Diablo 4 on Steam Deck; Here's How to Do It
It turns out that Diablo 4 beta can also be launched on Steam Deck, although the game will not formally come out on that platform. A guide explaining how this can be done has appeared online.
A few days ago marked the launch of early access to open beta testing of the highly anticipated Diablo IV. PC and console players who pre-ordered the game can still roam the gloomy dungeons of Sanctuary until 9 p.m. CET. At the same time it turns out that the game can be run not only on those platforms on which the new Diablo will officially be released.
All it takes is a little fiddling, to fire up Diablo 4 on Steam Deck. Liam Dawe from GamingOnLinux has published a tutorial on his YouTube channel, in which he shows the entire process (below).
Diablo 4 on Steam Deck - tutorial
The video takes the viewer step by step through all the necessary action, although they may seem a bit tedious. The same process works for PCs with Linux OS.
If you don't want to watch the whole material, we have listed the steps for you in points.
- Switch to Desktop mode (Steam - Power - Switch to Desktop button).
- 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". When finished, close ProtonUp-Qt.
- Inside Steam: click "Add game" in the lower left corner, select "Add game from outside Steam" and click "Browse".
- Go to the "Downloads" folder, select "All files" from the bottom, and then select the "Battle.net-Setup.exe" file.
- Once added, look for the Battle.net installer shortcut in Steam. Right-click -> "Properties" -> "Compatibility" -> "Check the box" and select "GE-Proton7-51-diablo_4_beta".
- Now run and install it. After installing it, close it, do not log in.
- Right-click on the shortcut again, go to "Properties", press "Browse" and update the shortcut to point to "Battle.net Launcher.exe". Its 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 last created ID) /pfs/drive_c/Program Files (x86)/Battle.net/.
This will give you a configured Battle.net, which you can launch using Steam. After launching, it is possible that you may need to invoke the on-screen keyboard. Once logged into Battle.net, it will be possible to download and launch Diablo IV.
Please note that the game may not run as optimally as on dedicated platforms and it is worth mentally preparing for "crashes". However, if you want to have access to the Diablo 4 beta in handheld version, this is an ideal opportunity.
If you don't have time to test it right away, don't worry. On March 24 the open beta will start, which all interested parties will be able to play.
The actual release of Diablo 4 is scheduled for June 6, this year. The game will hit PC, PS5, PS4, XSX/S and XOne.
If you want to know more about the game, read our guides:
