Unveiling the secrets to embarking on an exhilarating journey through Diablo IV on the extraordinary Steam Deck is our mission. Behold, we present you with an enchanting guide on how to effortlessly install Battle.Net on the captivating SteamOS platform.
Hurray! The highly anticipated arrival of Diablo IV (or Diablo 4, if you like) means we can once again embark on thrilling adventures in the mystical realm of Sanctuary.
Undoubtedly, if you have preordered the Ultimate Edition or Digital Deluxe Edition, you must have been engrossed in immersing yourself into the game world since June 2nd.
But can you play Diablo IV on Steam Deck?
Based on our previous encounters during the closed and open beta phases in March, the resounding response is affirmative. However, the journey to achieve this feat is quite intricate. Despite Diablo IV’s exclusive compatibility with Windows, the remarkable power of Proton enables us to successfully launch it on the remarkable Steam Deck.
Initially, let’s embark on the installation of the Battle.Net launcher on SteamOS. To smoothly carry out this task, I recommend connecting a mouse and keyboard to your Steam Deck. Alternatively, you can install Steam Link on your PC and utilize it to establish a remote connection with your Deck.
Input: So, on to getting things working on your Steam Deck…Now, let’s dive into the realm of getting things up and running on your marvelous Steam Deck…
How to install Battle.net on Steam Deck and SteamOS
Input: If you’re more inclined towards watching a video rather than relying on a written guide, we’ve got an alternative approach (although our guide below varies, neither option is inherently superior) for installing Diablo IV on your Steam Deck, courtesy of our buddy Bill from NerdNest:.
Input: Navigate to desktop mode on your Steam Deck by pressing the Steam button, followed by selecting Power and then choosing the option to Switch to Desktop. Allow your Deck to restart patiently.
Afterwards, launch your preferred web browser and navigate to the Blizzard download page (or simply conduct a Google search), where you can acquire the Windows installer.
Now, it’s time to incorporate the .Exe file you just downloaded into Steam. Start by launching the desktop Steam application, head over to the Library section, and spot the small plus sign nestled in the bottom left corner. Give it a gentle click and select the option to Add a Non-Steam Game. To find the downloaded file, embark on a journey through your downloads folder by clicking on the Browse button. Make your way to the home/deck/Downloads path and gracefully place the Battle.Net installer file amidst the Steam collection. Oh, and don’t forget to unveil all the hidden treasures by selecting All Files under the File type section, in case the installer tries to play hide and seek.
Head over to your recently added item in the Steam Library, which might have a name like Battle.Net-Setup.Exe. Rather than launching it right away, click on the cog wheel symbol and select Properties. In the Compatibility tab, activate the option to enforce the utilization of a particular Steam Play compatibility tool. In the beta phase, it was crucial to opt for either GE-Proton 7.51 or Proton Experimental. Refer to our comprehensive guide for guidance on installing GE-Proton. However, it appears that now it functions smoothly even without pre-selecting a compatibility layer.
Click the Play button to initiate the installer, embark on the unique journey of following the various steps, and patiently await its completion. Once the installation process concludes, feel free to eliminate the Battle.Net-Setup.Exe file from Steam once more. Simply right-click on it, proceed to Manage, and smoothly remove the non-Steam game from your library.
Afterwards, our aim is to incorporate the installed launcher into Steam. Within Desktop Steam, proceed to Library, and in the bottom left corner, simply tap on the plus symbol, followed by selecting Add a Non-Steam Game…. Presently, our task is to locate the file. Click on Browse and navigate through the folder structure to reach the designated folder: home/deck/.Local/share/Steam/steamapps/compatdata/. Remember to display All Files under File type: if you encounter any difficulty in locating the installer.
Explore and find the most recently added folder in the “DATE MODIFIED” section. Look for a folder name consisting of a 10-character long number. Once located, navigate to the subsequent directory: pfx/drive_c/Program Files (x86)/Battle.Net. Within this directory, choose the Battle.Net Launcher.Exe file. Incorporate this file into Steam. In case you cannot locate it, ensure that you have selected “All Files” as the file type.
Input: Before initiating the launch, divert your attention towards the captivating cog wheel icon. From there, delve into the realm of Properties… And within the realm of Compatibility, gracefully toggle the option of compelling the utilization of a specific Steam Play compatibility tool, reminiscent of our actions in the fourth step.
Whew! At long last, our task is complete. It’s time to initiate Battle.Net. Should you desire to personalize the visuals, I suggest perusing the subsequent manual, ensuring to give the non-Steam game we’ve included a fresh name.
To opt for game installation on the microSD rather than the internal storage, an additional step is required—thus, remain on the SteamOS Desktop.
How to install Battle.net games on the Steam Deck microSD card
Head over to the newly introduced launcher mentioned earlier, give the cog wheel icon a tap, then select Properties… And include the following in the LAUNCH OPTIONS section: STEAM_COMPAT_MOUNTS=/run/media/mmcblk0p1/ %command%.
Begin by launching Dolphin, a mesmerizing file explorer that will guide you through the mystical realm of your microSD card. As you embark on this digital quest, venture into the depths and create a sacred sanctuary, where your Battle.Net games shall thrive and conquer.
As you embark on Battle.Net and prepare to install a game, remember to explore the realm of Install Location suggested by Battle.Net. Amidst a myriad of drive letters, seek out the beacon of the freshly forged folder. In my personal journey, it manifested as the mighty E:. Henceforth, unleash the torrent of games you desire, and let them flourish.
Alright, all systems are a go — it’s time to embark on the installation of Diablo IV, seeking moments of portable adventure that will transcend from dawn till dusk.
How to install and run Diablo IV on Steam Deck
Once you’ve diligently followed the Battle.Net guide provided, it’s time to embark on your next step—launching the Battle.Net application and smoothly sailing towards the coveted Diablo IV installation page.
Get your hands on the game and remember to modify your route if you prefer installing it on a microSD card.
Give the D-Pad a gentle tap while waiting in line, and watch as the game acknowledges the controller of the magnificent Steam Deck.
