It was Slackware... Back in the late 90s. Do not ask me about how kid me managed that, all I recall is endless terminals, kernel panics and eventually getting a desktop through some arcane means I can't remember.

I didn't return to linux for many years after that experience.

I still have the 1996 edition of Slackware Linux Unleashed and the CD in my bookshelf as a reminder.

I don't want to talk about other peoples experiences when it comes to games and graphics drivers on linux. I can just mention my own experiences with it. As a disclaimer I have used linux for years, just not as my main desktop.

Graphics drivers I have not had any issue with, they've been pretty plug and play. Games I've found can be a bit hit and miss, most will just work fine right away through proton or wine while others can require a bit of tweaking and troubleshooting to get running properly. I have yet to run into a game that just would not run at all however, but that could also just be that the games that wouldn't run are ones that didn't interest me already.

"Turn off the light when you leave a room." has always struck me as very misguided. You probably should still do that to save on your electricity bill. But I am a night owl and I like going outside to bike or walk. The number of businesses I walk or bike past that leave their lights on all night is just ridiculous.