http://bugs.winehq.org/show_bug.cgi?id=23517
Summary: Steam: cannot have set-ups for games that steam does not also run with Product: Wine Version: 1.2-rc5 Platform: x86 URL: http://store.steampowered.com/ OS/Version: Linux Status: UNCONFIRMED Severity: major Priority: P1 Component: -unknown AssignedTo: wine-bugs@winehq.org ReportedBy: 1337swordman@gmail.com
The problem is that steam will not run with certain simulating modes that are needed to fix up the games e.g. some games may require simulation mode to be windows 98. As the latest version of steam does support 98 and requires you to upgrade systems you cannot run the game.
One possible way to fix it may be when/if steam is released for Linux. A wine developer could ask valve for the integration of wine into steam. Not only would it mean Linux users could run steam games that are windows only it means more games are going to be bought from steam benefiting both. Of course if such a thing is done there will need to be a good integration of the wine tab which will show how compatible wine is with the game.