I want to get started with VR gaming in Linux and am looking at a headset. What are you guys using? Oculus 3 seems to be popular but I assume there are some caveats.
Check out the Linux VR Adventures wiki: https://lvra.gitlab.io/docs/hardware/ it has lots of useful info
But in general, best supported are:
- Quest headsets via either the
SteamVR+ALVR, orMonado+WiVRnstreaming solutions - Most lighthouse headsets like the OG Vive, Valve Index, etc, with either SteamVR or Monado. however there are some caveats on some newer ones (Bigscreen beyond needs a kernel patch for amd, does not work on nvidia until they do some driver support bits for exapmle)
Also for wired headsets, SteamVR on linux is kinda broken and does not do proper reprojection, so the view will be stuttery, Monado is remommended instead.
- Quest headsets via either the
I have a HTC Vice pro that I’ve been using with arch for about a year now. I have occasional issues with some vr ported games jut every native vr game I’ve tried runs great.
No problems with the built in headphones? I can’t get them to sound right… there seems to be some sort of samplerate shift as soon as I start SteamVR with my HTC Vive Pro.
I’ve had problems with the headphones on one or two games, but I used proton tricks to install xact_64 and its solved them for the most part.
Hmm, that doesn’t sound like my issue. As soon as I turn on SteamVR the sound goes haywire. I can still use other headphones fine without any issue, but the built in ones have distorted sound with SteamVR running (but not when I turn that off).
The best three brands with natively-supported hardware:
- HTC’s Vive series headsets
- Bigscreen’s Beyond
- Valve’s Index
Pretty much everything else requires a lot more tinkering than just launching SteamVR/OpenVR applications.
Some helpful links for diagnosing compatibility:
Yeah, Occulus and Linux are not the best friends. There are some work arounds to make it somewhat work with SteamVR, but don’t expect too much.
My recommendation would be to look for a second hand Valve Index or HTC Vive if using it on Linux is your priority.
Or wait for the rumored new standalone headset from Valve, but that will probably not happen before end of 2025 if at all.
Index works mostly fine. Sometimes it drops out but my Bluetooth stack hasn’t been the most stable on this install. Arch btw.
I did grab the PSVR2 PC adapter box and it does work to get a display showing in the headset as another monitor which is pretty sweet. But the PSVR2 app on steam just straight up doesn’t work in any form of compatibility mode I’ve been able to try so it’s no dice there.
Ah, I was hoping to hear about experiences with the PSVR2 on Linux. Too bad it doesn’t fully work yet. But that it is only a problem with the app might mean Monado support is possible.
Yeah the box shows up as a monitor in the system display settings, can even enable it and use it like a normal display. The headset will do the spatial tracking and you can recenter with the headset button. It’s just small and low resolution so you can’t even use it for productivity. Until the app works, no games at all.
I have an OG Vive, it works fine. I have more issues wrestling with the flatpak version of steam’s steamVR components than with the actual hardware
With Oculus you will have to use ALVR. It is a two-part software with a client running on the headset and a server running as a SteamVR plugin on your PC. Setup used to be a pain in the arse but it’s gotten better. But it’s still Alpha software so things might break down the line.
Don’t expect every game to work. I tried both Batman VR (older one) and 7th Guest and they didn’t work. But most of the other games do work.
The good thing about the Meta Quest headsets is that they also work without a PC. The bad thing is that you’re at the mercy of Meta. My Quest 1 is still working quite well but no longer gets any OS updates. Normal Android stuff. Maybe the Pico 4 (or whatever their current one is) is better with that. No idea.
That said, I love the standalone headsets because you don’t have to fight with a cable with them. It’s great, especially if you have the space for room scale VR.
In terms of VR modded games they might not work on Linux. I don’t know about those Unreal games but at least Alien Isolation’s VR mod cannot work on Linux unfortunately.
Don’t expect to get any official support.
