OP, FYI: GPU passthrough isn't riskless (OpSec-wise), unfortunately. This Hacker News thread contains pointers if you'd wish to read up on that.

I just use a different user with no privileges to run any pirated or suspicious software.

I'm running everything that is proprietary (Steam for example) on a second user that is a not an admin account. Heroic and the like are installed via Flatpak that is sandboxed. Sometimes games contain malware, even on Steam. If something goes badly wrong, I purge that second user.

QubesOS? :D

If piratded games have malicious files its most likely for windows users, you can install repacks on Linux very easily though.

First of all, don't expose yourself to danger. Get your pirated games from reputable sources.

Most games only need a Steam emulator like Goldberg's to run without license, and you can get clean steam files from cs.rin.ru. You don't need VMs for this, it's literally the original game.

If you need an actual crack, you can also look up on cs.rin.ru and try to gauge the reputation of the uploader. You can also check fitgirl or dodirepacks, they are both highly reliable. These are unlikely to have malware, but it's not impossible.

If you want to use a vm because you still don't trust the pirated game in question (reasonable), then there is no shortcut. Use the arch wiki to learn how to setup a VM with GPU passthrough, even if you don't use arch it's always a good place to get started.

you can with GPU passthrough. not a simple process though, and not all hardware supports it.

plus you need a dedicated gpu for the VM.

tldr: use firejail. I already answered in your other thread: https://feddit.org/comment/13927222

You know you can cross-post so it shows up as cross-posted in other communities? You just need to hit that "copy" button once you posted the first one.

I'd have answered here instead of !piracy if I had seen that it's a crosspost.

Quit thinking as a windows user now you are on Linux.

You running a pirated game with proton? Or looking to run windows inside Linux?

In any case run the game offline, disconnect the PC from internet and you should be safe.

What? It's an on line game? It's a game that need internet access to run? Then what are you complaining about? There is nothing you can do to be "safe".

Anyway running a windows game on linux with wine or proton should be safe enough from most of the possible threats (environment is too different). Running in a VM would be a serious hit on performances even if you use qemu+KVM (forget about virtual box) with all drivers set to passtrough and you give up your video card on Linux and pass it to windows

At that point, you are again at risk because e you are again running windows ...

Define your threat at least. That would make a response easier

My guess you are overthinking stuff.