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Here's how to run Diablo 4 on Steam Deck

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Diablo 4 is currently in Beta and due to launch soon, so here's how to get it working on Steam Deck. The same steps can be used to get it working on Linux desktop too. Update: You can also use the NonSteamLaunchers script I covered here that does a lot of the work for you.

You can see the video here, with the text guide below it:

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Text Guide

  • Go into Desktop Mode (Steam button - Power - Switch to Desktop).
  • Download the Battle.net launcher in your web browser (Chrome / Firefox etc).
  • Download ProtonUp-Qt from the Discover app.
  • Inside ProtonUp-Qt, download the new "GE-Proton7-51-diablo_4_beta". Once done, close ProtonUp-Qt.
  • Inside Steam: hit Add A Game in the bottom left, select Add a non-Steam Game and hit Browse.
  • Go into your Downloads folder in the file browser, select All Files from the bottom and then select the "Battle.net-Setup.exe" file.
  • Once added, search for the Battle.Net installer shortcut in Steam. Right click -> Properties -> Compatibility -> Tick the box and select GE-Proton7-51-diablo_4_beta.
  • Now run it and install it. Once installed, close it, do not login.
  • Right click on the shortcut again, go to Properties, hit Browse and update the shortcut to point to the "Battle.net Launcher.exe". It's location will depend on where you installed it.
    • SD Card: /run/media/mmcblk0p1/Battle.net/
    • SSD: /home/deck/.steam/root/steamapps/compatdata/ (then find the most recently created id) /pfx/drive_c/Program Files (x86)/Battle.net/

Now you will have Battle.Net set up and you can launch it in Gaming Mode, in the Non-Steam section of your Steam Library. You may need to manually bring up the on-screen keyboard with STEAM + X, and you can use a mouse cursor by holding the STEAM button and using the Right Trackpad with Right Trigger as a mouse button.

The Battle.Net UI is cut off, but if you click about along the top of it, the app will flicker into focus giving you the install buttons at the bottom.

After that, you're free to install and run Diablo 4. If you get a GPU error message, just hit OK and it will run.


This is just one possible way to do it. You could also use Lutris to install Battle.Net but I personally prefer on Steam Deck specifically to keep everything inside Steam if I can.

Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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I am the owner of GamingOnLinux. After discovering Linux back in the days of Mandrake in 2003, I constantly came back to check on the progress of Linux until Ubuntu appeared on the scene and it helped me to really love it. You can reach me easily by emailing GamingOnLinux directly. Find me on Mastodon.
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22 comments
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whizse Mar 22, 2023
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  • Supporter
Quoting: TheRiddickDon't be surprised if Blizzard starts banning Linux/SD users...
They really don't like any work arounds what so ever with their games.
They'll of cause probably wait until final release to start pissing people off with bans.
Counterpoint:
https://www.gamingonlinux.com/2022/09/blizzard-may-not-support-steam-deck-linux-but-they-still-fix-issues-for-it/
TheRiddick Mar 22, 2023
Quoting: whizseCounterpoint:
https://www.gamingonlinux.com/2022/09/blizzard-may-not-support-steam-deck-linux-but-they-still-fix-issues-for-it/

Counterpoint: Free micro-transaction based game don't count!

Last I checked, D4 won't be free. So there is a monetary incentive to ban peoples accounts for ANY reason what so ever!
BinaryOutlook Mar 23, 2023
You can change the target to be the game exe and add the following arguments to direct launch once you have signed in to the launcher:
-bypassgpudrivercheck -launch -sso
whizse Mar 24, 2023
View PC info
  • Supporter
The cruel torments of hell:

AciD Mar 24, 2023
Quoting: whizseThe cruel torments of hell:


For a solo game, that's precious :D
Sorry I meant for an MMO that's usual >:|
Jarmer Mar 24, 2023
Thank you very much for this article! It was super helpful getting it installed. I'm downloading it now, but I'm sure I'll just hit a massive queue.
Cyril Mar 25, 2023
Quoting: Theodis
Quoting: Mountain ManYou're thinking of Diablo Immortal, which is your typical exploitive "free to play" mobile game ("Do you guys not have phones?"). Diablo IV is a proper PC game. They're going to offer cosmetic items, but there's not going to be any "pay to win" nonsense.

Once more extreme lines are crossed the previous lines don't seem so bad by comparison, but even cosmetic items used to not be tolerated in proper PC games, that was also for those free to play games. I have no doubt they'll keep pushing the line of what is acceptable and go further.

For Diablo IV I don't think so. I may be wrong, but I don't see them adding cosmetic items or similar things.
Don't forget that for Diablo III there was a shop where you could buy/sell in-game items with real money.
The players did get angry and they removed it.
We'll see what Diablo IV will be though...


Last edited by Cyril on 25 March 2023 at 11:25 am UTC
Mountain Man Mar 26, 2023
Quoting: Cyril
Quoting: Theodis
Quoting: Mountain ManYou're thinking of Diablo Immortal, which is your typical exploitive "free to play" mobile game ("Do you guys not have phones?"). Diablo IV is a proper PC game. They're going to offer cosmetic items, but there's not going to be any "pay to win" nonsense.

Once more extreme lines are crossed the previous lines don't seem so bad by comparison, but even cosmetic items used to not be tolerated in proper PC games, that was also for those free to play games. I have no doubt they'll keep pushing the line of what is acceptable and go further.

For Diablo IV I don't think so. I may be wrong, but I don't see them adding cosmetic items or similar things.
Don't forget that for Diablo III there was a shop where you could buy/sell in-game items with real money.
The players did get angry and they removed it.
We'll see what Diablo IV will be though...

The Diablo III auction house was for players to sell items to each other and not for Blizzard to sell items to players. Unofficial Diablo II auction houses were extremely popular but also a haven for scammers, so Blizzard thought an official auction house would protect players. I honestly don't know why people were so upset about it since it was entirely optional, but it was controversial nonetheless, so they took out.

Diablo IV, they have said that the item shop will be for cosmetic items only
Jarmer Mar 27, 2023
Any other people running the beta D4 on linux? I'm on Manjaro, and running it through the listed methods in this article, and when it's running, it works great! BUT it's crashing a ton. So much so that I can't even complete longer dungeons really. It crashes the entire steam app. I have to open steam and restart, requeue, etc... Not sure if thats because of the methods listed here, or it's the GE proton version, or if it's the beta of the game itself.
Mountain Man Mar 27, 2023
Quoting: JarmerAny other people running the beta D4 on linux? I'm on Manjaro, and running it through the listed methods in this article, and when it's running, it works great! BUT it's crashing a ton. So much so that I can't even complete longer dungeons really. It crashes the entire steam app. I have to open steam and restart, requeue, etc... Not sure if thats because of the methods listed here, or it's the GE proton version, or if it's the beta of the game itself.
I played through Steam using the Proton experimental branch and had zero problems with performance or stability.
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