Hello, fellow gaming enthusiasts! I’m thrilled to be back with a fresh guide that’s tailored specifically to your needs. There’s been a considerable buzz around the Steam Deck from Valve, and I share the excitement!
But there’s another layer to that buzz – the excitement of having the EA Desktop App on Steam Deck. Yep, you heard it right! And today, we’ll be talking about how exactly you can install the EA Desktop App on Steam Deck.
Step-by-Step Guide
1. The Initial Phase
Previously, this process was a daunting task, requiring the use of third-party apps like Lutris. However, with the advent of the latest Proton 8 and Experimental update, the process has become significantly more straightforward.
To kick things off, you’ll need to switch into Desktop mode. Once you’re there, open your browser and download the EA App from the official EA website. After downloading, add the app to your Library. You can do this by right-clicking the downloaded app and adding it to Steam. You may need to restart Steam for the app to show up. Alternatively, you can use the ‘Add a Game -> Add a non-steam game’ method.
2. Compatibility and Installation
The next step is to change the compatibility of the installer to Proton Experimental. This can be done by accessing the properties of the installer in your Library. Once you’ve set the compatibility, run the installer and complete the installation process by clicking ‘Let’s Go’.
When the login window appears, close the app and stop it in Steam. Now, it’s time to navigate some files. Open the dolphin explorer and head to the home directory. If you can’t see hidden files, press the 3-line menu on the right and enable ‘show hidden files’.
3. Navigating the Files
Now, navigate to the Steam compatdata folder via .steam->steam->steamapps->compatdata and search for the EA App. Right-click the EA app linker file and open it in a new tab. Navigate up to the C drive for the opened folder, you may need to navigate up to Program Data first.
Next, navigate to Program Files->Electronic Arts->EA Desktop->EA Desktop. Right-click the EADesktop.exe or EALauncher.exe and copy the location. Go back to the properties of the EA installer and paste in the copied location in the TARGET, ensuring the TARGET has ” at the beginning and end of the line. Paste the same in the START IN but remove the EADesktop.exe or EALauncher.exe from the end of the line. The START IN should NOT have ” at the start and end.
4. Finalizing the Installation
Rename the Shortcut at the top to EA App or EA Desktop. Now, run the app to make sure it works. Stay in Desktop mode to log in for the first time. If you have your browser set up, you can use the quick login options for Google, etc., to log in to the EA app quickly. Otherwise, use your email and password, and make sure to tick “Keep me signed in”.
You can now switch to game mode. If you have Decky loader installed and the SteamGridDB plugin, you can now change the artwork for the EA App by right-clicking it and selecting “Change Artwork”. If not, you can check out various online resources on how to get that installed.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What Games Can I Play?
You can now run the EA App in game mode to install the games you want to try. If you don’t see your SD card as one of the install locations, you may need to format it to EXT4. You can play a variety of games, including “A Way Out,” “Battlefield 4,” “Battlefield V,” “It Takes Two,” “Madden NFL 21,” “Madden NFL 22,” “Madden NFL 23,” and “Mass Effect: Andromeda Deluxe Edition.”
2. How Do I Launch EA Games on Steam?
Once you’ve installed the EA games, you can launch them directly from the EA app. However, if you want to launch them from Steam, you’ll need to add each game to your library as a non-Steam game. Remember to set the compatibility of each game to Proton Experimental.
3. Is EA Play Worth It on Steam Deck?
EA Play offers a vast library of games for a monthly subscription, making it a worthwhile investment for avid gamers. However, remember that your membership is tied to the platform you joined on. If you joined Steam, your Play List, member discount, and all other benefits will only be available on Steam.
Conclusion
Remember, gaming is all about exploration and enjoyment. So, don’t be afraid to delve into new territories and try new things. Whether you’re a seasoned gamer or a novice, the world of EA games on your Steam Deck awaits you. Happy gaming!
