Introduction
If you’re gaming on Arch Linux, you already know how flexible the platform is for customization. But when it comes to playing Windows exclusive titles, even Steam’s built in Proton can sometimes fall short. That’s where Proton-GE-Custom comes into play. Built by the community, this special fork of Proton GE integrates patches and fixes long before they land in the official release. Thanks to the AUR (Arch User Repository), installing and keeping Proton-GE-Custom up to date is seamless.
Why Choose Proton GE Custom on Arch Linux?
Early Access to Fixes: Some games won’t launch or stutter on official Proton, but Proton-GE-Custom often resolves this quickly.
AUR Integration: Arch users can install and update Proton GE Custom with just a few commands.
Community Driven: Updates are frequent, based on user feedback and compatibility needs.
Installing Proton GE Custom via AUR
Step 1: Update Your Arch System
Run the following command to stay current:
sudo pacman -Syu
Step 2: Use an AUR Helper (yay example)
If you don’t have yay installed, grab it first. Then run:
yay -S proton ge custom
This downloads and builds the latest Proton GE Custom package from the AUR.
Step 3: Enable Proton in Steam
Open Steam → Settings → Compatibility.
Enable Steam Play for all titles.
Assign Proton GE Custom to specific games under their Properties → Compatibility tab.
Keeping Proton GE Custom Updated
One of the strengths of Arch Linux is rolling updates. With yay or your preferred AUR helper, simply run:
yay -Syu
This ensures your Proton GE Custom installation is always on the latest release.
Conclusion
By installing Proton GE Custom on Arch Linux via AUR, you gain access to faster patches, smoother gameplay, and better compatibility than stock Proton alone. The combination of Arch’s flexibility and Proton GE’s improvements makes Linux gaming far more reliable. With just a few commands, you can take your gaming setup to the next level.
