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[Humdinger]

Hi there. Question for PC gamers. How easy will it be to play modded games on the Steam Machine? In particular, I'm wondering about modded games like Skyrim, Morrowind, or Fallout. Other games as well, but those are the ones that come to mind.

At first I assumed you could play all modded games on the Steam Machine, but then I realized that most games are modded on Windows, and of course Steam operates on Linux. Although there is Proton and other translation programs, Google informs me that some games, including Fallout and Skyrim, "will not work well, because they rely on complex, Windows-specific tools." Someone told me that OpenMW (Morrowind) will be available, so that may be different.

For context, I'm a long-time console gamer and a noob when it comes to PC gaming. That's why I sound confused -- because I am. I'm not sure how this works.

If I get a Steam Machine, can I count on being able to play modded games? Or will it be hit and miss, depending on which mods are translatable?

Thanks in advance for any info.

p.s. And to clarify, I'm talking about playing modded games. I'm not interested in creating mods myself.

 

[Robot Carnival]

I imagine it won't be a problem. it's a PC after all and I'm sure when the time comes there will be plenty of tutorials for mod installations for all the different games you want to try.

 

[yet_another_alt]

I personally found modding on the Deck to be a pain in the ass due to my unfamiliarity with the Linux file system. I did mod Fallout 4 and MH Rise but those are mostly drag and drop stuff. I wanted to mod the Mass Effect trilogy at one time but it sounded like too much work.

 

[jshackles]

The overwhelming majority of mods for the overwhelming majority of games just require you to drop a file (or files) into a game's installation folder. This is essentially the same process for Windows as it is for Linux, as games files and folder structures are identical (since Proton on Linux is just running the Windows version of the game most of the time).

These "complex, Windows-specific tools", especially for Fallout and Skyrim, are usually mod managers that control things like the load order of different files. Even these tools can be run on SteamOS most of the time using Proton. The Steam Deck has been out for long enough that most people already have this all figured out and there are tons of Youtube videos out there on the subject. Here's the first one I found on Google:

 

[BennyBlanco]

Hi there. Question for PC gamers. How easy will it be to play modded games on the Steam Machine? In particular, I'm wondering about modded games like Skyrim, Morrowind, or Fallout. Other games as well, but those are the ones that come to mind.

At first I assumed you could play all modded games on the Steam Machine, but then I realized that most games are modded on Windows, and of course Steam operates on Linux. Although there is Proton and other translation programs, Google informs me that some games, including Fallout and Skyrim, "will not work well, because they rely on complex, Windows-specific tools." Someone told me that OpenMW (Morrowind) will be available, so that may be different.

For context, I'm a long-time console gamer and a noob when it comes to PC gaming. That's why I sound confused -- because I am. I'm not sure how this works.

If I get a Steam Machine, can I count on being able to play modded games? Or will it be hit and miss, depending on which mods are translatable?

Thanks in advance for any clarification.

just assume anything that applies to deck will apply to this

 

[El Hee-Ho]

If I get a Steam Machine, can I count on being able to play modded games?

Dude, Steam even has a "workshop" section for many games which makes adding mods as simple as clicking a button.

Here's an example:

Steam Community :: Left 4 Dead 2

Left 4 Dead 2 - Set in the zombie apocalypse, Left 4 Dead 2 (L4D2) is the highly anticipated sequel to the award-winning Left 4 Dead, the #1 co-op game of 2008. This co-operative action horror FPS takes you and your friends through the cities, swamps and cemeteries of the Deep South, from...

steamcommunity.com

Also, the thing is still a PC. So yeah any mods downloaded from the internet should be installable without any issue.

 

[Hawk The Slayer]

I read that it has a mouse and keyboard slot so you can plug in your mouse and keyboard making modding easier. The only thing I read that might not be good is some mod managers probably won't work well with the Steam Machine. I'm fine with drag and drop files for modding since I used to do that a long time ago. But I'm hoping the script extender for both Fallout and Elder Scroll still works as those are required for the more advance mods.

 

[Humdinger]

The overwhelming majority of mods for the overwhelming majority of games just require you to drop a file (or files) into a game's installation folder. This is essentially the same process for Windows as it is for Linux, as games files and folder structures are identical (since Proton on Linux is just running the Windows version of the game most of the time).

These "complex, Windows-specific tools", especially for Fallout and Skyrim, are usually mod managers that control things like the load order of different files. Even these tools can be run on SteamOS most of the time using Proton. The Steam Deck has been out for long enough that most people already have this all figured out and there are tons of Youtube videos out there on the subject. Here's the first one I found on Google:

Ok, thanks, that helps.

So, just so I'm clear, I can anticipate needing to search for tutorials, find specific files, and then install those files into the game's install folder? That's not quite as simple as I'd hoped, but I'm sure I can manage.

Dude, Steam even has a "workshop" section for many games which makes adding mods as simple as clicking a button.

Here's an example:

Cool. Are those mods just the ones created in Linux, or do they included mods created in Windows, then translated through Proton?

 

[El Hee-Ho]

Cool. Are those mods just the ones created in Linux, or do they included mods created in Windows, then translated through Proton?

Mods are mods, they affect the code and files of the game so I'd say the OS doesn't matter at all here.

I remember playing Oblivion on my Steam Deck with a few mods and could just grab them from nexusmods.

 

[Kacho]

Ok, thanks, that helps. So, just so I'm clear, I can anticipate needing to search for tutorials, then find specific files, and then install those files into the game's installation folder? That's not quite as simple as I'd hoped, but I'm sure I can manage.

A person new to modding will need guides and instructions no matter which OS you use. The good thing is you will almost always find what you need.

For games with a Steam Workshop page, it's as simple as clicking what you want.

 

[ResurrectedContrarian]

The Workshop is amazing... I probably spent 5x as much time on Portal 1/2 mods (often, full narrative conversions) than I did on the base games over the years, and all of them were instant to install.

More console gamers need a taste of that freedom.

 

[Humdinger]

The Workshop is amazing... I probably spent 5x as much time on Portal 1/2 mods (often, full narrative conversions) than I did on the base games over the years, and all of them were instant to install.

More console gamers need a taste of that freedom.

Beautiful. I hope the games I'm interested in have Workshop pages.

 

[cash_longfellow]

That's what I'm wondering. I like to use Wemod on single player games I've played through before, I will buy one if that works on it.

 

[simpatico]

It's all Steam Workshop if you want it to be. As easy as browsing games on the Steam store and clicking "Add". This won't get you to the absolute depths of modding, but it should be plenty for anyone looking to add some skins or enhance the intended experience. For total conversions you'll probably have to get into folders and such.

 

[Durin]

Hi there. Question for PC gamers. How easy will it be to play modded games on the Steam Machine? In particular, I'm wondering about modded games like Skyrim, Morrowind, or Fallout. Other games as well, but those are the ones that come to mind.

At first I assumed you could play all modded games on the Steam Machine, but then I realized that most games are modded on Windows, and of course Steam operates on Linux. Although there is Proton and other translation programs, Google informs me that some games, including Fallout and Skyrim, "will not work well, because they rely on complex, Windows-specific tools." Someone told me that OpenMW (Morrowind) will be available, so that may be different.

For context, I'm a long-time console gamer and a noob when it comes to PC gaming. That's why I sound confused -- because I am. I'm not sure how this works.

If I get a Steam Machine, can I count on being able to play modded games? Or will it be hit and miss, depending on which mods are translatable?

Thanks in advance for any info.

p.s. And to clarify, I'm talking about playing modded games. I'm not interested in creating mods myself.

Here are some options:

1.Manually move files to the same folders, which works for most mods.

2.Install Mod Organizer 2 for Linux, there are 2 project options I'm familiar with. Option 1 (github) & Option 2 (github), with this video explanation of both below:


3. Option 2 (github) I just mentioned also installs Vortex on to Linux as well.

4. Nexus Mods is currently working on Nexus Mods App (github) that will work on Linux. I think it is out of alpha stage currently, this video below goes over it:


Hope that helps!

 

[Deerock71]

 

[kevboard]

it's usually annoying as fuck to do, but it's doable

 

[StereoVsn]

That's what I'm wondering. I like to use Wemod on single player games I've played through before, I will buy one if that works on it.

WeMod and other in memory tools won't work I believe, due to different memory call structure. At least I couldn't get Cheat Engine to work when I was trying on the Deck a year back or so.

 

[DavidGzz]

As long as I can run Wand(previously Wemod), I should be fine. Nexus mods would be a nice bonus.

A.I. says if you switch to desk top mode you can even use it with the Steam Deck, But you have to launch games via the app.

 

[jshackles]

That's what I'm wondering. I like to use Wemod on single player games I've played through before, I will buy one if that works on it.

As long as I can run Wand(previously Wemod), I should be fine. Nexus mods would be a nice bonus.

WeMod / Wand is trash and a blatant cash grab. Get your "trainers" from the source and stop paying for it / using an inferior product.

WeMod and other in memory tools won't work I believe, due to different memory call structure. At least I couldn't get Cheat Engine to work when I was trying on the Deck a year back or so.

They do actually work! I've got the CheatDeck Decky plugin installed and it's wonderful

GitHub - SheffeyG/CheatDeck: A launch options manager allows you to run games with cheats and trainers.

A launch options manager allows you to run games with cheats and trainers. - SheffeyG/CheatDeck

github.com

Works great with several trainers I've tried (Fling mostly) and it's pretty plug and play once you download the file you need and get it configured.

 

[DavidGzz]

WeMod / Wand is trash and a blatant cash grab. Get your "trainers" from the source and stop paying for it / using an inferior product.

It's free and sometimes I just want the basics and you can just click a toggle. You can even launch your games with it. I use Nexus for the goods and don't pay for that either.

 

[ResurrectedContrarian]

It's all Steam Workshop if you want it to be. As easy as browsing games on the Steam store and clicking "Add". This won't get you to the absolute depths of modding, but it should be plenty for anyone looking to add some skins or enhance the intended experience. For total conversions you'll probably have to get into folders and such.

Most total conversions I've played on Steam have also been available through one click -- where Steam hosts the mod with what looks like a normal-ish store page and you can add it to your library in one click as a wholly separate game, but the only requirement is that you own the base game associated with it.

for example:

or: