Sometimes I have to set audio to ALSA with protontricks in order for a game to launch or have sound. I think it has something to do with the number of audio channels I have. With other audio interfaces with only two channels it doesn’t seem to be an issue but I thought my ALSA/JACK combo was solid but I also only played native games back then so I’m not sure if it would have been an issue then. Pulse took me a while too be comfortable with but for the most part I’m happy with it now. I held out for so long and waited for other audio producers to give it a green light before I switched.

BTW, I’m not trying to fight you on this. Just sharing my experience with someone who understands the struggle.