How to Install and Use Lutris on Arch Linux

Introduction

Gaming on Linux has made remarkable progress over the past decade, thanks to tools like Proton, Wine, DXVK, and most notably, Lutris. Lutris is an open-source gaming platform that simplifies running games on Linux, including native games, Windows titles via Wine, and emulators. It acts as a central hub for managing all your games, regardless of their platform.

If you’re using Arch Linux, you’re likely comfortable with a bit of manual configuration. However, Lutris streamlines a lot of the complexity typically associated with gaming on Linux. In this article, we’ll explore how to install Lutris on Arch Linux, configure it properly, and use it to launch and manage your favorite games.

What is Lutris?

Lutris is a gaming platform for Linux that allows you to install, configure, and launch games from a unified interface. It supports:

• Native Linux games
• Windows games using Wine
• Steam (both native and Proton)
• Emulators (e.g., RetroArch, Dolphin, PCSX2)
• Web games
• DOS games using DOSBox

Lutris integrates with Wine, Vulkan/DXVK, and other compatibility tools to provide a smooth gaming experience. It also supports scripting installers that automatically configure games for you, taking much of the guesswork out of running games on Linux.

Prerequisites

Before installing Lutris, make sure your Arch Linux system is up-to-date and has a working graphics stack:

1. Update the system

sudo pacman -Syu

2. Install graphics drivers

For AMD GPUs (using open-source drivers):

sudo pacman -S mesa lib32-mesa vulkan-radeon lib32-vulkan-radeon

For NVIDIA GPUs (proprietary drivers):

sudo pacman -S nvidia nvidia-utils lib32-nvidia-utils

For Intel GPUs:

sudo pacman -S mesa lib32-mesa vulkan-intel lib32-vulkan-intel

Verify Vulkan installation:

vulkaninfo | less

If you don’t have vulkaninfo, install it:

sudo pacman -S vulkan-tools

Step 1: Installing Lutris

Lutris is available in the official Arch repositories, making installation straightforward.

sudo pacman -S lutris

This installs Lutris along with its dependencies. You can launch it from your application menu or run:

lutris

Tip: To install the latest Git version, use an AUR helper like yay:

yay -S lutris-git

Step 2: Installing Wine and Dependencies

While Lutris installs Wine automatically when needed, it’s a good idea to set it up manually to avoid potential issues.

Install Wine (64-bit and 32-bit support):

sudo pacman -S wine wine-gecko wine-mono

Install 32-bit libraries for compatibility:

sudo pacman -S lib32-gnutls lib32-libldap lib32-mpg123 lib32-openal lib32-v4l-utils lib32-libpulse lib32-alsa-plugins lib32-libxcomposite lib32-libxinerama lib32-ncurses lib32-libxml2 lib32-freetype2 lib32-libpng lib32-sdl2

You may also want to install winetricks:

sudo pacman -S winetricks

Step 3: Installing DXVK and Other Runners

Lutris makes use of DXVK (Direct3D to Vulkan), VKD3D (DirectX 12 to Vulkan), and other tools to run Windows games smoothly.

Install DXVK and dependencies:

sudo pacman -S dxvk-bin

Lutris will often install and manage DXVK automatically for specific games. However, installing it system-wide can be helpful for custom Wine setups.

Step 4: Setting Up Lutris

Once installed, launch Lutris. The main interface will appear, initially empty. Before adding games, it’s a good idea to configure some settings:

1. Connect your Lutris account

• Sign up at https://lutris.net
• Log in through the Lutris client (top-right corner)
• This enables you to download community-made installation scripts

2. Enable runners

Go to Preferences → Runners, and toggle the ones you want (Wine, Steam, etc.). Install missing runners via the “Manage versions” button.

3. Add Game Directories

In Preferences → Game directories, you can define where your games and configurations are stored. Customize these to suit your file structure.

Step 5: Installing a Game with Lutris

You can install a game using a Lutris script or manually.

A. Using a Lutris Script (Recommended)

Visit https://lutris.net/games and search for the game you want to install.

For example, to install League of Legends:

1. Search for the game on the Lutris site.
2. Click the game, and choose a script (usually the one with the most upvotes).
3. Click Install — this will open Lutris on your system.
4. Follow the guided installation process.

Lutris will:

• Install the necessary Wine version
• Configure Wine prefix
• Install DXVK or other dependencies
• Download and install the game

B. Manual Installation

If no script is available or you want full control:

1. Click the + icon → Add a new game

2. Fill in:

   • Name
   • Runner (e.g., Wine)
   • Executable path (to the game’s .exe)
   • Wine prefix (optional)

3. Under Game options, set the executable path and working directory

4. Under Runner options, configure Wine version, DXVK/VKD3D, etc.

5. Save and launch the game

Step 6: Managing and Running Games

Once installed, games appear in the Lutris interface. Right-clicking a game provides options to:

• Configure
• Run
• Show logs
• Enable/disable DXVK
• Set environment variables

Common Tweaks

• Use esync/fsync for improved performance
• Set virtual desktop in Wine if a game has resolution issues
• Adjust winecfg to tweak DLL overrides, graphics settings, etc.

Step 7: Installing Epic Games, GOG, and Battle.net

Lutris supports launchers like:

• Epic Games Store
• GOG Galaxy
• Ubisoft Connect
• Battle.net

Installation is similar to any other game — find the launcher on the Lutris website, install it via script, and then install your games within the launcher.

Step 8: Integrating Steam with Lutris

While Steam has its own Proton compatibility layer, Lutris can manage Steam versions for consistency:

• Enable Steam in Lutris preferences
• Add Steam games manually or let Lutris import them
• Use a custom Wine version instead of Proton if desired

This is especially useful if Proton doesn’t work well for a game, and you want to apply Lutris tweaks.

Troubleshooting Tips

Game Won’t Launch

• Check the logs (right-click game → Show logs)
• Verify Wine prefix is properly configured
• Try a different Wine version
• Update GPU drivers and DXVK

Poor Performance

• Enable DXVK/VKD3D
• Use fsync/esync if supported
• Disable compositor in desktop environment
• Run in fullscreen mode

Audio Issues

• Make sure lib32-alsa-plugins, lib32-libpulse, and other sound libraries are installed
• Adjust Wine audio settings with winecfg

Conclusion

Lutris is an invaluable tool for any Linux gamer. On Arch Linux, with its rolling-release nature and flexibility, Lutris integrates beautifully to manage a diverse gaming library, from native Linux games to complex Windows titles and retro emulators.

By combining Lutris with tools like Wine, DXVK, and Vulkan, you can achieve near-native performance on many popular titles. With an active community and a growing library of scripts, Lutris removes much of the friction historically associated with gaming on Linux.

Whether you’re a casual gamer or a hardcore enthusiast, Lutris is a must-have for turning your Arch Linux system into a powerful gaming platform.

Helpful Links:

• Lutris Official Website
• Lutris GitHub
• WineHQ
• DXVK GitHub