Games are a key area of the computing world. Linus Torvalds blames Sir Clives' failure to really allow games on the QL for the demise of Sinclair computers.
Games often push technological limits for speed and processing, and business versions of the hardware are usually devised from that type of research.
You are absolutley correct in your statement that gamers should be looked after. I don't play many, but I still like a kill everything in site for stress relief, or a good game of chess when life is just a little too hard. It's a huge market. Do your part and buy Linux games, and encourage those who write them to produce more, or learn the trade and do it yourself. A change in career for you.