gamescope

Run a program with gamescope on the terminal

$ gamescope -- [program]

$ gamescope -- %command%

$ gamescope [[-h|--nested-height]] 720 [[-H|--output-height]] 1440 [[-S|--scaler]] integer -- %command%

$ gamescope [[-r|--nested-refresh]] 30 -- %command%

$ gamescope [[-e|--steam]] -- /usr/bin/steam -tenfoot

$ gamescope [[-O|--prefer-output]] [HDMI-A-1,DP-3,...] -- [program]

$ <Super f>

$ gamescope --help

gamescope [options] -- command [arguments...]

-w <width>, -h <height>
    Sets the target resolution for the application's rendering within Gamescope.

-W <window-width>, -H <window-height>
    Sets the resolution of the Gamescope window itself when not running fullscreen.

-f
    Runs Gamescope in fullscreen mode, utilizing the entire display.

-F <framerate>
    Sets a fixed output framerate for Gamescope. Use 'max' for uncapped framerates.

-s <scale-factor>
    Applies a fractional scaling factor to the rendered content (e.g., '0.5' for 2x upscaling).

-i
    Enables integer scaling, useful for pixel-perfect presentation of retro games or pixel art.

--fsr-sharpness <0-10>
    Adjusts the sharpness level for FSR-like upscaling, where 0 is soft and 10 is sharp.

--max-fps <fps>
    Caps the maximum frames per second that the launched application can render.

--rt
    Attempts to run Gamescope processes with real-time scheduling priority for reduced latency.

--output <name>
    Specifies the display output (e.g., DP-1, HDMI-A-1) Gamescope should use.

--allow-tearing
    Allows tearing when VRR is active, which can further reduce latency at the cost of visual artifacts.

--steam
    Enables specific integration features and optimizations for the Steam client and games.

Gamescope is a Wayland compositor developed by Valve, primarily designed for running games and graphical applications with optimal performance and features. It acts as a nested compositor, launching applications within its own Wayland or Xwayland environment. Gamescope offers advanced features like fixed framerate capping, variable refresh rate (VRR) support, low-latency presentation, and various scaling algorithms including AMD FSR-like upscaling and integer scaling.

Originally developed for the Steam Deck and SteamOS 3, it aims to provide a consistent and high-performance gaming experience by managing display output directly. It can run on a direct rendering manager (DRM) backend, bypassing a full desktop environment, or within an existing Wayland session. Its focus on efficiency and control over the display pipeline makes it ideal for dedicated gaming systems, offering benefits like tear-free rendering and precise framerate control, even on displays without native VRR support through its VRR emulation capabilities.

Gamescope is primarily designed for running single applications, not as a full desktop environment replacement. It requires either a direct rendering manager (DRM) backend (commonly used on console-like systems such as the Steam Deck) or an existing Wayland compositor to function. While it supports Xwayland for X11 applications, some complex X11 features or global hotkeys might behave unexpectedly. Advanced features like HDR or specific VRR modes may depend on underlying driver support and display capabilities. Troubleshooting can sometimes involve checking Wayland logs or DRM configuration.

Gamescope stands out with several advanced capabilities:
VRR Emulation: It can emulate Variable Refresh Rate behavior even on displays that do not natively support VRR, by dynamically adjusting the output refresh rate to match the game's framerate.
Low Latency: Designed with a streamlined rendering path to minimize input lag and provide a responsive gaming experience.
Xwayland Integration: Seamlessly runs traditional X11 applications by providing its own embedded Xwayland server, ensuring wide compatibility.
Direct DRM Backend: Capable of running directly on the Direct Rendering Manager (DRM) without a full desktop environment, offering maximum control over the display pipeline.

Gamescope was developed by Valve Corporation, primarily as a core component for their Steam Deck handheld gaming PC and the SteamOS 3 operating system. Its inception was driven by the need for a highly optimized, low-latency, and feature-rich display compositor specifically tailored for gaming workloads on Linux.

It leverages modern Linux graphics technologies, including Wayland and direct DRM access, to ensure efficient resource utilization and a direct path to the display hardware. Since its public release and integration into SteamOS, it has gained traction among Linux gamers and developers for its performance benefits and unique scaling capabilities, becoming a crucial part of the Proton compatibility layer's display pipeline.

wayland(7), xorg(7), mesa(7), sway(1), gnome-shell(1), kwin_wayland(1), steam(1)