on the blockchain, they cannot be centrally removed.
• No DRM → Less hassle for users and no performance overhead.
• Exclusively for Proton-compatible and native Linux games → The first truly Linux-first game store, where everything is guaranteed to work on your system.
• Independent of Steam → Integrated tools like UMU launcher for running games, Gamescope for better latency and HDR, game mode switcher, plus optional enhancements such as Feral’s GameMode, MangoHud, and more.
• Pay-what-you-want store donations (starting from $0) → A philosophy that puts control in the hands of the user, in true Linux spirit.

Example: Installing Cyberpunk 2077

1. Purchase the game — The store offers two options:

Buy directly through the publisher’s site.
Purchase within the store (which adds it to your library automatically).

If you buy externally, you can manually add the game to your store library by providing proof of purchase (basically connecting your store account with the external store account).

You also decide how much you want to donate to the Store (starting from 0).

2. Download/install — Once you’ve acquired the right to download the game, it’s delivered via torrent-like technology for maximum speed, installing in chunks as it downloads.

3. Play and own — The game files are stored locally with no DRM. You can copy them to other machines you own, but redistribution or resale is restricted.

Redownload anytime — Your right to the game is stored on the blockchain, permanent and independent of the store’s continued operation.

[That1LinuxGuy]

Although I do like the idea, I think that the Open Gaming Collective is not the place for it. Upstream First is the priority, so creating and maintaining a brand new project would be counter-intuitive.