Table of Contents
How to play Elder Scrolls on Linux
WIP
So you are a member of the penguin cult but want to play Todd's vision? That's great because in some form or another that's possible but not always easy. This guide will show you how to run all the worthwhile games in the series as best as possible! Obviously this is based on my own personal testing so if you did things differently and are happy with how things turned out don't fuck around with your install and just enjoy the game!
If you want to know what distribution to use it really doesn't matter. If your distro can install games with Steam Proton it'll work! However if you're new to Linux and want a recommendation start with Linux Mint. It'll have all the drivers you could ever need to do anything in this guide!
Native ports
Daggerfall and Morrowind have native linux ports thanks to their Open Source Engine ports. Simply install the game via Steam or GOG and install the source port via your favorite method!
| Daggerfall | Unity port of Daggerfall. Adds mod support and is widely considered to be the definitive version of the game. DOSBox would work too if you want a more “authentic vanilla experience” but this is the version most people play. Modding is as simple as dropping files into a mods folder. |
| Morrowind | OpenGL port of Morrowind |
WINE and Steam Proton
While all the games in this guide that are already on steam are able to be installed through Steam Proton (AKA WINE with better compatibility) not all of them are best played that way. For increased modding compatibility different versions work for different games. Please consult the other sections of this guide for notes on the specific game you want to play! If you can't set up a KVM for whatever reason and want to play Skyrim or Oblivion you can find an installer for Mod Organizer 2 here
| Elder Scrolls Online | While I haven't tried it myself, ESO seems to work on Steam Proton with some minor issues with text input on controller. Mod support should work fine but I have not tested myself. If you want to play a better Elder Scrolls game check out TES3MP which allows you to play Morrowind and it's mods with friends! |
Emulation
As with anything linux: if you already have to emulate it, it'll work as good if not better! While WINE and Steam Proton are technically emulation this section focuses on the emulation beyond Windows. Anything running on DOSBox should work just the same as it does on Windows.
| Arena | Arena already runs through DOSBox so an installation from Steam or GOG should just work! Mod support has always been limited but there's no reason mods for this game shouldn't already work the same out of the box! |
| Battlespire | Battlespire already runs through DOSBox so an installation from Steam or GOG should just work! Mod support has always been limited but there's no reason mods for this game shouldn't already work the same out of the box! |
| Redguard | Redguard already runs through DOSBox so an installation from Steam or GOG should just work! Mod support has always been limited but there's no reason mods for this game shouldn't already work the same out of the box! It should be noted that Redguard has a source port in the works with limited functionality. If you're interested the project is linked here |
| Shadowkey | Shadowkey is the hidden gem of the series that has always been a pain in the ass to play. Originally released for the goat.se taco phone the Nokia N-Gage. Linked is a full guide on UESP on how to set up the emulator EKA2L1. There is also a source port of Shadowkey being worked on linked here. There was also a remake mod for Morrowind in the works at some point but it was cancelled some years back. |
| Blades and Castles | If you have some sick interest in Blades and Castles but don't want to install them on your phone, here is a list of Android emulators. Waydroid looks like the most promising, but I've never fucked with Android emulation on linux. Both these games are vastly outpaced by popular fan games in the series. Those interested in Castles should consider Elder Kings II specifically! |
Popular Fan Games
While there are likely other TES fan games these are the ones I know of and have personally tried!
| Elder Kings II | A popular Crusader Kings III mod set in the 2nd Era Tamriel! The game should work with the Linux port but if you're having issues consider checking Steam Proton compatibility mode! |
| Struggle for the Iliac Bay | A popular Mount and Blade Warband mod set during the events of Daggerfall and acting as a sort of spiritual remake on Daggerfall. The game should work with the Linux port but if you're having issues consider checking Steam Proton compatibility mode! |
| Arktwend | Best played by installing through OpenMW! This is the first in the SureAI game series set in their own fantasy setting while using the mechanics and assets of the Elder Scrolls franchise. This game is based on Morrowind and has crossover compatibility with mods for that game! |
| Nehrim | Best played through Steam Proton! This is the second in the SureAI game series set in their own fantasy setting while using the mechanics and assets of the Elder Scrolls franchise. This game is based on Oblivion and has crossover compatibility with mods for that game! |
| Enderal | Best played through Steam Proton! This is the third in the SureAI game series set in their own fantasy setting while using the mechanics and assets of the Elder Scrolls franchise. This game is based on Skyrim and has crossover compatibility with mods for that game! |
| Starwind - A Star Wars Conversion | Best played by installing through OpenMW! Another total conversion of Morrowind set in the KOTOR setting of the Star Wars galaxy. Best described as the Star Wars Bethesda game we never got! Should work without issues thanks to OpenMW |
Kernel Level Virtual Machines
AKA the nuclear option. If you want to play Oblivion or Skyrim with the highest level of mod compatibility and stability they both work on KVMs. Some experienced linux users might even ask what a KVM is. A Kernel Level Virtual Machine is an emulator that is running at the highest level of efficiency and can even be tricked into not knowing it's running in an emulator. These KVMs can run games with perfect compatibility and minimal performance cost while not using Windows as a daily driver! What's the catch? You need an integrated GPU, a regular GPU, patience and time. The whole process is a pain in the ass and can lead to many headaches. Here's a guide by Mental Outlaw that is the best guide I've found for the process. I would also check out Looking Glass for viewing your virtual desktop easily. You should probably consider Steam Proton and WINE before resorting to this option!
| Oblivion | Judging by Skyrim's temperamental modding compatibility when run through Proton I would recommend anyone play Oblivion instead through a KVM. Experimentation is key however and the superior windows compatibility of Steam Proton may increase the issues Oblivion tends to have on modern systems. |
| Skyrim | Skyrim can work on Steam Proton with MO2 but it breaks with the little things. Some mods will just crash the game with no way of finding out why. At the end of the day a KVM is a one time headache while Proton creates a never ending headache for Modding Skyrim. If you use modpacks however you'll be better off using Steam Proton! |
Unplayable Games
Games that can't be played for one reason or another. The same goes for Windows versions for that matter.
| Stormhold/Dawnguard/Oblivion(shit version) | While these games can be emulated through some wizardry I couldn't find a specific guide on how to do so. These games also aren't good so I'm not sure what sick fascination would drive someone to play these. |
| Legends | Due to the servers being shut down it is no longer possible to play Elder Scrolls Legends. I have linked to a cutscene compilation because the story of the game went kinda hard! Check it out if you have the time! |