IronSysAdmin Open Source News Recap: Nearly 90% of Windows Games on Linux, Ubuntu Drops X11, Stranger Things 5

Join Nate for this week’s open-source news recap, covering a major milestone in Linux gaming viability, a significant shift in the Ubuntu display server, and an update on a fan-favorite Netflix show. The episode also reminds listeners about the upcoming DevCon 610 pub crawl and highlights a funding initiative supporting the open and free internet.

Intro & DefCon 610 Announcement

Reminder to mark calendars for the DefCon 610 Pub Crawl and CTF on November 8th at Noon. https://www.meetup.com/defcon610/events/311572906/

Linux Gaming Milestone

New data shows that nearly 90% of Windows games now run on Linux. The viability of gaming on Linux is higher than ever, largely due to the Proton/WINE translation layer. Nate discusses the nuances of game compatibility, including issues with kernel-level anti-cheat.

https://www.tomshardware.com/software/linux/nearly-90-percent-of-windows-games-now-run-on-linux-latest-data-shows-as-windows-10-dies-gaming-on-linux-is-more-viable-than-ever

Ubuntu’s Display Server Shift

Ubuntu 25.10 ships without X11, fully embracing Wayland as the default display server]. This transition has caused some controversy online, though many other distributions like Fedora and Red Hat have already made the move. The host notes that X11 was no longer being well-maintained.

https://thenewstack.io/ubuntu-25-10-scraps-x11-for-wayland-a-solid-step-forward/

Funding the Open Internet

The NLnet Foundation reports on the NGL Zero fund, which is dedicated to furthering the open internet. This grant funded 29 free and open-source projects at every layer of the technology stack, from hardware and infrastructure to web frameworks.

https://nlnet.nl/news/2025/20251016-selection-NGI0CommonsFund.html