How Do You Play EA on Steam Deck?

Playing EA games on your Steam Deck is entirely possible, offering access to a vast library of titles, whether they are purchased directly through Steam or via the EA App. The primary method involves installing and configuring the EA App on your device as a non-Steam game.

Understanding EA Games and the Steam Deck

Your approach to playing EA games on Steam Deck will largely depend on where you purchased the games:

• EA Games Purchased via Steam: Many EA titles are available directly on Steam. For these games, the process is straightforward. Steam automatically handles compatibility layers (like Proton) and launches the game directly. You may occasionally need to log into the EA App for the first time or if a game requires it for DRM, but it's often seamless.
• EA Games Not Purchased via Steam (Requiring the EA App): This category includes games bought directly from EA, through services like PC Game Pass (which includes EA Play), or older titles. To play these, you'll need to install the EA App itself on your Steam Deck and launch your games through it.

Method: Installing and Launching the EA App

This method allows you to access your entire EA library, including games you own outside of Steam.

Step-by-Step Installation of the EA App

Before you can launch the EA App, you need to install it on your Steam Deck:

1. Enter Desktop Mode:
   • Press the Steam button.
   • Navigate to Power.
   • Select Switch to Desktop.
2. Download the EA App Installer:
   • Open a web browser (like Firefox, pre-installed on Steam Deck).
   • Go to the official EA website and download the EA App installer (usually an .exe file). Save it to an easily accessible location, like your Downloads folder.
3. Add the Installer as a Non-Steam Game:
   • Open Steam while in Desktop Mode.
   • Go to Games in the top menu bar.
   • Select Add a Non-Steam Game to My Library....
   • Click Browse... and navigate to where you saved the EA App installer (.exe file). Select it and click Open.
   • Click Add Selected Programs.
4. Configure Compatibility for the Installer:
   • In your Steam Library (still in Desktop Mode), find the EA App installer you just added.
   • Right-click on it and select Properties.
   • Go to the Compatibility tab.
   • Check the box "Force the use of a specific Steam Play compatibility tool".
   • From the dropdown menu, select a recent version of Proton (e.g., Proton Experimental or a stable Proton version like 8.0-x).
5. Run the Installer:
   • Launch the EA App installer from Steam (in Desktop Mode, by clicking Play).
   • Follow the on-screen instructions to install the EA App. Install it to a simple path like C:\EA App (which translates to a compatibility folder on your Steam Deck).
   • Important: Do not launch the EA App immediately after installation if prompted. Uncheck any "Run EA App" options.
6. Add the Installed EA App as a Non-Steam Game:
   • Once the installation is complete, you need to add the actual installed EA App to Steam.
   • Go back to Steam in Desktop Mode.
   • Go to Games > Add a Non-Steam Game to My Library....
   • This time, click Browse... and navigate to where the EA App was installed. This is usually within a Proton compatibility folder. A common path is /home/deck/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/compatdata/[a string of numbers]/pfx/drive_c/Program Files/Electronic Arts/EA Desktop/EA Desktop/EALauncher.exe or EADesktop.exe.
   • Select EALauncher.exe or EADesktop.exe and click Open, then Add Selected Programs.
7. Configure Compatibility for the EA App:
   • Find the newly added EA App in your Steam Library.
   • Right-click, select Properties, go to the Compatibility tab.
   • Force the use of the same Proton version you used for the installer (or Proton Experimental).

Launching the EA App and Your Games

Once the EA App is installed and added as a non-Steam game, you can launch it directly from Gaming Mode:

1. Return to Gaming Mode:
   • Hold down the Steam button.
   • Select Power.
   • Choose Switch to Gaming Mode.
2. Access Your Non-Steam Library:
   • Press the Steam button on your Deck.
   • Select Library.
   • Press the R1 button to navigate to the Non-Steam tab in your library.
3. Launch the EA App:
   • Locate the EA App (or whatever you named it) in your Non-Steam Library.
   • Tap on it and select Play.
4. Sign In and Play:
   • The EA App will launch. Sign in with your EA login details.
   • Once signed in, you can browse your game library within the EA App and launch your desired game directly from there. The EA App will use the same Proton compatibility layer to run your games.

Tips for a Better Experience

• Controller Configuration: For games launched via the EA App, you may need to manually configure controller layouts within Steam Input if the game doesn't natively support gamepads or if you want custom controls.
• Storage Location: Consider installing the EA App and your games on a fast SD card or the internal SSD for better performance.
• Game-Specific Launch Options: For optimal performance or to resolve specific issues, some games might benefit from custom launch options added in the EA App's properties within Steam.

By following these steps, you can expand your Steam Deck's gaming potential to include a wide range of EA titles, ensuring a versatile handheld gaming experience.