I wrote a little essay a few ago about pirating games on SteamDeck, I am not sur it is allowed here. I didn't saw any rules against.
If it is feel free to pm me I will remove my post.
Hope this help other with low budget.
No need get window. You need somes tools though.
From the stock app market (called discover) :
- Transmission
- Lutris
- ProtonUp-QT to install ProtonGE
From GitHub:
- Decky (and the addon SteamGridDB)
On desktop mode.
I download my games as torrent from dodirepack or fitgirl with the software transmission(from stock appshop).
Once I have a game I use Lutris(from stock appshop) to execute the installer.
Install games on :Z Wich is the steals file system.
Then I add the game to steam on desktop mode.
I set the compatibility in the game options mode on proton or protonGE.
And I rename the game to their steamid to be able to search for contrôler config. (Find steam game I'd on the site SteamDB)
In game mode
I then setup images for the games with the addon SteamGridDB installed from Decky (and addon loader for steamdeck)
If I have trouble running game I use protonGE which I installed with ProtonUp-QT (from stock appshop)
Don't have a steam deck, but I do run a pretty similar linux setup on my regular PC.
Great info with a tool I've not seen before, thanks for sharing.
A few further tips:
you can use any other BitTorrent client other than transmission. If you use it on windows, it's likely it'll also be available on linux too. I like Qbittorrent personally.
You likely don't have to use lutris to add the installer. If you already have wine installed, you should just be able to right click the .exe and open it with wine. To help a bit with where to place the game, the Z: drive is your normal linux file system if you want to change install location, which I reccomend to make finding it easier
Always say no to updating or installing directX versions. We don't need them here.
If you have issues like it stopping half way through, try pressing the "limit to 2gb of ram" button.
Of course, check protondb if you find any problems.
Sometimes, like with RE4 adding the game to steam as a "non-steam game" can be a good idea. In steam, it's on the bottom left, a small plus button. No idea on the steam deck how to do that though. You may have to go into properties and force comparability. Of course, do so at your own risk.
Thanks I updated some info.