Gaming on Linux: Install Lutris on Linux Mint Quick & Easy

Lutris definitely has become a big part of gaming on Linux and contributes great value to everyone who wants to play their favorite games on our favorite OS. In this tutorial, I show you how to install Lutris on Linux Mint 19 and how to install a game.

Let’s dive right in.

Table of Contents

• Step 1 – Adding the Lutris repository to Linux Mint
• Step 2 – Updating apt and installing Lutris
• Step 3 – Installing Nvidia Drivers
• Step 4 – Installing Wine
• Step 5 – Installing a game on Lutris
• Conclusion

Step 1 – Adding the Lutris repository to Linux Mint

To install Lutris on Linux Mint, we first have to add the apt repository to our system. That is easily done by opening a console and entering the following command.

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:lutris-team/lutris

Confirm with Enter. If you are worried about adding a third-party repository, you don’t need to be. Lutris has a great reputation and is a legitimate project.

Step 2 – Updating apt and installing Lutris

Next, we update the repository and install Lutris on Linux Mint.

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install lutrisCode language: JavaScript (javascript)

After this is done, we need to go ahead and install the correct drivers.

Step 3 – Installing Nvidia Drivers

In this tutorial, we use Nvidia drivers. In case you use an AMD graphics card, follow these instructions.

sudo dpkg --add-architecture i386
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:graphics-drivers/ppa
sudo apt update

Now before you run the install command, make sure your Graphics Card is supported by the latest drivers! Check it here.

To find out which Graphics Card Model you have on Linux run the following command.

lspci -vnn | grep VGA -A 12

Once you have that figured out, you can go ahead and install the latest drivers.

sudo apt install nvidia-driver-418

You have to reboot your system for the changes to apply.

You should also install Vulkan if you have a Vulkan capable GPU to ensure full support for all games. You find detailed instructions here. Just scroll down to Installing Vulkan.

Step 4 – Installing Wine

Wine is a prerequisite for Lutris, so we have to install it as well.

This is done with a few steps. First, we need to add the Wine repository to our system, the steps here are slightly different.

wget -nc https://dl.winehq.org/wine-builds/winehq.key
sudo apt-key add winehq.keyCode language: JavaScript (javascript)

sudo apt-add-repository 'deb https://dl.winehq.org/wine-builds/ubuntu/ bionic main' 
sudo apt-get updateCode language: JavaScript (javascript)

Now we are going to install Wine.

sudo apt install --install-recommends winehq-stable

Step 5 – Installing a game on Lutris

Now everything should be set up. Press the Windows key or hit the Menu button and type Lutris, start it.

Once you have Lutris open, select the Browser, type a game you want to be installed in the search field and click Search Lutris.net

In this example, I am going to install the classic MMORPG Dark Age of Camelot.

Click on Install, then follow through with the dialogues. Now Lutris works its scripting magic and installs whatever game you chose on your computer. Setting up Wine and everything for you, ready to hit the play button.

Most likely, Lutris / Wine will prompt you to install a couple of dependencies. Just install all of them.

Once the game is installed, you find it in Lutris either under Linux or Wine. From here, just choose the game and hit Play.

Conclusion

And there you have it. Gaming on Linux is really becoming more and more accessible. I wait for the day to come where I can simply say goodbye to Windows forever. We still have a long road in front of us, but the progress that has been made in the past 2-3 years thanks to Steam, Lutris, Wine and a couple of other projects is truly amazing.

Make sure to support the tools you like, because everyone in the Linux world is basically working for free. Donations are highly appreciated.