How To Install Fitgirl Games On Steam Deck

How to Install FitGirl Games on Steam Deck

Alright, gamers! So, you’ve got your shiny new Steam Deck and you’re itching to play some of those FitGirl repacks. It’s a fantastic idea to get the most bang for your buck and enjoy games on the go. But, installing them isn’t as simple as downloading and clicking, especially on a device like the Steam Deck, which runs a version of Linux. Don’t worry, though. I’m here to walk you through the whole process step-by-step. It might seem a little tricky at first, but trust me, it’s totally doable. We will talk about getting things ready, actually installing the games, and getting them running smoothly on your Steam Deck. Let’s jump right in and get your game on!

Understanding the Basics

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty, let’s make sure we understand what we’re dealing with. FitGirl repacks are compressed versions of games that take up less space and are often shared via torrents. These repacks are very popular because they help us save space and download games quicker. However, because they’re not official versions, we will need to do a little more work to make them run. Also, remember that downloading games from unofficial sources is risky and can sometimes expose your computer to viruses. Be very careful and always use a good antivirus program.

What You Need

• Your Steam Deck: Obviously, this is where the magic will happen. Make sure it’s charged and ready.
• A microSD Card (Recommended): If you don’t have a big enough internal drive on your Steam Deck, a microSD card is essential for holding all those games. Make sure you have a good quality microSD card to avoid performance problems.
• A Computer: It is much easier to do all the initial downloads and file extractions on your computer. You can also do it directly on Steam Deck but it’s usually not as smooth.
• A Torrent Client: You need a program to download the FitGirl repacks from torrent files. Common examples include qBittorrent or Transmission.
• File Compression Software: Some repacks come in parts, so you may need software like 7-Zip to extract them.
• Some patience: This might take a little time, especially if you’re new to this process, so don’t get discouraged.

Preparing Your Steam Deck

Before we start installing games, let’s get your Steam Deck ready. We will need to switch to Desktop Mode, which gives you a more traditional computer-like interface to manage files.

Switching to Desktop Mode

1. Press the Steam button: This is the button in the bottom-left of the deck.
2. Go to Power: It’s the second last option in the menu that will appear.
3. Select “Switch to Desktop”: This will take you to the desktop mode.

The Steam Deck will restart and you’ll see a normal desktop screen. Don’t worry, your games and Steam library are still there, just in a different mode.

Installing Necessary Software on the Steam Deck

Although we’ll do most of the work on your computer, you may need to install certain software directly on your Steam Deck in Desktop Mode. This might be useful for situations when you want to move the file directly to Steam Deck without the need for external hard drive. Here’s what you might need:

• qBittorrent (or similar): You may want to install qBittorrent to directly download torrents on Steam Deck, in case you want to skip the computer. You can install it via the Discover application which is similar to the App Store on a phone.
• 7-Zip or Ark: If you haven’t extracted the game files on your computer, you may need these programs to extract the archive files (.rar, .zip, .7z etc) on the steam deck itself. You can also install these from the Discover app.

Preparing the Games on Your Computer

Let’s make sure you have everything ready on your computer, before moving games to Steam Deck. This is usually much easier to do on a regular computer.

Downloading the Game Repacks

1. Find a Repack: Go to FitGirl’s official website or a reliable source that you trust. Be careful where you download from to avoid getting infected with viruses.
2. Download the Torrent File: Get the torrent file for the game you want. This is a small file that your torrent client uses to download the actual game files.
3. Use a Torrent Client: Open your torrent client (like qBittorrent) and load the torrent file. Choose where you want to save the game files.
4. Wait for the Download: This can take some time depending on your internet speed and the size of the game.

Extracting the Game Files

Once you’ve downloaded the game files, you’ll likely need to extract them. This is where your file compression software comes in:

• Use 7-Zip or similar program: Find the downloaded folder. Look for the main file, usually named something like “setup.exe” or something similar.
• Right-click and select “Extract Here”: The software will start extracting the game files to the same folder. This might take some time, so be patient.

Verifying the Files

After the extraction finishes, it’s a good idea to check if all the files are there. Make sure there isn’t any errors or missing files. If you downloaded multiple parts, make sure that extraction has created the main game folder that contains setup files.

Transferring Games to Your Steam Deck

Now that you have the game files ready, it’s time to get them onto your Steam Deck. You can do this in several ways, we’ll explain the most common and easy methods.

Using a MicroSD Card

This is usually the most convenient way if you’re planning on having more than a few games on your Steam Deck.

1. Insert microSD Card: Put your microSD card into your computer’s card reader or a USB card adapter.
2. Copy the Game Folder: Find the game folder you extracted earlier. Copy this whole folder to your microSD card.
3. Eject the Card: Safely eject the microSD card from your computer.
4. Insert into Steam Deck: Put the microSD card into your Steam Deck.

Using a USB Drive or External Hard Drive

If you don’t have a microSD card, you can use a USB drive or an external hard drive to transfer games to the Steam Deck. It might be useful for temporary use and situations when you don’t want to move the games on permanent storage.

1. Connect USB Drive: Plug your USB drive into your computer.
2. Copy the Game Folder: Copy the extracted game folder to the USB drive.
3. Eject the Drive: Safely eject the drive from your computer.
4. Connect to Steam Deck: Plug the USB drive into your Steam Deck using a USB-C hub (if needed).

Using Network Share (Optional)

For advanced users, you can set up a network share on your computer and access it directly from your Steam Deck. This requires more technical knowledge but can be convenient if you don’t want to transfer files using physical storage. This method will not be explained here as it’s too complex for beginners.

Installing the Game on Steam Deck

Now for the exciting part! We’re going to install the game on your Steam Deck. Remember, you’ll need to be in Desktop Mode for this.

Locating the Game Files

First, find where you moved the game files to. If you used a microSD card, it will show up on your desktop as “Removable Media”. If you used USB drive, it may show up with a name you gave to it. Locate and open your game folder, which you transferred in the previous step.

Running the Setup

Inside the game folder, you should see a setup file. It might be called “setup.exe” or something similar. This is the program we need to run to install the game, but we can’t run exe files directly on Linux. So, we’ll use something called “Proton”. Proton is a compatibility layer that allows Windows applications to run on Linux.

• Right-click the Setup file: Then click “Add to Steam”.
• Go to Library: Switch back to your Library or open Steam from the bottom dock.
• Find the Setup File: The setup file will appear in your library as a ‘non-Steam game’.
• Click the Setting Icon(Gear Icon) for Setup.exe: then click on “Properties”.
• Go to Compatibility: select “Force the use of a specific Steam Play compatibility tool”
• Select Proton: select any of the Proton versions (usually the latest).
• Run the Setup: Click play/run. This will start the game setup.

Going Through the Setup Process

The game setup will now look like it does on a Windows computer. Follow the steps, usually clicking “Next” a few times and agreeing to the license. Choose the location where you want to install the game. Usually, it’s recommended to install it on the microSD card for better storage management.

It’s important to pay attention to the installation location. Make sure you remember the path because we need it later to launch the game correctly. Some repacks may require to install DirectX or other additional software before finishing the game setup process. Simply follow the on screen instructions to complete that as well.

The setup process may take some time, depending on the game size and speed of your microSD card. Be patient and don’t interrupt it.

Adding the Game to Steam

After the setup is complete, we need to add the game to Steam so it will appear in your games library and you can launch the game from gaming mode.

Find the Game’s .exe File

Go back to the folder where you installed the game. Find the main game executable file, usually something like “game.exe”, “launcher.exe” or similar. Make sure you know the name and location of this executable.

Add the Game as a Non-Steam Game

1. Click on Steam: On the bottom left corner of the desktop.
2. Click on ‘Add a Game’: Then select “Add a Non-Steam Game”.
3. Browse the files: Browse the files and navigate to location where the game was installed and select the main game executable file.
4. Add Selected Program: Click on “Add Selected Programs”.

Customizing the Game Entry (Optional)

Now you’ll see the game in your Steam library. But, it might not have a proper name or logo. You can fix this if you want.

• Right-click the Game: Then click on “Properties”.
• Change the Name: You can type the actual game name here.
• Add Custom Art: You can download covers and add them from the same menu by clicking on the image placeholders. This makes the game look more professional.

Switching Back to Gaming Mode

Now that you’ve done all the work in Desktop Mode, let’s go back to the regular Steam Deck interface, and run the game!

1. Close All Windows: Make sure there are no open windows on Desktop Mode.
2. Click on “Return to Gaming Mode”: There is a button on the desktop which says “Return to Gaming Mode”, Click it.
3. Steam Deck restarts: You’ll go back to the main Steam Deck gaming interface.
4. Find Your Game: Look for the game in your library. It should now appear like any other game.
5. Play!: Click on the game and enjoy!

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Sometimes things don’t go perfectly, here are a few problems you might encounter and how to try to fix them.

Game Doesn’t Launch

• Check Proton Version: Try changing the Proton version in the game properties.
• Verify Game Files: Make sure all game files are present and not corrupted.
• Run as Administrator: Some repacks may require it, try running the setup again, right click on file and “run as administrator”.

Performance Issues

• Lower Graphic Settings: Reduce the game’s graphics settings to improve performance.
• Check Drivers: Make sure your Steam Deck has the latest drivers.
• Close Background Apps: Make sure there is no other program running in background consuming resources.

Controls Not Working

• Check Controller Settings: Try changing controller layouts in Steam.
• Use Community Layouts: Other players may have created working controller layouts which you can try.

Keeping Things Safe

Remember that downloading games from unofficial sources comes with risks. Be careful where you get your games. Always download from a reliable source, and always run a virus scan on downloaded files before you start installing them.

Installing FitGirl repacks on your Steam Deck can seem a little complicated at first, but it’s completely achievable if you follow these steps. By using your computer to prepare the files and then moving them to your Steam Deck, you’ll be playing your favorite games in no time. Always take care when downloading files from untrusted sources, and always keep your Steam Deck software updated. Happy gaming!