# Gaming Configuration Context

## Technology Overview
Steam Tinker Launch (STL) provides advanced configuration options for running Windows games on Linux through Steam's Proton compatibility layer. This directory contains configurations, scripts, and documentation for gaming setups.

## Key Components

### Steam Tinker Launch (STL)
- **Purpose**: Advanced Proton configuration and game-specific tweaks
- **Config Location**: `~/.config/steamtinkerlaunch/`
- **Game Configs**: `~/.config/steamtinkerlaunch/gamecfgs/`
- **Global Settings**: `~/.config/steamtinkerlaunch/global.conf`

### Ready or Not Specific
- **Game ID**: 1144200
- **Engine**: Unreal Engine 4
- **Anti-Cheat**: EasyAntiCheat (requires `-noeac` for modifications)
- **Common Issues**: Menu freezes, audio crackling, GPU compatibility

## Hardware Considerations

### NVIDIA GPU Optimizations
- **NVAPI Support**: Enable for DLSS compatibility
- **DXVK vs VKD3D**: Prefer DXVK for better NVIDIA performance
- **GameScope**: Use with proper display settings
- **Ray Tracing**: Available with compatible Proton versions

### Monitor Setup Considerations
- **Resolution Scaling**: Configure GameScope for proper scaling
- **Refresh Rate**: Match native monitor capabilities
- **HDR Support**: Enable if hardware supports it

## Configuration Patterns

### Performance Settings
```bash
# Essential performance settings
USEGAMEMODERUN="1"          # Enable GameMode
USEPROTON="GE-Proton10-11"  # Use latest GE-Proton
DXVK_ASYNC="1"              # Async shader compilation
DXVK_HDR="1"                # HDR support for compatible setups
```

### Audio Configuration
```bash
# Audio crackling fixes
CHANGE_PULSE_LATENCY="1"
STL_PULSE_LATENCY_MSEC="120"
```

### GameScope Settings
```bash
# Display configuration template
USEGAMESCOPE="1"
GAMESCOPE_ARGS="-W [width] -H [height] -r [refresh_rate] -f --immediate-flips --rt --mangoapp --force-grab-cursor --"
```

## Directory Structure
```
/gaming/
├── CONTEXT.md              # This file - technology overview
├── troubleshooting.md      # Error handling and debugging
├── examples/               # Working configurations and templates
│   ├── ready-or-not/      # Ready or Not specific configs
│   └── nvidia-optimized/  # NVIDIA-specific game configs
└── scripts/               # Gaming automation scripts
    ├── CONTEXT.md         # Script-specific documentation
    └── steam-helpers/     # Steam and STL helper scripts
```

## Best Practices

### Configuration Management
- Keep per-game configs in `examples/[game-name]/`
- Document hardware-specific settings clearly
- Test one setting at a time when troubleshooting
- Backup working configurations before changes

### Performance Optimization
- Start with GE-Proton for best compatibility
- Enable GameMode for CPU scheduling
- Use GameScope for resolution/scaling control
- Monitor GPU usage with MangoHUD

### Troubleshooting Approach
1. Verify base Proton compatibility
2. Test without STL modifications first
3. Add settings incrementally
4. Document working combinations
5. Check hardware-specific requirements

## Integration Points
- **Monitoring**: Use MangoHUD for performance metrics
- **Scripts**: Automate common gaming tasks
- **Networking**: Configure for multiplayer gaming