Debian-Based Gaming Setup Script v2.1

A comprehensive automated gaming environment setup for Debian-based Linux distributions

Transform your Debian-based Linux system into a complete gaming powerhouse with a single command. This script automates the installation and configuration of GPU drivers, gaming platforms, compatibility layers, performance tools, and system optimizations with both interactive and automated modes.

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🌟 What's New in v2.1

• ✨ SOBER - Play Roblox on Linux
• ✨ Waydroid - Run Android apps and mobile games
• ✨ GreenWithEnvy - NVIDIA GPU monitoring and overclocking
• ✨ vkBasalt - ReShade-like post-processing for Vulkan games
• ✨ Mod Manager Tools - Complete modding setup
• 🐛 Ubuntu 24.04 Fixes - Package compatibility resolved
• 📖 Enhanced Documentation - Complete usage guides

See CHANGELOG.md for full details

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🚀 Quick Start

One-Command Installation

# Download
wget https://github.com/Sandler73/Debian-Gaming-Setup-Project/blob/main/debian_gaming_setup.py

# Interactive mode (recommended for first-time users)
sudo python3 debian_gaming_setup.py

# Or automated (NVIDIA example)
sudo python3 debian_gaming_setup.py -y \
    --nvidia --all-platforms --optimize --launcher

That's it! Reboot after installation and start gaming! 🎮

See Quick_Start for detailed first-time setup guide.

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⭐ Key Features

• ✅ 6 Gaming Platforms - Steam, Lutris, Heroic, ProtonUp-Qt, Roblox (SOBER), Android (Waydroid)
• ✅ All GPU Vendors - NVIDIA, AMD, Intel with automatic detection
• ✅ VM Support - VMware, VirtualBox, KVM, Hyper-V, Xen
• ✅ 51+ CLI Arguments - Full automation capabilities
• ✅ Smart Prompts - Shows versions, detects updates, intelligent recommendations
• ✅ Dry-Run Mode - Test before installing
• ✅ Performance Tools - GameMode, MangoHud, vkBasalt, CPU governor
• ✅ Visual Enhancement - vkBasalt post-processing, ReShade guidance
• ✅ Comprehensive Logging - Detailed logs with error tracking
• ✅ 10+ Distributions - Ubuntu, Mint, Debian, Pop!_OS, Elementary, Zorin, Kali

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📦 What Gets Installed

Core Components

• GPU Drivers - NVIDIA/AMD/Intel or VM guest tools
• Gaming Platforms - Steam, Lutris, Heroic, ProtonUp-Qt
• Compatibility - Wine, Winetricks, GE-Proton
• Performance - GameMode, MangoHud, Goverlay
• Utilities - Discord, OBS, Mumble, controller support

New in v2.1 ✨

• SOBER - Roblox on Linux via Flatpak
• Waydroid - Full Android container for mobile games
• GreenWithEnvy - NVIDIA GPU control and monitoring
• vkBasalt - Vulkan post-processing (ReShade-like)
• Mod Managers - MO2, Vortex, r2modman setup

See complete list in Usage_Guide.md

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💻 Supported Systems

Tested & Verified ✅

• Ubuntu 24.04, 22.04, 20.04
• Linux Mint 22, 21, 20
• Debian 12 (Bookworm), 11 (Bullseye)
• Pop!_OS 22.04+
• Elementary OS 7+
• Zorin OS 17+

Hardware Support

• Physical GPUs - NVIDIA GeForce/Quadro/Tesla, AMD Radeon, Intel HD/Iris/Arc
• Virtual Machines - VMware, VirtualBox, KVM/QEMU, Hyper-V

See full compatibility matrix

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🎯 Usage Examples

Complete Setups

NVIDIA Gaming PC:

sudo python3 debian_gaming_setup.py -y \
    --nvidia --all-platforms --wine --ge-proton \
    --gamemode --mangohud --gwe --vkbasalt \
    --discord --obs --optimize --launcher

AMD Gaming PC:

sudo python3 debian_gaming_setup.py -y \
    --amd --all-platforms --wine --ge-proton \
    --gamemode --mangohud --vkbasalt --optimize

Virtual Machine:

sudo python3 debian_gaming_setup.py -y \
    --vm-tools --steam --lutris --gamemode

Specialized Setups

Roblox Player:

sudo python3 debian_gaming_setup.py -y --sober

Mobile Gaming:

sudo python3 debian_gaming_setup.py -y --waydroid --controllers

Visual Enhancement:

sudo python3 debian_gaming_setup.py -y --vkbasalt --reshade --mangohud

See more examples in Usage_Guide.md

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🎛️ Command-Line Options

Quick Reference

General:          -y, --yes, --dry-run, --verbose
GPU/Drivers:      --nvidia, --amd, --intel, --vm-tools
Platforms:        --steam, --lutris, --heroic, --sober, --waydroid
Compatibility:    --wine, --ge-proton
Performance:      --gamemode, --mangohud, --gwe
Graphics:         --vkbasalt, --reshade
Tools:            --discord, --obs, --mod-managers, --controllers
System:           --optimize, --launcher

Complete CLI reference in Usage_Guide.md

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🎮 Post-Installation

Essential Steps

1. Reboot (required for drivers)

   sudo reboot

2. Verify GPU drivers

   nvidia-smi  # NVIDIA
   glxinfo | grep "OpenGL renderer"  # AMD/Intel

3. Configure Steam

   • Settings → Compatibility
   • Enable "Steam Play for all titles"
   • Select Proton Experimental

4. Test with a game

   • Native: Counter-Strike 2, Portal 2 (free)
   • Proton: Stardew Valley, Terraria

5. Use performance launcher

   ~/launch-game.sh steam

Detailed post-install guide in Quick_Start.md

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📖 Documentation

Document	Purpose	Best For
README.md	Overview & quick start	Everyone
Quick_Start.md	Step-by-step guide	First-time users
Usage_Guide.md	Complete reference	All users
CHANGELOG.md	Version history	Tracking changes
CONTRIBUTING.md	Contribution guide	Contributors
SECURITY.md	Security policies	Reporting issues

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🐛 Troubleshooting

Common Issues

"Package has no installation candidate"

sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade

NVIDIA driver not loading

sudo apt-get install --reinstall nvidia-driver-*
sudo update-initramfs -u && sudo reboot

Steam won't launch

steam  # Run from terminal to see errors
rm -rf ~/.steam/steam/appcache/  # Clear cache

Check logs

cat ~/gaming_setup_logs/gaming_setup_*.log | tail -100
grep ERROR ~/gaming_setup_logs/gaming_setup_*.log

Full troubleshooting guide in Usage_Guide.md

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🤝 Contributing

Contributions welcome! See CONTRIBUTING.md for guidelines.

Quick steps:

1. Fork repository
2. Create feature branch
3. Test with --dry-run
4. Submit pull request

Areas needing help:

• Testing on different distributions
• Additional platform support
• Documentation improvements
• Bug fixes

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📊 Project Stats

• 3,341 lines of Python code
• 51+ CLI arguments for automation
• 6 gaming platforms supported
• 15+ utilities included
• 10+ distributions tested
• Active maintenance ongoing

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🌟 Acknowledgments

Inspired by:

• Original Ubuntu gaming setup script
• GameReady, linux-gaming, Gamebuntu projects

Special thanks:

• Valve (Steam, Proton)
• Lutris developers
• GloriousEggroll (GE-Proton)
• Feral Interactive (GameMode)
• MangoHud developers
• Open-source gaming community

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📜 License

MIT License - Free to use, modify, and distribute.

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⚠️ Disclaimer

This script makes system-level changes. Always:

• ✅ Backup important data
• ✅ Test with --dry-run first
• ✅ Review logs for errors
• ✅ Understand what's being installed

Use at your own risk. No warranty provided.

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🚀 Get Started

# Download
wget https://github.com/Sandler73/Debian-Gaming-Setup-Project/blob/main/debian_gaming_setup.py

# Test (safe)
sudo python3 debian_gaming_setup.py --dry-run

# Install (interactive)
sudo python3 debian_gaming_setup.py

# Install (automated)
sudo python3 debian_gaming_setup.py -y --all-platforms --optimize

Ready to game on Linux? See Quick_Start.md! 🎮

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Made with ❤️ for the Linux gaming community

Version 2.1.0 | Updated January 2026

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