To ensure games run well on Linux either via Native Linux builds or Windows games with Proton, part of the magic is in the Steam Linux Runtime. A new version of it, the Steam Linux Runtime 4.0 was recently put up with some pretty big changes.
What’s the point of it? It ensures Steam and games run through Steam on Linux work properly across all the many different Linux distributions. Another secret Valve sauce for Linux. Well, not secret at all but you get my meaning I’m sure.
i usually avoid flatpaks, especially with steam. but every now and then my non-flatpak steam borks too and won’t launch on mint. 9 times out of 10 simple reboot helps, but sometimes it requires a reinstall…