Opera GX, the gamer‑centric browser, is coming to Linux — raising questions about whether Windows is losing its grip on PC gaming

Opera GX, the popular web browser designed for gamers and famous for its playful jabs at other browsers on X (formerly Twitter), is coming to Linux later this year.

I’ve been noticing more and more people switching to Linux lately, and it totally makes sense! A lot of us are getting a little annoyed with Microsoft pushing all this AI stuff into Windows, and it seems like that’s really pushing people towards alternatives. It’s awesome to see distributions like Zorin OS benefiting – they just hit 2 million installs, and a huge chunk of those new users—over a third—are coming straight from Windows. It’s a really exciting time for the Linux community!

Opera GX has announced on X that they’re building a version of their browser specifically for Linux. This is great news for Steam Deck users and the wider Linux gaming community, as it will allow them to use the browser natively on their systems. It’s another positive development for Linux users and those who demand a lot from their software.

What Linux users can realistically expect from Opera GX

Opera GX is a browser designed with gamers in mind. It lets you control how much computer power – like RAM, CPU, and internet bandwidth – the browser uses, and it also connects directly with Discord and Twitch.

As a researcher, I’ve been evaluating Opera GX, and while it’s designed for gamers, I’ve found it performs well for general browsing too. I’ve been trying to move away from Chrome and currently use Edge, but Microsoft’s heavy integration of Copilot is making me rethink that. I’m now seriously considering switching to Opera GX, especially if a Linux version were available, or perhaps even to Brave.

We’re excited to share that we’re developing Opera GX for Linux! Is now a good moment to make the announcement? https://t.co/mAE6nqoGiV – January 14, 2026

Opera GX is expected to become available for Linux users relatively soon, with a planned release sometime in the first quarter of 2026.

Opera GX announced its response by sharing a post about Microsoft’s plan to add Copilot AI directly into Windows 11’s File Explorer. This highlighted a difference in approach, especially as Microsoft adds more AI features to Windows. For years, Windows has been the go-to operating system for PC gamers, but this move suggests things are changing. While Linux might not fully replace Windows, it’s becoming a stronger option with better tools. The bottom line is that Windows no longer has a complete hold on gamers’ attention, and its dominance is starting to weaken.

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2026-01-19 17:09