Can you install non-native versions of games using Lutris?

General Discussion
1

So what I’m noticing quite a lot, is that games that have native Linux ports, end up no longer working.

Developers don’t update them, and then I guess some dependency breaks (I guess, I’m just regurgitating words I’ve heard before) which causes those games to not function any more.

To that end, in Steam what I’ve done is run the windows version of those games using Proton, and they work just fine.

Can I do that with GOG games using Lutris? GOG allows you to download the windows versions, but I’ve noticed that Lutris only has install scripts for the native version and not the windows version of the game.

For example, Wasteland 2 only shows a script for the native Linux version (though I could be reading that incorrectly).

How would I install the windows verison of a game like that?

2

Connect Lutris to GoG. Then it shows your games. Choose Wasteland 2 and click install.

If there are different options, you can decide to install the original, the modded or a native Linux version, if available.

When it is downloaded, in case of a Windows version, wine will start the GoG windwos installer and it is as if you were on windows.

When it is installed, Lutris adds it to the games folder.

It is just easy. Nothing like years ago.

3

As above, when GoG source is connected, it does give options for Linux and WINE versions.

Otherwise, you can just download the files, set up a WINE prefix, install, add the game, then change the runner Lutris uses for better performance.

Here’s my general all-purpose “I’ve downloaded an EXE” WINE installer. Save as “~/wineinstaller.yaml” then invoke lutris -i wineinstaller.yaml

After install, configure the item and change the game executable from notepad.exe to what the game actually is :slight_smile:

description: Manual game install
game_slug: manual-install
installer_slug: manual-install
name: manual-install
notes: 'Select the installer EXE. Installs with default WINE runner. Re-configure the game executable after running the installer.'
runner: wine
script:
  files:
  - installfile: N/A:Please select the installer
  installer:
  - task:
      name: create_prefix
      prefix: $GAMEDIR
  game:
    exe: $GAMEDIR/drive_c/windows/notepad.exe
    prefix: $GAMEDIR
  installer:
  - task:
      args: /sp- /verysilent /norestart /suppressmsgboxes /nogui
      executable: $installfile
      name: wineexec
      prefix: $GAMEDIR
slug: manual-install
version: wine-game
year: 2024

Edit2: Can be used as a template if you change all instances of “manual-install” to something else.

1 Like
4

To the rescue again!

Thanks for everything, I hope you had a fantastic 2024 and wishing for an even better 2025 for you