Linux Gaming @lemmy.ml LoboAureo @lemm.ee 5 mo. ago

Install a demo from steam (steamdeck and desktop)

Hi, all

How do you install a demo from steam, i have strugling both in steamdeck and mint.

Currently to test some games in desktop i have the work around of install under windows (the library is shared between linux and windows steams).

But in steamdeck i dont have a microsd with windows.

Thanks

8 comments

I'm not sure I understand your problem. Installing demos in Steam works exactly like installing any other game in Steam. Click the install button, and then launch the demo. What's causing you trouble?

The part about the SD card I don't understand either. Are you trying to access your Windows installation from your Steam Deck? What are you "testing"? Whether you like the game? Or whether it works on Linux?
- When i try to install an error message appears because there is no version of the game for my SO. https://i.imgur.com/0bVY5la.png
  
  The part about the SD card, its becouse i can start in windows in the desktop and install from there the demo, but i don't have this option from the steamdeck
Just go to the store page of a game that has a demo, and tap/click "Download" where it says download demo.

You mention "the library is shared between Linux and windows", which is concerning.

If you are mounting an NTFS windows partition inside Linux so you don't have to redownload your games, that won't work.

Running games installed onto an NTFS partition is really fiddly on Linux, and steam WILL break things when you try to run games installed on linux in windows, and vice versa.
- When i click in download, it said that there is no version for my OS as i can't assign a compatibility layer beforehand.
  
  https://i.imgur.com/0bVY5la.png <-- sorry for the Spanish
  
  I'm running the same game library for the games, alongside other HD in NTFS, for about a year and until now, no problems.
  
  You need to set a default compatibility tool for games that don't have one. I don't remember exactly where to find it and don't have access to look right now, but it's not really hidden in the settings menu.
  
  You need to enable proton for all games. It's in Settings>Compatibility.
  
  NTFS doesn't support the permission structure used by linux, so while it can work, when set up correctly, your system has to do a bunch of extra processing on top.
  
  Not to mention that both NTFS modules available, take a performance penalty in general.
  
  Ext4 also handles defragmentation much better.

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