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Proton Experimental Update: Boosts SteamOS, Linux Gaming

Proton Experimental Update: Boosts SteamOS, Linux Gaming
Screenshot showing a game running on Steam Deck or a Linux PC, representing the Proton Experimental update improving gaming performance.

Valve has just rolled out a crucial update to its Proton Experimental compatibility layer, bringing a wave of much-needed fixes and enhanced playability to SteamOS and Linux users. Released on November 22nd, 2025, this fresh patch is set to dramatically improve the gaming experience across a range of titles, including fan favorites like Marvel Rivals and Blazblue Centralfiction.

Seamless Integration: How to Access the Latest Proton Experimental

For dedicated SteamOS and Linux gamers, integrating this vital update into your system is straightforward. If you already have Proton Experimental installed, the patch will appear automatically in your Steam Downloads, ready for installation. For those who use it less frequently, or when a game is configured by Valve to default to Proton Experimental, the update will download in the background as you launch your title. Alternatively, users can proactively search for "Proton Experimental" within their Steam Library to manually install it and apply the improvements to their preferred games.

Groundbreaking Fixes and New Playable Titles Arrive

This latest Proton Experimental build delivers a robust package of fixes and, most notably, introduces a brand-new playable title. Gamers can now dive into:

  • NASCAR 25: Now fully playable on SteamOS and Linux.

Beyond new playability, the update resolves several critical issues that have been impacting gameplay:

  • Incorrect registration of horizontal mouse scroll as back/forward buttons has been rectified.
  • The persistent GPU error plaguing Ara: History Untold has been eliminated.
  • The intro video in Blazblue Centralfiction will now loop correctly.
  • Crashes in Dragon's Dogma Dark Arisen on systems with lengthy Steam Library paths are a thing of the past.

Critical Regressions Addressed in Proton Experimental and Proton 10

Valve hasn't just focused on new issues; the update also meticulously targets and resolves regressions introduced in previous Proton versions, ensuring a stable and reliable gaming environment. This includes making popular titles playable once more:

Proton Experimental Regressions Fixed:

  • Marvel Rivals: Playability has been fully restored.
  • Skull & Bones: Players can once again enjoy this title without prior issues.

Proton 10 Regressions Fixed:

Following the recent release of Proton 10, Valve has also rolled out fixes for specific issues encountered with that version:

  • Sackboy: A Big Adventure: Users should no longer encounter a series of errors during gameplay.
  • CHRONO TRIGGER: The annoying full-screen flickering issue has been resolved, providing a smoother experience.

This proactive approach from Valve continues to cement Proton's status as an indispensable tool for expanding the Linux and Steam Deck gaming library, promising an even more polished and accessible future for players.