After years of users asking, it's happening

Opera GX Gaming Browser is Coming to Linux

A Linux version of Opera GX is in the works, according to a tweet posted to the official X account.

The company announced the plans via a snarky post linking to news article on Microsoft adding an AI sidebar to Windows 11’s file manager, writing: “Is this a good time to announce that we are working on the Linux version of Opera GX?”.

As good a time as any, I’d say.

Opera GX: What is It?

Opera GX is a gaming-centric version of the regular Opera web browser that pairs the web with a variety of gaming related extras, like Razer Chroma integration, a Discord/Twitch sidebar, gaming release calendar and “built-in limiters for CPU, RAM and Network usage”.

It has other features too, like a free VPN, built-in content blocking tools, a variety of themes and design customisation options, a ‘force dark mode’ option, background music, keyboard sounds and even a choice of shaders to apply over web content.

All very “extra”.

Opera GX launched on Windows in 2019, with a macOS version following a few months later. Linux users have seen nary a peep, despite plenty of user requests for a Linux port.

To some, the lack of a Tux port felt a snub. After all, the regular Opera browser is available for Linux (and has been for decades, weathering company ownership and backend changes).

But with gaming on Linux in rude health, and derision and antipathy around Windows as a platform at an all-time high, it’s no surprise to the company is changing tack.

It certainly isn’t the only one.

Opera GX for Linux Release Date

No word yet on precisely when Opera GX for Linux will be released (even just for testing) beyond ‘Q1’, nor any indication on how many of its unique features/gimmicks will feature in the port.

I’d expect Opera GX’s panic mode, split tabs, tab islands and Gemini-based AI features to make it over.

But things like GX Control to restrict browser resources, or its (rather neat) Razer Chroma lighting effects may prove trickier to pull off given such variance in distributions, packaging formats, and sandbox and security safeguards.

That a port of Opera GX is now being ‘worked on’ is, of itself, an encouraging sign for Linux as a whole.

Yeah, but is it though?

Oh I know. Some will say Linux doesn’t need another browser, and maybe it doesn’t need one – but users may want one. I’ve said many times before, a lack of options puts more people off using Linux than seeing options they don’t plan to use.

Most of us chose Linux because we can run what we want, even if that’s Steam, Spotify, or other closed-source software that would make a FOSS purist itch.

If Opera GX adds to that, we’re no worse off for it.

Plus, it brings more attention to the platform in press coverage which may tempt a few weary Windows users to try an operating system that doesn’t see them as an exploitable resource. Need to not, I’m not going to get uppity about that.

More details as/when I hear them, but if you hear anything before I do and feel people should know, feel free to send a tip via the contact form.

via Neowin