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Wuthering Waves really, really doesn’t want to run on Steam DeckWhelp, I tried
Whelp, I tried
Image credit:Rock Paper Shotgun
Image credit:Rock Paper Shotgun
Sometimes you gotta know when to fold, and trying to get new hotnessRPGWuthering Wavesto play nice with theSteam Deckhas got me creasing like an origami crane. While its Epic Games Store release can be worked around, andProton GEwill get the game’s own launcher running, no combination of software, compatibility tools, or installation folder deep-diving seems capable of actually booting the game proper.
As such, I’m accepting defeat. Obviously with apologies to any studiousSteam Deck Academyreaders.
It’s literally just that final stage where all the tools and tricks stop working, the launcher’s “Start” button merely looping back to itself after a few seconds of nothing. Reinstalling, switching Proton versions, and keeping the Epic launcher simultaneously running in theSteam Deck’s Desktop Modeall proved inadequate solutions. It’s tempting to have a big “Why! WHY!” tantrum about this – I might have one after this post goes live – but sadly these “just not that into you” situations can still happen with SteamOS, despite the long-running and ongoing efforts of Valve and other game developers to improve compatibility.
One alternative – if you’re not willing to wait for a potential fix, either to Proton or the game itself – is to run the Android version of Wuthering Waves on the Steam Deck usingWaydroid. Youtuber 10 Minute Steam Deck Gamer hasproduced an installation guidefor this tool, which can essentially spoof a full Android system within the Linux-based SteamOS, though be warned it’s a pretty complex process, with plenty of command line action.
Patience might just pay off, though. Think of it this way: now that I’ve publicly admitted I don’t know how to get it working, the probability of someone else managing it within a few hours, humiliating me, must have shot up to something like 97 or 98 percent. You’re welcome.
