We do often include affiliate links to earn us some pennies. See more here.

The Linux GOTY award is now over, here are the results!

By - | Views: 87,813
It was a massive year for Linux gaming, so here's a look at who won and a big congratulations to all who did!

Note: These are just the top charts, there were plenty more entries in each category.

Favourite open source game 0 A.D. 730 A.D.OpenTTD 49OpenTTDSuperTuxKart 48SuperTuxKartBattle for Wesnoth 43Battle for WesnothXonotic 24XonoticNethack 19NethackThe Dark Mod 16The Dark ModMinetest 15MinetestFreeciv 12FreecivDungeon Crawl Stone Soup 9Dungeon Crawl Stone Soup 0 A.D. 73OpenTTD 49SuperTuxKart 48Battle for Wesnoth 43Xonotic 24Nethack 19The Dark Mod 16Minetest 15Freeciv 12Dungeon Crawl Stone Soup 9 7349484324191615129 01530456075 Total Votes

I wasn't honestly sure who was going to win this, as there's some pretty hot competition there! Well done to 0 A.D. who do put in a lot of effort to make a professional project.

Best graphics for a game released in 2016 Deus Ex: Mankind Divided 120Deus Ex: Mankind DividedMad Max 50Mad MaxTomb Raider 49Tomb RaiderDying Light: The Following 37Dying Light: The FollowingFirewatch 23FirewatchXCOM 2 16XCOM 2Rocket League 14Rocket LeagueHyper Light Drifter 13Hyper Light DrifterStellaris 11StellarisShadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun 11Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun Deus Ex: Mankind Divided 120Mad Max 50Tomb Raider 49Dying Light: The Following 37Firewatch 23XCOM 2 16Rocket League 14Hyper Light Drifter 13Stellaris 11Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun 11 120504937231614131111 024487296120 Total Votes

The lead Deus Ex: Mankind Divided had is quite amazing, but not surprising. It does look absolutely gorgeous and I am personally a big fan of it!

Best story for a game released in 2016 Life is Strange 114Life is StrangeFirewatch 45FirewatchTomb Raider 37Tomb RaiderTyranny 30TyrannyUndertale 30UndertaleDeus Ex: Mankind Divided 21Deus Ex: Mankind DividedDay of the Tentacle 19Day of the TentacleOxenfree 14OxenfreeHyper Light Drifter 7Hyper Light DrifterVA-11 Hall-A 5VA-11 Hall-A Life is Strange 114Firewatch 45Tomb Raider 37Tyranny 30Undertale 30Deus Ex: Mankind Divided 21Day of the Tentacle 19Oxenfree 14Hyper Light Drifter 7VA-11 Hall-A 5 1144537303021191475 023466992115 Total Votes

Another Feral Interactive ported title here and again not very surprising. I completed it during a livestream and the overall story was pretty amazing. Even if the end was a little on the odd side.

Most promising Early Access game in 2016 Black Mesa 55Black MesaFactorio 41FactorioRimworld 34RimworldThe Long Dark 33The Long DarkSlime Rancher 24Slime RancherBallistic Overkill 23Ballistic OverkillDistance 22DistanceParkitect 20Parkitect7 Days to Die 177 Days to DieRust 10Rust Black Mesa 55Factorio 41Rimworld 34The Long Dark 33Slime Rancher 24Ballistic Overkill 23Distance 22Parkitect 207 Days to Die 17Rust 10 55413433242322201710 01122334455 Total Votes

This one I am genuinely surprised by, as I honestly thought it would turn out completely differently. I was fully expecting one of the survival games to take the crown, but I'm pleasantly surprised by the results here. Massive competition in this category, so well done to all who made the top!

Best update released in 2016 Dota 2 35Dota 2SuperTuxKart 33SuperTuxKartStellaris 28StellarisKerbal Space Program 24Kerbal Space ProgramFactorio 21FactorioTerraria 19TerrariaStardew Valley 18Stardew ValleyDreamfall Chapters 17Dreamfall ChaptersArma 3 16Arma 3Planetary Annihilation: TITANS 15Planetary Annihilation: TITANS Dota 2 35SuperTuxKart 33Stellaris 28Kerbal Space Program 24Factorio 21Terraria 19Stardew Valley 18Dreamfall Chapters 17Arma 3 16Planetary Annihilation: TITANS 15 35332824211918171615 0714212835 Total Votes

When it comes to free games and their updates, it's pretty hard to compete against something from Valve like Dota 2 which had a massive overhaul. I'm still scared to boot the game up and waste an entire day yelling at people, or being yelled at.

Best free game released in 2016 Life Is Strange - Episode 1 181Life Is Strange - Episode 1Warthunder 46WarthunderFaeria 24FaeriaTransmissions: Element 120 19Transmissions: Element 120Raft 13RaftHunger Dungeon 5Hunger DungeonEmpires 3EmpiresSisyphus Reborn 1Sisyphus Reborn Life Is Strange - Episode 1 181Warthunder 46Faeria 24Transmissions: Element 120 19Raft 13Hunger Dungeon 5Empires 3Sisyphus Reborn 1 18146241913531 03774111148185 Total Votes

Some people may feel this is a little unfair, but Life is Strange episode one is a free game and it is very good, even if it is but a taster of what's to come in later episodes.

Most anticipated game for 2017 Civilization VI 94Civilization VIStar Citizen 42Star CitizenYooka-Laylee 39Yooka-LayleeTorment: Tides of Numenera 38Torment: Tides of NumeneraShadow Warrior 2 34Shadow Warrior 2Homefront: The Revolution 13Homefront: The RevolutionStreet Fighter V 12Street Fighter VEvent[0] 11Event[0]Owlboy 10OwlboyAstroneer 10Astroneer Civilization VI 94Star Citizen 42Yooka-Laylee 39Torment: Tides of Numenera 38Shadow Warrior 2 34Homefront: The Revolution 13Street Fighter V 12Event[0] 11Owlboy 10Astroneer 10 94423938341312111010 01938577695 Total Votes

It looks like the most anticipated game will arrive soon!

Best version quality & performance released in 2016 Rocket League 67Rocket LeagueMad Max 53Mad MaxLife is Strange 48Life is StrangeStellaris 28StellarisFactorio 19FactorioShadow Tactics 18Shadow TacticsTotal War: WARHAMMER 18Total War: WARHAMMERTyranny 16TyrannyBallistic Overkill 14Ballistic OverkillSteamWorld Heist 12SteamWorld Heist Rocket League 67Mad Max 53Life is Strange 48Stellaris 28Factorio 19Shadow Tactics 18Total War: WARHAMMER 18Tyranny 16Ballistic Overkill 14SteamWorld Heist 12 67534828191818161412 01428425670 Total Votes

I'm surprised here, since the game was released in a rather unstable state and still to this day has a number of issues. Not my personal choice for the winner, but the people have spoken!

Best audio of a game released in 2016 Life is Strange 69Life is StrangeFirewatch 39FirewatchStellaris 34StellarisUndertale 28UndertaleMad Max 26Mad MaxStardew Valley 22Stardew ValleyDarkest Dungeon 21Darkest DungeonHyper Light Drifter 15Hyper Light DrifterStarbound 12StarboundDevil Daggers 9Devil Daggers Life is Strange 69Firewatch 39Stellaris 34Undertale 28Mad Max 26Stardew Valley 22Darkest Dungeon 21Hyper Light Drifter 15Starbound 12Devil Daggers 9 6939342826222115129 01428425670 Total Votes

I absolutely love the mellow tunes in Life is Strange and I've been guilty of sticking the soundtrack on myself for some background noise, really great stuff.

Favourite FOSS project Wine 87WineMESA 70MESAOpenMW 35OpenMWOBS Studio 31OBS StudioGodot Engine 26Godot EngineDolphin Emulator 25Dolphin EmulatorPlay on Linux 22Play on LinuxScummVM 13ScummVMOpenRA 11OpenRARetroArch 10RetroArch Wine 87MESA 70OpenMW 35OBS Studio 31Godot Engine 26Dolphin Emulator 25Play on Linux 22ScummVM 13OpenRA 11RetroArch 10 87703531262522131110 01836547290 Total Votes

Ever the hot topic of discussion. Talk of Wine always heats up our comments sections when it's mentioned. You have to marvel at it though, as it's really quite amazing. It's the project that enabled me to stay on Linux as much as possible in my early days and kept me going. Now I run this website, so it's my own personal choice too.

Overall best Linux game released in 2016 Rocket League 46Rocket LeagueXCOM 2 43XCOM 2Life is Strange 43Life is StrangeMad Max 38Mad MaxTomb Raider 35Tomb RaiderStellaris 26StellarisMankind Divided 25Mankind DividedStardew Valley 17Stardew ValleyShadow Tactics 11Shadow TacticsFirewatch 10Firewatch Rocket League 46XCOM 2 43Life is Strange 43Mad Max 38Tomb Raider 35Stellaris 26Mankind Divided 25Stardew Valley 17Shadow Tactics 11Firewatch 10 46434338352625171110 01020304050 Total Votes

Quite easily my most played released on Linux from last year. I have over 49 hours in Rocket League now, so I won't even try to debate this one. A fantastic game and seriously fun to play with friends and the wider community!

Best DLC release in 2016 Dying Light - The Following 46Dying Light - The FollowingNatural Disasters 42Natural DisastersThe White March Part II 39The White March Part IIXCOM 2 - Shen's Last Gift 28XCOM 2 - Shen's Last GiftStellaris: Leviathans 23Stellaris: LeviathansArma 3 Apex 19Arma 3 ApexVive La France! 15Vive La France!Sunless Sea: Zubmariner 11Sunless Sea: ZubmarinerEuropa Universalis IV: Rights of Man 10Europa Universalis IV: Rights of ManCall of the Beastmen 8Call of the Beastmen Dying Light - The Following 46Natural Disasters 42The White March Part II 39XCOM 2 - Shen's Last Gift 28Stellaris: Leviathans 23Arma 3 Apex 19Vive La France! 15Sunless Sea: Zubmariner 11Europa Universalis IV: Rights of Man 10Call of the Beastmen 8 4642392823191511108 01020304050 Total Votes

Okay, I won't argue against this one. I'm slowly making my way through The Following myself and I'm finding it to be truly fun. Lots of zombie smashing, an buggy that has a bunch of upgrade options and plenty of open-world to explore. Loving it myself!

Biggest surprise Linux release of 2016 Mankind Divided 154Mankind DividedMad Max 43Mad MaxWarhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II 31Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IIRocket League 31Rocket LeagueLife is Strange 31Life is StrangeTomb Raider 29Tomb RaiderTotal War: WARHAMMER 18Total War: WARHAMMERShadow Tactics 15Shadow TacticsOverlord 15OverlordUndertale 10Undertale Mankind Divided 154Mad Max 43Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II 31Rocket League 31Life is Strange 31Tomb Raider 29Total War: WARHAMMER 18Shadow Tactics 15Overlord 15Undertale 10 154433131312918151510 0316293124155 Total Votes

Speaks for itself. I hope to see more surprises this year.

Favourite Linux game porter of 2016 Feral Interactive 297Feral InteractiveAspyr Media 31Aspyr MediaEthan Lee 22Ethan LeeVirtual Programming 12Virtual ProgrammingRyan Gordon (Icculus) 12Ryan Gordon (Icculus)Cheeseness 7CheesenessKnockout Games 3Knockout GamesTimothee Besset (TTimo) 2Timothee Besset (TTimo) Feral Interactive 297Aspyr Media 31Ethan Lee 22Virtual Programming 12Ryan Gordon (Icculus) 12Cheeseness 7Knockout Games 3Timothee Besset (TTimo) 2 29731221212732 060120180240300 Total Votes

Not really surprising is it? The amount of games Feral Interactive have ported to Linux is quite amazing. They are already teasing their next release too, so 2017 is going to be fun.

Come chat in the comments about how last year went and how you think this year will go! Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
Tags: GOTY
26 Likes
About the author -
author picture
I am the owner of GamingOnLinux. After discovering Linux back in the days of Mandrake in 2003, I constantly came back to check on the progress of Linux until Ubuntu appeared on the scene and it helped me to really love it. You can reach me easily by emailing GamingOnLinux directly. Find me on Mastodon.
See more from me
The comments on this article are closed.
53 comments
Page: «4/6»
  Go to:

Liam Dawe Jan 31, 2017
Quoting: boltronics
Quoting: liamdawepeople get really freaked out over such tiny things. Would love to have so little on my plate to worry about a random zero byte update in a Steam list...
Way to troll your audience mate.
It's called a joke, mate. People get irate about such small things. A zero byte download is nothing to get flustered about, so it pops up and does nothing, so what? Yeah they should fix it, but it's not exactly breaking or harming anything is it? It's so low on their list, they have tons of other stuff to fix.

I get zero byte downloads on plenty of workshop items most days, so what?
scaine Jan 31, 2017
View PC info
  • Contributing Editor
  • Mega Supporter
Quoting: boltronics
Quoting: liamdaweI get plenty of games that do a similar thing
Really? Not that I've heard of or seen. Which ones?

I get this occasionally too - couldn't even tell you what games, I just ignore it. I had two such zero-byte downloads on Sunday just gone, with two "real" updates. It happens occasionally.

As Liam notes, it's odd how worked up folk get over such a things.
boltronics Jan 31, 2017
Quoting: liamdaweIt's called a joke, mate. People get irate about such small things. A zero byte download is nothing to get flustered about, so it pops up and does nothing, so what? Yeah they should fix it, but it's not exactly breaking or harming anything is it? It's so low on their list, they have tons of other stuff to fix.

I get zero byte downloads on plenty of workshop items most days, so what?
You call it a joke, and then go on to explain how it's not a joke. So which is it? Maybe you just call it a joke because you enjoy laughing at people?

I'm opening up Steam all the time when I'm running Wine tests, which I sometimes spend all weekend doing. I used to be able to see immediately what had changed, but now it's not so clear unless I click on Downloads every time. It's particularly annoying because it takes time for it to determine it's a 0kb download, so I basically need to click Downloads maybe a hundred times over the course of a day to check if I'm good to close Steam (or just ignore keeping my prefixes up updated) - yes, I literally have hundreds of Wine prefixes with individual Steam installations for testing. It's not the end of the world, but it's an annoyance. Obviously more for me than for you, but that doesn't make it any less real.

What seems to have been forgotten was that I already explained it was just an example. I gave a second example in a later comment to further illustrate this, which was ignored. Oh well.
boltronics Jan 31, 2017
Quoting: Guest
Quoting: boltronicsI'd love to see Bethesda, Ubisoft or EA test the waters with a GNU/Linux release or two this year. To be fair, Ubisoft already did in late 2015 with Grow Home, but then for 2016 decided not to bother porting the sequel Grow Up (yet, at least). Too bad they didn't try porting a more well known title, and too bad they released the GNU/Linux port so long after Windows, so not exactly a fair test.
And too bad the EULA for Grow Home said "we can install whatever DRM crap we want on your system", which is the reason why I didn’t buy it.

That's a fair point. The game still runs unprivileged, and I have Steam installed under firejail to restrict whatever damage and access Steam has (so it can't see my home directory files, for example). But it doesn't prevent DRM schemes from messing with your ability to reinstall or whatever.
scaine Jan 31, 2017
View PC info
  • Contributing Editor
  • Mega Supporter
Quoting: boltronicsYou call it a joke, and then go on to explain how it's not a joke. So which is it? Maybe you just call it a joke because you enjoy laughing at people?

Really...? Are you seriously comparing poking a bit of fun at us all to a complete lack of respect on Liam's part? Is there no part of you that can accept that a zero byte download in your Steam queue is a /r/firstworldproblem and getting worked up about it is a bit silly?
boltronics Jan 31, 2017
Quoting: scaineReally...? Are you seriously comparing poking a bit of fun at us all to a complete lack of respect on Liam's part? Is there no part of you that can accept that a zero byte download in your Steam queue is a /r/firstworldproblem and getting worked up about it is a bit silly?
"poking a bit of fun at us all" - that's what you call it? I pointed out an obvious bug (clearly so since apparently everyone knows about it) and then pointed out a second recent bug - which I have indicated multiple times were examples. I could list more, but Liam even said himself, "they have tons of other stuff to fix". Not sure why you feel the need to hassle me for this.

As two of the people who run the site, I would expect more professionalism. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and of course I have no objection to Liam and yourself stating that you disagree. But there's no need to belittle other people in doing so. If you can't see how it may look like that's what you're both doing, then perhaps I'm on the wrong website?
scaine Jan 31, 2017
View PC info
  • Contributing Editor
  • Mega Supporter
[quote=boltronics]
Quoting: scaineNot sure why you feel the need to hassle me for this.

You insinuated a lack of respect I didn't agree with. That's not me "hassling" you any more than you were "hassling" Liam in the first place.

Quoting: boltronicsAs two of the people who run the site

Liam owns the site and I support him via Patreon and contribute the odd article, as indeed anyone can. To be clear, if I step out of line, I'll be banned as quickly as anyone else.

As for being "professional", I personally value the discussion that this site provokes and, unlike Steam, or Reddit, that discussion is usually based on respect, with perhaps a few heated exceptions! If you occasionally don't like the tone of a comment, that's not unprofessional, that's opinion, that's real life. Call it out, by all means, if you find it offensive, but it's easy to lose tone and nuance in a comment, easy to assume insult when none was intended. In the three or four years I've dealt with Liam, I've never found him to be the person you're suggesting he is; someone who laughs at other people for kicks.
Ardje Jan 31, 2017
To be clear: any porter is on the top of my most favourite list. Icculus has done so many good ports before it was even a thing. So anyone doing ports, thanks!
Furthermore: I mostly disagree with the lists, but heh, I should have taken the time to help compile the list.
Any game that takes more than 100h of my time is a good game I guess. Rocket League was "bundled" with my controller, and I think I looked at it for 10 minutes. As such I am surprised that no-one had mentioned Saints-Row... Which was definetly the surprise of the year 2016 for me. Alien Isolation, tomb raider, mad max, they were all surprising, but still, the biggest surprise was Saints-Row (early 2016), all others were big and happy surprises, but SR just showed me something has really changed. Deus Ex just was the final confirmation.
There were so many top titles in 2016, I cannot play all of them. Each game needs at least 100h from me to enjoy.
FCE for instance is at 1250 hours, Ark probably more than 100, each of the SR series probably all over 100h.
Man, this has to stop, I also need to work!
scaine Jan 31, 2017
View PC info
  • Contributing Editor
  • Mega Supporter
Quoting: ArdjeFCE for instance is at 1250 hours

Suspect the answer might be obvious but... what's FCE?
boltronics Jan 31, 2017
[quote=scaine]
Quoting: boltronics
Quoting: scaineNot sure why you feel the need to hassle me for this.

You insinuated a lack of respect I didn't agree with. That's not me "hassling" you any more than you were "hassling" Liam in the first place.
From your previous post:
"Really...?"
"Are you seriously"
"Is there no part of you that can accept"
"getting worked up"
"a bit silly?"

I wasn't looking for a debate. You're hassling. It seems you don't even recognize that you're doing it.

We're done here.
While you're here, please consider supporting GamingOnLinux on:

Reward Tiers: Patreon. Plain Donations: PayPal.

This ensures all of our main content remains totally free for everyone! Patreon supporters can also remove all adverts and sponsors! Supporting us helps bring good, fresh content. Without your continued support, we simply could not continue!

You can find even more ways to support us on this dedicated page any time. If you already are, thank you!
The comments on this article are closed.