NVIDIA GeForce NOW Adds Linux Beta with RTX Support

On January 29, 2026, NVIDIA launched a beta version of the GeForce NOW app for Linux PCs, marking a major expansion of its cloud gaming service to the open-source operating system. This update allows Linux users to stream high-end PC games with full RTX features, including ray tracing and DLSS, without needing powerful local hardware.

The new GeForce NOW Linux beta app supports streaming at up to 4K resolution with 120 FPS, leveraging NVIDIA's RTX GPUs in the cloud. Key features include hardware-accelerated decoding via VA-API on Linux, low-latency networking optimized for Proton/Wine compatibility, and seamless integration with Steam, Epic Games Store, and Ubisoft Connect. Users report average input lag under 30ms on gigabit connections, making it viable for competitive titles.

RTX enhancements shine in newly added games. For instance, Cairn, launching today on PC, utilizes RTX 5080-ready ray-traced global illumination and path tracing for its realistic mountain-climbing simulation. Similarly, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 delivers RTX-powered reflections and shadows, now accessible via Game Pass on GeForce NOW.

• The Midnight Walkers (Steam, Jan 28 release, RTX 5080-ready zombie survival)
• Cairn (Steam, Jan 29 release, RTX climbing sim)
• Prototype (Ubisoft Connect, re-release Jan 29)
• Prototype 2 (Ubisoft Connect, re-release Jan 29)
• Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 (Xbox Game Pass, RTX-ready)
• Half Sword (Steam, Jan 30 medieval combat)
• Vampires: Bloodlord Rising (Steam, Jan 30 vampire RPG)
• The Bard’s Tale Trilogy (Steam/Xbox, classic RPGs)
• The Bard’s Tale IV: Director’s Cut (Steam/Xbox, enhanced RPG)
• Total War: Three Kingdoms (Epic Games Store, strategy epic)

These additions cater to diverse tastes, from fresh Early Access launches to remastered classics. NVIDIA highlights RTX 5080 readiness for new releases, ensuring future-proof performance as Blackwell GPUs roll out.

GeForce NOW's Linux support arrives amid surging Linux adoption in gaming, driven by Steam Deck and anti-cheat improvements. With Proton enabling 95% Steam compatibility, cloud streaming fills gaps for users on older hardware. This beta positions NVIDIA against competitors like Boosteroid and Shadow PC, especially for Steam Deck owners cross-playing on desktops.

January 2026 has seen a flurry of PC releases aligning with this update. Quarantine Zone: The Last Check (Jan 12), Cassette Boy (Jan 14), and MIO: Memories in Orbit (Jan 20) from release calendars now streamable on Linux via GeForce NOW. Upcoming Code Vein 2 (Jan 30) promises RTX blood effects, amplifying the service's appeal.

GeForce NOW has grown to over 100 million users since 2015, with RTX 40-series priority tiers offering 240 FPS at 4K. The Linux beta follows Android TV and ChromeOS expansions. NVIDIA teases Delta Force arrival on February 3, plus RTX 50-series optimizations.

For setup, Linux users download the beta from NVIDIA's site, requiring an Ultimate or Performance membership ($20/month). Early testers praise stability on Ubuntu 24.04 and Fedora, though ARM support lags. This launch cements GeForce NOW as essential for RTX PC gaming on non-Windows platforms.

Developers benefit too: cloud testing accelerates Linux ports, vital as Steam Deck 2 rumors swirl. With Xbox hardware slumping 32%, cloud services like this bolster Microsoft's Game Pass strategy.