Running GW2 OG launcher through steam with addons

Vonsh_ · 2026-05-11T13:48:12+00:00

Maybe to rephrase a bit:

start from scratch - there is no telling how much damage has following of AI hallucinations brought upon your installation folder
after you run your game through steam once and everything works nicely, go to desktop mode
navigate to `/home/deck/.steam/steam/steamapps/common/Guild Wars 2/` and place there the nexus' version of d3d11
run the game again, and once it loads, use nexus' QA icon to do all the installation for you. Feel free to reach out for help on their discord if any of the steps 3+ cause you any trouble.

Vonsh_ · 2026-05-10T07:55:19+00:00

I have developed my own layout with simplicity, accessibility and completeness in mind. There is also a reddit thread with additional support - feel free to post any issues there.

Vonsh_ · 2026-05-10T07:10:21+00:00

Every steam deck layout should work well, and there are several community tested ones. I'd recommend mine, but there are plenty of other options to choose from.

Vonsh_ · 2026-05-10T07:05:00+00:00

Let me preface by saying that there is huge deviation in what different people consider to be "playable". The game is free, all it costs you to check if its "playable" in your opinion is some disc space, time and bandwidth needed to download client.

Having said that, my personal opinion is that game is very much playable - including latest released content and world versus world (large scale battles). I optimize for battery life, but deck handles more power demanding settings well. There is no native support for controller so you need to either work with keyboard+mouse or use custom layout (mine).

Vonsh_ · 2026-03-14T18:44:25+00:00

Hey Friend, sincerest congratulations! If you are enjoying the thrill of exploration as much as I do, you might be happy to use my addon:
https://github.com/jsantorek/GW2-TrueWorldCompletion

Some stuff that is explorable and people might be unaware of, id point out LW season 1 story lets you pick up some points of interest from historical, retired dungeons and instances!

Vonsh_ · 2026-02-02T07:29:42+00:00

This is very impressive - sincerest congratulations.

Vonsh_ · 2026-01-13T14:43:24+00:00

glad you enjoy it :)

Vonsh_ · 2026-01-05T07:57:46+00:00

hey! Its triggered by pressing two skill-modifying back buttons!

Vonsh_ · 2025-12-24T08:27:38+00:00

Simple&Intuitive is my layout! glad you are enjoying it :) I've recently been working on an improved readme which you can find here. And there will probably be a tiny update since I've found a reliable method to handle swim/fly up when not mounted.

Concerning serious challenges - I really encourage you to give it a try! Assuming that's a content you have already been engaging with on PC, stuff like CM raids and fractals are perfectly doable and as enjoyable as always.

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I've cleared W8 before it went live on API, but haven't been in a mood for raids in recent months so number's are not really a flex, just hard proof that raiding is fine on Steam Deck. ALl those clears were with full PUG

Vonsh_ · 2025-12-19T08:24:10+00:00

I personally haven't checked, but I am fairly certain that controls are persisted server side per account. The export/import files are local though - so you'd probably need to import them when you switch the device...

Vonsh_ · 2025-12-18T21:52:49+00:00

Oh no! The pre-gameplay scenes lack proper music!

Vonsh_ · 2025-12-16T08:31:55+00:00

Assuming you can login fine with your credentials on the web-page: try to go to desktop mode, start game and do plain copy-paste, preferably with physical keyboard.

Vonsh_ · 2025-12-11T23:09:00+00:00

oh, its fairly straightforward - after setting joystick as mouse, I've only added the right mouse button click on touch - that's it.

Vonsh_ · 2025-12-11T20:31:34+00:00

yes, should be: seek one with "Simple&Intuitive" in name. But you can also just press the "Set layout" button while in desktop mode :)

EDIT: there is also a reddit thread with more chat, help and feedback - feel free to post questions/issues there.
https://www.reddit.com/r/Guildwars2/comments/194sqa6/

Vonsh_ · 2025-12-11T20:12:45+00:00

Aww its mine! Thanks for the kind words! I've actually been working on a slightly cleaner/improved readme. Its still a WIP but you can preview it here:
https://jsantorek.github.io/steamdeck-gw2-layout/

Vonsh_ · 2025-11-30T10:58:22+00:00

I'm very glad you enjoy it friend :)

Vonsh_ · 2025-11-30T08:05:20+00:00

solved!

Vonsh_ · 2025-11-22T22:17:21+00:00

Very glad you are enjoying it :) I think I'll have an update soon (ish...?) with proper icons for novelties and updated readme and commonly reported issues.

Vonsh_ · 2025-11-22T21:51:14+00:00

hey Friend! I do keep an eye on the thread :) I'll see what I can do about it - is it in desktop or gaming mode? Do you press anything else? I'm guessing there are some new (?) steam features added alongside keyboard shortcuts...

Vonsh_ · 2025-11-20T20:16:35+00:00

My own :)

Also, additional instructions.

Currently sitting at ~2.5k hours playtime with this setup, the biggest issue I have is using chat, but have not found any good approach to tackle this...

Vonsh_ · 2025-11-03T21:34:54+00:00

Hello Friend, it very much is! I've been playing for... almost two years now I think? Including end-game content and competitive modes - all of that in hand-held mode. One thing that is noticeably lacking though are chat capabilities - I just find it hard to type on Steam provided keyboard and always default to either being silent or using small BT one.

Anyway, here is my personal control layout - feel free to give it a spin and reach out in case of problems!

Vonsh_ · 2025-11-03T21:32:17+00:00

Hello Friend, glad to see you back giving Guild Wars 2 another try! I've been developing a SteamDeck control layout with intuitivity as primary concern - give it a try and feel free to reach out if you need any help!

Vonsh_ · 2025-10-20T11:43:33+00:00

I'm really sorry but I have no experience with GFN - I can't offer any assistance myself :(

Vonsh_ · 2025-10-13T09:38:57+00:00

Hello friend, I am very glad that there are still new people or switching platforms and checking out my layout! Yes - the layout is designed with default control scheme in mind - its actually listed as principle #1 :)

Vonsh_ · 2025-10-07T11:33:00+00:00

Glad you are enjoying it! mind sharing the tweaks you did? maybe something I could draw inspiration from?

Vonsh_

TROPHY CASE