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Visual Novel Setup Guide ​

This guide will help you set up your Steam Deck to run Non-Steam Japanese Visual Novels using Lutris. For more detailed information, check the other referenced pages in the wiki.

Prerequisites ​

Required Software

Step 1: Install Software ​

  1. Switch to Desktop Mode on your Steam Deck
  2. Open Discover and install:
    • Lutris
    • ProtonUp-Qtdiscover_store
  3. Download the Windows Japanese Fonts Pack

Step 2: Initial Lutris Setup ​

Open Lutris and wait for it to finish any downloads shown in the bottom left corner. Once complete, close the application.

Step 3: Enable Japanese Locale ​

Important

This step is crucial for proper Japanese text rendering in visual novels.

Enable Lutris JP Locale by running these commands in Konsole (Terminal):

bash
flatpak config --system --set languages 'en;ja'
flatpak config --user --set languages 'en;ja'
flatpak update

Step 4: Install Wine and Proton Versions ​

4.1 Install Wine Versions ​

  1. Open ProtonUp-Qt
  2. Select Lutris from the dropdown
  3. Click Add version
  4. Select Kron4ek Wine-Builds Vanilla Version 10.X (latest available) protonup_add_kron4ek
  5. Press Install and wait for completion

4.2 Install Proton-GE Versions ​

  1. Select Steam from the dropdown
  2. Click Add Version
  3. Select GE-Proton Version 10.X (latest available) protonup_add_protonGE
  4. Press Install and wait for completion

Step 5: Create Prefix Folders ​

  1. Navigate to your Documents folder
  2. Create a new folder called wine_prefixes
  3. Inside the wine_prefixes folder, create two subfolders:
    • protonge
    • vanilla

Step 6: Setup Lutris Prefixes ​

Open Lutris again and click the + button in the top left, then select Add locally installed game.

Vanilla Wine Prefix ​

Configure the following settings:

Game Info:

  • Name: vanilla
  • Runner: Wine

Game Options:

  • Executable: Path to your Visual Novel executable
    Example: /home/deck/games/WHITE ALBUM2/WA2.exe
  • Wine prefix: /home/deck/Documents/wine_prefixes/vanilla/
  • Prefix architecture: 64-bit

Runner Options:

  • Wine version: wine-10.1-amd64-wow64 (or latest version installed)
  • Enable DXVK: Disable (can enable if you have rendering issues)

System Options:

  • Locale: Select Japanese

Locale Setting

The Japanese locale is usually not necessary for official localizations, but always needed for fan translations. It doesn't hurt to enable it either way.

Initialize the Prefix:

  1. Click Save at the top
  2. Select the vanilla entry and click Open Bash terminallutris_bash_terminal
  3. Run the following command:
    bash
    WINEARCH=win64 wineboot
  4. Close the terminal when finished

Proton-GE Prefix ​

Configure the following settings:

Game Info:

  • Name: proton-ge
  • Runner: Wine

Game Options:

  • Executable: Path to your Visual Novel executable
    Example: /home/deck/games/WHITE ALBUM2/WA2.exe
  • Wine prefix: /home/deck/Documents/wine_prefixes/protonge
  • Prefix architecture: 64-bit

Runner Options:

  • Wine version: GE-Proton 10.3 (or latest version installed)
  • Enable DXVK: Enable (can disable if you have rendering issues)

System Options:

  • Environment options:
    • Key: PROTON_VERB
    • Value: waitforexitandrun
  • Locale: Select Japanese

Click Play to create the prefix and open the game.

Step 7: Install Japanese Fonts ​

Copy the Japanese fonts downloaded in Step 1 to both prefixes:

  • /home/deck/Documents/wine_prefixes/vanilla/drive_c/windows/Fonts/
  • /home/deck/Documents/wine_prefixes/protonge/drive_c/windows/Fonts/

Step 8: Test Your Visual Novel ​

Compatibility

Generally, proton-ge works better for recently released Visual Novels, while vanilla Wine is better for older titles. However, results may vary depending on the specific game.

Test your visual novel with both prefixes to see which works better for your specific game.

Step 9: Add to Steam Gaming Mode ​

Once you have your game running properly in Desktop Mode:

  1. Right-click the working entry in Lutris
  2. Select Duplicate and rename it to your Visual Novel's title
  3. Right-click the new entry and select Create desktop shortcut
  4. Restart Steam and return to Gaming Mode

TIP

Use the SteamGridDB Decky Loader plugin to conveniently add artwork for your Visual Novel while in Steam Gaming Mode.

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