For more than a decade, ARM architecture has quietly dominated mobile computing while remaining largely absent from mainstream PC gaming. Smartphones, tablets, embedded systems, and increasingly data centers embraced ARM for its efficiency and scalability, but gaming workloads—particularly PC gaming—remained firmly tied to x86 hardware.
That boundary is now eroding.
Canonical’s release of a Steam Snap for Ubuntu ARM64, bundled with the FEX emulator, marks one of the most consequential developments yet for Linux gaming on ARM. It signals not only technical progress, but also a strategic shift in how the Linux ecosystem approaches software compatibility, performance portability, and gaming accessibility.
This is not merely a new package. It is an architectural bridge between two computing worlds that were never designed to coexist.
Why ARM Gaming Has Always Been Complicated
PC gaming evolved alongside x86 CPUs. Game engines, middleware, DRM systems, graphics drivers, and performance optimizations were all built with x86 assumptions baked deeply into their code. Even Linux-native games often rely on x86-specific instructions or toolchains.
ARM, by contrast, optimized for power efficiency, parallel workloads, and mobile-first use cases. While modern ARM CPUs are extraordinarily powerful, the lack of native software ecosystems—not raw performance—has been the primary obstacle.
Until recently, running PC games on ARM meant:
• Native ARM builds that were rare
• Heavy translation layers with poor performance
• Limited driver support
• Fragmented distribution methods
Canonical’s approach changes that equation.
Steam Snap on ARM64: What Canonical Actually Built
Canonical engineers have assembled a Steam Snap package specifically targeting 64-bit ARM systems, designed to run seamlessly on Ubuntu ARM64 installations. The most critical component bundled inside this Snap is FEX, an open-source x86 and x86_64 emulator.
FEX is not a basic instruction translator. It is a sophisticated dynamic binary translation layer designed for high-performance workloads, particularly gaming. Importantly, Valve sponsors FEX development, signaling confidence in its role as a future compatibility solution.
By packaging Steam and FEX together, Canonical eliminates several traditional pain points:
• Manual emulator setup
• Dependency mismatches
• Architecture-specific configuration errors
• Fragmented runtime environments
For the end user, the experience resembles installing Steam on a conventional x86 Linux machine—except it runs on ARM hardware.
Why Snap Matters in This Context
Snap packaging is often debated within the Linux community, but in this case, it solves a fundamental problem: environment consistency.
Gaming stacks are notoriously complex. Steam relies on:
• Specific runtime libraries
• Graphics drivers
• Compatibility layers like Proton
• Precise system paths
On ARM, these complexities multiply. Snap isolates Steam, FEX, and graphics components into a predictable containerized environment while still allowing access to GPU acceleration.
Canonical also released an ARM64 version of gaming-graphics-core24, ensuring consistent OpenGL and Vulkan support across ARM platforms.
This is a pragmatic engineering decision—not an ideological one.
FEX: The Silent Hero Behind ARM Gaming
FEX (Fast x86 Emulator) deserves special attention. Unlike traditional emulators that prioritize correctness over speed, FEX is optimized for real-time workloads like games.
Key characteristics of FEX include:
• Dynamic recompilation from x86 to ARM64
• Intelligent caching of translated code
• Minimal overhead for CPU-bound workloads
• Integration-friendly design for Linux systems
The same emulator is being adopted by Valve for future ARM-based Steam hardware, including Snapdragon-powered devices. Canonical’s alignment with this ecosystem ensures Ubuntu remains a first-class citizen in ARM gaming.
This is not experimental tech—it is production-grade infrastructure.
Testing on NVIDIA DGX Spark: Why That Matters
Most early testing of the Steam Snap ARM64 has been performed on the NVIDIA DGX Spark, a powerful ARM-based system paired with NVIDIA’s 580-series proprietary drivers.
This choice is important for two reasons.
First, it demonstrates that ARM gaming is no longer limited to low-power devices. High-performance ARM systems are already viable.
Second, it confirms that proprietary GPU drivers, long considered a barrier for ARM Linux gaming, can integrate effectively with emulated x86 game workloads.
Canonical is not targeting hobbyists alone. This solution scales from developers to enterprises to workstation-class hardware.
Real Games, Real Performance
Early testers have successfully run demanding titles such as:
Cyberpunk 2077
Counter-Strike 2
Dota 2
Marvel Cosmic Invasion
These are not lightweight demos. Cyberpunk 2077 in particular stresses CPU translation, GPU throughput, memory bandwidth, and system latency.
While performance does not yet match native x86 systems at equivalent price points, reports indicate playable frame rates and stable operation—an achievement that would have been unthinkable on ARM Linux just a few years ago.
This validates the entire approach.
What This Means for Linux Gaming as a Whole
Linux gaming has always struggled with fragmentation. Different distributions, kernels, drivers, and package managers created barriers that discouraged developers and players alike.
Canonical’s Steam Snap ARM64 reduces fragmentation by providing:
• A standardized distribution method
• Architecture-agnostic compatibility
• Predictable runtime behavior
• Easier troubleshooting
For developers, it means fewer platform-specific edge cases. For users, it means fewer reasons to dual-boot Windows.
This aligns closely with Valve’s long-term goal of making Linux a first-class gaming platform—regardless of CPU architecture.
ARM PCs Are Coming Faster Than Expected
With Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X-series, NVIDIA’s Grace platform, Apple’s success with Apple Silicon, and increasing ARM adoption in servers, ARM PCs are no longer hypothetical.
Canonical’s move positions Ubuntu ahead of the curve.
When ARM laptops and desktops become mainstream, users will expect their existing software—especially games—to work. Waiting for native ports is not realistic. Compatibility layers are essential.
Canonical is building that future now.
Beyond Gaming: Broader Implications
While gaming is the headline, the implications extend further.
• x86 productivity software can run on ARM Linux
• Legacy enterprise applications gain new life
• Developers can test ARM compatibility without recompiling
• Data centers can consolidate workloads across architectures
Steam is simply the most visible proof of concept.
Challenges Still Ahead
This is not a finished story.
There are still hurdles:
• Performance overhead in CPU-heavy games
• Anti-cheat compatibility issues
• Variability in GPU driver maturity
• Power efficiency trade-offs
However, none of these are fundamental blockers. They are optimization problems—and optimization is something the Linux ecosystem excels at when incentives align.
A Quiet but Historic Release
Canonical did not launch this with flashy marketing or keynote announcements. It emerged quietly through testing, engineering collaboration, and open-source iteration.
That makes it more important, not less.
Major shifts in computing rarely arrive with fireworks. They arrive with infrastructure.
Conclusion: ARM Gaming Just Became Real
Canonical’s Steam Snap for Ubuntu ARM64 is more than a convenience feature. It is a declaration that ARM belongs in the PC gaming conversation.
By combining Snap packaging, FEX emulation, and modern GPU support, Canonical has delivered a practical, scalable solution to a problem long considered unsolvable.
The future of Linux gaming will not be defined by architecture wars—but by compatibility, performance, and user experience.
And for the first time, ARM is no longer on the outside looking in.
FAQs
1. What is the Steam Snap for ARM64?
It is a Snap package that allows Steam to run on Ubuntu ARM64 systems.
2. How does it run x86 games on ARM?
It uses the FEX emulator to translate x86 instructions to ARM64.
3. Who develops FEX?
FEX is an open-source project sponsored by Valve.
4. Is performance playable?
Yes, many modern games run at playable frame rates.
5. Does this require special hardware?
No, but performance improves with strong GPUs and drivers.
6. Is this officially supported by Valve?
Valve sponsors FEX but Steam ARM64 is currently community-driven.
7. What GPUs work best?
NVIDIA GPUs with proprietary drivers currently show strong results.
8. Does anti-cheat work?
Some anti-cheat systems may still cause issues.
9. Is this better than running Windows ARM?
For Linux users, this offers tighter system integration.
10. What does this mean for ARM PCs?
It significantly improves ARM’s viability as a desktop platform.