How to Get GOG Galaxy on Linux

GOG Galaxy has become a major force in PC gaming. GOG’s (originally known as Good Old Games) store has become an unlikely success by offering PC games free of DRM, no strings attached. Even though GOG’s library contains a fair amount of Linux titles, the Galaxy client still hasn’t found its way to the open source operating system, at least not officially. Through the use of emulation software like Wine and Lutris, however, you can absolutely install GOG Galaxy on Linux and access your favorite titles.

Before you start this guide, install the latest NVIDIA or AMD drivers on your system.

Install Wine Staging

Wine is the popular compatibility layer that translates Windows applications for Linux and Mac systems. The Staging branch of Wine contains the latest patches and features that haven’t made their way into the mainstream version of Wine yet. Lutris, which you’ll be using to install GOG Galaxy, requires Wine Staging to run. That’s why the first step here is getting Staging installed.

Ubuntu Linux

Open a terminal window.
Enable support for 32bit applications on your system with the following command.
```
$ sudo dpkg --add-architecture i386
```
Change directories to your Downloads folder.
```
$ cd ~/Downloads
```

Download the signing key for the Wine repository.

$ wget -nc https://dl.winehq.org/wine-builds/winehq.key

Now, import that key with the Apt package manager.
```
$ sudo apt-key add winehq.key
```
You’re also going to need to add the Wine repository to your system. Replace “focal” with the version of Ubuntu that you’re running.
```
$ sudo apt-add-repository ‘deb https://dl.winehq.org/wine-builds/ubuntu/ focal main’
```
Update your repositories to make the new Wine one available.
```
$ sudo apt update
```
Now, install Wine Staging along with all the recommended packages.
```
$ sudo apt install --install-recommends winehq-staging
```
There will be quite a few additional packages installed. Don’t worry. Wine does need them. Just accept and wait a few seconds while they install.

Debian Linux

Open a terminal window.
Start by enabling 32bit software support on your system.
```
$ sudo dpkg --add-architecture i386
```
toChange directories into your Downloads folder.
```
$ cd ~/Downloads
```

Now, download the signing key for the Wine repository.

$ wget -nc https://dl.winehq.org/wine-builds/winehq.key

Import your new key into the Apt package manager.
```
$ sudo apt-key add winehq.key
```
Next, you’re going to need to add a new repository file for the Wine repository. Open your text editor with ‘sudo' and create your file at /etc/apt/sources.list.d/wine.list.
```
$ sudo vim /etc/apt/sources.list.d/wine.list
```
You’re going to need to place the configuration for the Wine repository in the file. It looks something like this:
```
deb https://dl.winehq.org/wine-builds/debian/ buster main
```
Replace ‘buster’ with the Debian version that you’re running. Save the file and exit.
Update your repositories to make the new one available.
```
$ sudo apt update
```
You’re ready to install Wine Staging along with the recommended packages. This install will probably take a few minutes because Wine has a lot of dependencies.
```
$ sudo apt install --install-recommends winehq-staging
```
When the installation is complete, Wine will be ready to use on your system.

Fedora Linux

Open a terminal window.
You can easily add the Wine repository to Fedora through the DNF package manager. Run the following command. Replace the version number “32” in this case with the version of Fedora that you’re running.
```
$ sudo dnf config-manager –add-repo https://dl.winehq.org/wine-builds/fedora/32/winehq.repo
```
You can install Wine Staging normally now.
```
$ sudo dnf install winehq-staging
```

Arch Linux

Open a terminal.
Wine Staging is in the main Arch Linux repositories. Install it with Pacman.
```
# pacman -S wine-staging
```
As an Arch user, you’re probably well aware that the version of Wine in Arch’s repositories will be kept up-to-date regularly.

Install Lutris

Lutris is the next piece of this puzzle. If you aren’t already familiar with it, Lutris is an open source game manager for Linux. It makes installing and managing games a breeze. The biggest selling point for Lutris is its ability to simply and efficiently install Windows games with Wine. There’s no configuration, tweaking, or nonsense settings. It provides graphical installers that anyone can use.

Ubuntu Linux

Open a terminal again.
Run the command below to add the Lurtris PPA to your system.
```
$ sudo add-apt-repository ppa:lutris-team/lutris
```
Update your repositories to add the new Lutris one.
```
$ sudo apt update
```
Now, install Lutris.
```
$ sudo apt install lutris
```
Lutris is now installed and added to your system. You’ll receive regular updates straight from the developers.

Debian Linux

Open another terminal window.
Change directories in to your Downloads folder, if you ever left.
```
$ cd ~/Downloads
```

Download the signing key for the Lutris repository.

$ wget https://download.opensuse.org/repositories/home:/strycore/Debian_10.0/Release.key

Import this key into your system too.
```
$ sudo apt-key add Release.key
```
Like before, you need to create a file for the Lutris repository. Use ‘sudo’ and your text editor to create a file at /etc/apt/sources.list.d/lutris.list
```
$ sudo vim /etc/apt/sources.list.d/lutris.list
```
Place the following line in the file to add your repository.
```
deb http://download.opensuse.org/repositories/home:/strycore/Debian_10.0/ ./
```
Save and exit the file.
Update Apt again to add the new repository.
```
$ sudo apt update
```
Finally, you can go ahead and install Lutris.
```
$ sudo apt install lutris
```
With the Lutris repository on your system, you’ll continue to get updates as they’re released

Fedora Linux

Open a terminal window.
Lutris is actually available in the default Fedora repositories. Simply install it with DNF.
```
$ sudo dnf install lutris
```
As long as Lutris remains in the regular Fedora repositories, you’ll continue to get regular updates.

Arch Linux

Open a new terminal.
Lutris is in the Arch Linux repositories. Install it with Pacman.
```
# pacman -S lutris
```
It’s Arch. You can always expect to have the latest version of Lutris.

Install GOG Galaxy

You have all the pieces. It might seem like a ton of work to go through to get GOG Galaxy, but you’ve actually opened the door to way more possibilities by setting up Wine and Lutris. With this combination, you can install and run tons of Windows games on your Linux PC without any additional setup or configuration.

Open your browser, and head over to the Lutris page for GOG Galaxy.
Find Install at the lower right corner of the image slideshow on the page. Select it.
Your browser will prompt you, asking which program you want to use to open the file. Select Lutris.
Lutris will open a window asking if you want to continue with the install. Agree.
Lutris will then ask where you want to install GOG Galaxy to. The default is usually the best choice. Install.
The installer will run and set up GOG Galaxy. There really isn't much you need to do here.
After the install is complete, you'll be asked if you want to create launcher shortcuts. That part's up to you.
Back on the Lutris home screen, select the GOG Galaxy tile to launch it.
GOG Galaxy will open up, and you can sign in or create an account.
Keep an eye out for future updates. Lutris scripts are updated regularly, as are versions of Wine. These can bring some serious improvements.