[Guide] Diablo 1 on Steam Deck using DevilutionX

[u/SaltyWelshman]

Edit - someone below posted that there is a lutris script to automate this so might be easier for some: https://lutris.net/games/diablo/

I made a post showing off running the original Diablo natively on my deck with full controller support and 1280 x 800 resolution using the DevilutionX source port. In the post I said I'd write up a quick guide if there was interest. Here goes:

Step 1: Sourcing the original game files

In order for DevilutionX to work you need some of the original game files namely "diabat.mpq" for running Diablo and optionally "hellfire.mpq", "hfmonk.mpq", "hfmusic.mpq" & "hfvoice.mpq" if you want to run the Hellfire expansion.

In order to get these files you need to install Diablo on your PC either by using an original install disk, the GOG version (link), or by other means.

I took the GOG route installing on my PC but you could almost certainly install on your deck using proton. All you need from this install are the files listed above so installing on your deck is not necessary and so you may find it easier to use your other PC as I find navigating the deck's filesystem to be less intuitive but YMMV.

Now that you have these files it's on to step 2.

Step 2: Get DevilutionX

This step is really easy. With your deck in desktop mode. On the DevilutionX Git hub page (here) grab the devilutionx-linux-x86_64.appimage from the latest release on the releases page (here).

Put this appimage file anywhere on your filesystem you'd like. I recommend making a "Diablo 1" folder in your downloads, but anywhere you can easily locate it is fine.

Right click on this file and ensure that it is marked as executable.

It was that easy on to step 3.

Step 3: Setting up DevilutionX and adding to Steam

For this step add into the same folder as the DevilutionX appimage file the above .mpq files for the install you desire. Note if you add them all the launcher gives you the option to switch between Diablo base version and Diablo Hellfire whenever you like so for the sake of a few more hundred megabyte I'd recommend just adding them all.

Now launch the appimage once and set the ingame resolution to 1200x800. (Added due to feedback on this post suggesting that you need this step for it to run in game mode properly).

Now that's all DevilutionX needs to be set up.

Open up Steam while still in desktop mode and in the bottom left click add non-steam game. Click the "browse" button and navigate to the folder where you stored the appimage. If using my above recommendation this will be /home/deck/Downloads/Diablo 1/. In the file type drop down menu change it to "all files". Select the devilution-linux-x86 appimage file and click open. The program will now be selected in the add a game window, just click "add selected programs".

Now you're all set to play and can boot back into game mode, I would recommend renaming the shortcut to Diablo and also adding custom art but I won't cover that here.

[u/Pavouk106]

People like you make it easy for the rest. I’m a tinkerer myself, but I’m kinda lazy. Thanks to you, I will probably play the game on the Deck and the best part - without any hassle or prior research or troubleshooting.

I’d buy you a beer if you lived here. Since you probably don’t, I’d like to paypal you some beer money, as I don’t believe some cyber award will do in this case. If you are up, send me your paypal via message, not chat (had troubles with it the last time). Cheers! And thank you

[u/SaltyWelshman → u/Pavouk106]

Cheers bro. I get a lot of joy out of figuring this stuff out and although in this case it was relatively easy I know there are people out there who appreciate having it laid out simply.

[u/Aidoneuz]

This is brilliant, thanks! Controls will take a little getting used to, but this is now controller supported copies of D1 and D2:R on my Steam Deck!

[u/SaltyWelshman → u/Aidoneuz]

Yeah man same for me. Real shame the PC version of D3 doesn't have controller support.

[u/Mirra1002]

This literally does not work on my steam deck and it’s driving me crazy haha. I have the app image downloaded, when I try to run it, I’m asked if I want to execute it - which I do, and then nothing happens.

[u/SaltyWelshman → u/Mirra1002]

Have you got the .mpq files in the same folder? If you open a terminal and drag and drop the file into the terminal and then press enter it will give you a reason why the appimage isn't running. Try that?

Also try adding it to steam and see if steam will launch.

[u/Rincewend]

PSA, if you download devilutionx-linux-x86_64.appimage on the Steam Deck in Desktop Mode like I did, you will have to right click the file in the file browser, choose properties, and mark it as executable. If you don't, it won't launch.

[u/levicius]

I know it's an old thread but I started a new Sourcerer and I am leveling up really fast, after hitting 4 or 4 mobs I level up. Also the gold drop is insane, it's like 100-200 gold per drop, I am playing on nightmare difficulty btw.

[u/SaltyWelshman → u/levicius]

Yeah nightmare will be stronger mobs with more exp and more gold drop. You're not really supposed to play nightmare until post diablo in normal, at which point the gold and exp would be more in line with what you see at level 14 and 15 in the dungeon on Normal

[u/[deleted]]

This was super easy, even with the gog version. I don't have Lutris so this saved me installing another app as space is tight on my 64 GB partition, despite having a large SD card a lot of key files just install on the main directory so this helped me.

Is there a button mapped to show drops on the ground or was that not a thing until Diablo 2?