GOG is officially building a Linux client for Galaxy

GOG joint-CEO Krzysztof Papliński confirmed that the company hired a dedicated Linux specialist and is actively developing native Linux support for the GOG Galaxy launcher. According to GamingOnLinux, Papliński stated the company is exploring the best approach for the project. No specific timeline or release date is available yet.

A decade of web installers

GOG launched the Galaxy client in 2014 as an optional way to download games, track achievements, and manage cloud saves. According to GamingOnLinux, the software has only ever officially supported Windows and macOS. Linux users have had to rely on downloading offline installers directly from the GOG website. It works, but it isn't ideal. While the company does provide native Linux builds for games that support the operating system, the lack of a centralized client meant missing out on automatic updates and cloud sync.

GOG Galaxy received a massive overhaul in 2019 with the 2.0 update. The client transformed into a universal library manager, allowing users to connect their accounts from Steam, the Epic Games Store, and Xbox to see all their games in one place. Bringing that level of integration to Linux would be a massive benefit for players who currently juggle multiple launchers just to see what games they own.

In recent years, the community built open-source alternatives to fill the gap. Programs like Heroic Games Launcher and Lutris allow Linux users to log into their GOG accounts and manage their libraries. These tools work well, but an official first-party client removes the need to rely on community workarounds. I am curious to see if GOG plans to integrate a compatibility layer similar to Valve's Proton directly into the new Linux client, or if it will only serve native Linux game files.

The hardware factor

The demand for native Linux gaming software shifted dramatically in 2022 when Valve released the Steam Deck. The handheld runs on SteamOS, a Linux-based operating system. Its massive commercial success brought a new wave of players to the Linux ecosystem. Getting non-Steam games running on the device usually requires dropping into desktop mode and configuring third-party software.

Papliński acknowledged the ongoing community requests in his email to GamingOnLinux. He noted that Linux remains one of the most discussed topics among their user base.

"Following the role we announced earlier this year, we now have the specialist on board and are actively exploring the best way to approach Linux support for GOG GALAXY," Papliński said. "This is a significant undertaking, so while we're not ready to share any specific plans, timelines, or results just yet, it's very much an area we're investing time and effort into."

It takes time

According to GamingOnLinux, GOG previously said they planned to look closer at Linux as the next major frontier, aligning with their focus on open desktop platforms.

There is no beta test or release window to look forward to just yet. The hiring of a dedicated Linux specialist indicates the project is moving out of the conceptual phase and into active production. Until GOG shares more details, Linux players will need to keep using their web browsers and community launchers to access their DRM-free libraries.

Source: www.gamingonlinux.com