It would be easier if the Zorin package (.deb) from Steam could be found in gnome software manager as well as the Flatpak version under "steam" instead of "steam installer". New users who have not read the help page on gaming under Zorin beforehand quickly overlook the fact that there is a native package format from steam because it does not appear in the selection.
It would also simplify many things if the Zorin packages were at the first position of the package format selection so that they are set as default when you don't change it.
Also, since there are so often problems with flatpaks due to missing permissions, some kind of pop-up that appears when a user wants to install a flatpak would be helpful. It could, for example, contain a hint to install Flatseal as well in order to grant the required permissions for file access. Perhaps even the question of whether flatseal should be installed now could be added.
I'm not sure if this "Steam Installer" actually downloads the latest version; is that the case? Otherwise, I think it might be better to provide instructions to use the one from the web.
All I did, was install the Flatpak version offered in the software store. Initially Steam launched ok, subsequent launches were app crashes. Someone on the forum taught me to create a desktop shortcut, that allows me to execute the program launch in terminal, which launches the GUI app without crash to desktop.
I had a popup like this in mind:
"Note: Flatpaks are installed isolated from your system. To grant the flatpak program access to system or user files, you should install flatseal to set the required permissions.
Do you want to install flatseal now? Enter y(yes) or n(no): "
Or it could be preinstalled and part of Zorin guide/tour, if flatpaks continue to be the preferred installation method in the software store, because so many new users have problems with permissions.
If I remember right, steam auto-updates itself on the first launch, so while the package likely doesn't have the latest version, you do get it as soon as you open it
Maybe the Zorin devs should consider adding clearer, more straightforward messages during the Steam Flatpak installation process. It would really help if users got an immediate heads-up that additional permissions need to be configured. Right now, a lot of people get stuck or confused because they don’t realize they have to manually adjust access settings after installing. A simple popup or notification explaining this would save a ton of time and frustration, especially for those who aren’t super familiar with Flatpak’s permission model. It’s a small change, but it could make the whole experience way smoother for new users.
The flatpak installer of Steam, and my own ignorance, definitely caused me some headaches. Not knowing the difference between a flatpak and a hole in the ground, and having everything else I downloaded work as expected, led me to assume some kind of driver/hardware/kernel shenanigans were afoot when my Steam games failed to launch or launched and couldn't find my GPU. If I weren't so annoyed with Microsoft asking over $100 for spyware and coming from a long time ago when troubleshooting computers was an expected thing (what's my sound card's IRQ again?), I might have assumed Steam on Linux just sucked and given up. A pop-up or description explaining that Steam in flatpak form needs some "massaging" would likely help with retaining gamers new to Linux/Zorin.
Since many users play games on Zorin and install Steam for this purpose, it might be an idea to create a dedicated menu item for it in the Zorin start menu, similar to the one for Windows App Support. This could then lead directly to the Steam installer or directly install the Steam .deb package -ideally accompanied by instructions on how to enable Windows games on Steam Play. Maybe there could also be the choice offered wheather steam, lutris or heroic game launcher shall be installed. I don't know how many people use the other ones.
Gaming is not going away, gaming is a lucrative industry, and has never been bigger then it is today! I don't think it would hurt the Zorin brother's to be a little bit more gaming focused.
Yes its true that, POP OS tends to be the gamers Linux OS, but it doesn't have to be the only one. The easier you make an OS, to help newbies setup their gaming, the more Zorin OS users you will have. Pure, simple, fact.
Totally agree that gaming is a huge part of the desktop experience these days. At the same time, it’s important not to overload the system with “gamer-centric” stuff for users who picked Zorin for other reasons. A good middle ground might be some kind of optional “Gaming Setup Wizard” that appears on first boot.
That way, people who care about gaming get guided setup right away, and everyone else keeps a clean, lightweight system. Feels like the best of both worlds.
Zab