Adding Wine Versions
Wine is open-source software that translates Windows code to Linux-readable code, allowing you to run Windows applications on Linux (or Mac via CrossOver). Because it's open-source, there are many different "flavors" or forks of Wine, each with their own versions and optimizations.
Wine Flavors Overview
| Wine Flavor | Developer | Description | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vanilla Wine | WineHQ Team | Original Wine source code | General Windows applications |
| Proton | Valve | Valve's gaming-focused Wine fork | Steam games (official) |
| Proton GE | GloriousEggroll | Community Proton with extra codecs/fixes | Games requiring additional codecs |
Which Wine Flavor to Use?
TIP
For Visual Novels, we primarily recommend:
- Proton GE - Most compatible with VNs due to included codecs and patches
- Lutris Wine - Alternative option with VN-specific optimizations
Why Proton GE?
- Includes Windows codecs that Valve can't legally distribute
- Community-maintained with gaming-specific fixes
- Better compatibility with multimedia content in VNs
Installation Methods
Method 1: ProtonUP-QT (Recommended)
IMPORTANT
ProtonUP-QT is the easiest way to manage Wine versions across different launchers.
Installation:
- Install via Flatpak (platform-agnostic)
- Visit Flathub - ProtonUP-QT
- Or run:
flatpak install flathub net.davidotek.pupgui2
Usage:
- Launch ProtonUP-QT
- Select target program (Steam, Lutris, Bottles, etc.)
- Click "Add Version"
- Choose Wine flavor and version from the dropdown
- Click "Install"
NOTE
ProtonUP-QT works with Steam, Lutris, Bottles, and other Wine frontends.
Method 2: Manual Installation
Vanilla Wine:
- Download from WineHQ
- Follow distribution-specific installation instructions
Proton GE:
- Download from GitHub releases
- Extract to appropriate directory based on your launcher
Launcher-Specific Setup
Steam
- Wine versions appear in: Steam Settings > Compatibility > Run other titles
- Select installed Proton version per-game
Lutris
- Wine versions appear in: Preferences > Runners > Wine
- Select version when creating new game configurations
Bottles
- Wine versions appear in bottle creation/settings
- Can switch versions per-bottle
Troubleshooting
Common Issues:
- Version not appearing: Restart your launcher after installation
- Installation fails: Check available disk space and permissions
- Game won't launch: Try different Wine versions (newer isn't always better)
Wine Version Selection Tips:
- Start with latest Proton GE for new VNs
- Use older versions for legacy VNs if newer ones cause issues
- Check VN compatibility lists for recommended versions
moogul