In the 2015 Open Source Yearbook I looked at the best open source games. This year, with the continuing growth of Linux gaming, I’ve rounded up the top Linux games on Steam. On an average day, some of these games are played by almost a million players. I included both free and non-free games on my list.

Dota 2

By far the most-played game on Steam is Dota 2. At times, Dota 2 reaches close to a million concurrent online players. This action and strategy game originates from a Warcraft 3 modification. Players can select from hundreds of heroes, to team up and “battle their Dire counterparts to control a gorgeous fantasy landscape, waging campaigns of cunning, stealth, and outright warfare.” Dota 2 is free to play, and exclusively available on Steam.

^{Dota 2 screenshot by Colony of Gamers. CC BY-NC 2.0}

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive

The classic first-person shooter Counter-Strike game was launched 14 years ago and is now touted as the “world’s #1 online action game”. Counter-Strike: Global Offensive has since seen many updates, such as new maps, characters, and weapons, based on the classic Counter-Strike. Counter-Strike: Global Offensive is available on Steam for US$ 14.99. Bundle pricing is also available.

Team Fortress 2

Team Fortress 2 is a multi-player action game, developed by Valve, creator of Steam. Team Fortress 2 has seen more than 400 updates in the past six years, and continues to be updated with new game modes, maps, and more. Team Fortress 2 is available on Steam and is free to play.

^{Team Fortress 2 screenshot by Terry Robinson. CC BY-NC 2.0}

ARK: Survival Evolved

ARK: Survival Evolved is an action-filled role playing game that will put you through lots of adventure—from survival, to riding dinosaurs. “As a man or woman stranded naked, freezing and starving on a mysterious island, you must hunt, harvest, craft items, grow crops, and build shelters to survive,” the site explains. ARK: Survival Evolved is available on Steam (Early Access) for US$ 29.99.

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