---
title: HTPC Bazzite — Proton Compatibility
created: '2026-05-23'
updated: '2026-05-23'
type: tech
namespace: personal
tags: [htpc, infra, how-to, pitfalls]
sources: [family/projects/htpc-windows-games-fix.md]
confidence: medium
---

# HTPC Bazzite — Windows Game Proton Compatibility

Bazzite HTPC at `bazzite@192.168.1.86`. 39 non-Steam Windows games added as
Steam shortcuts (2026-05-22). Default tool: Proton Experimental; older titles
on Proton 8.0.

## Working Games

Fallout 4, Vladik Brutal, Red Alert 3, GTA V, Cuphead. Samurai Gunn works
but gamepad is not detected.

## Common Fix Recipes

### "Doesn't start" → try vcrun2019
For UE3/UE4 and modern Windows titles missing Visual C++ runtime:
```
protontricks <AppID> vcrun2019 d3dcompiler_47
```

### XNA 4.0 games (Duck Game, etc.)
```
protontricks <AppID> xna40
```

### DOS-era games (e.g. Atomic Bomberman)
Proton won't work. Use **Steam Tinker Launch** → wrap with DOSBox (dosbox-staging).

### Non-Steam copy of a Steam game (e.g. Metro Exodus)
Game needs `steam_api64.dll` emulator:
1. Drop in Goldberg `steam_api64.dll`
2. Add `steam_appid.txt` with the real App ID (e.g. 412020 for Metro Exodus Enhanced)

### Cyrillic encoding issues (e.g. Discworld Noir)
Try in order:
1. `LANG=ru_RU.UTF-8 %command%` in Steam launch options
2. `WINEDLLOVERRIDES="gdiplus=n,b"`
3. Install `ttf-mscorefonts` manually + set Cyrillic codepage in Wine registry

### White screen / broken D3D9 (Doom 3 BFG, Rayman Origins, Split Second)
```
PROTON_USE_WINED3D=1 %command%
```
Or try `WINEDLLOVERRIDES="d3d9=b"` or an older Proton version.

## Key Infra Notes

- **shortcuts.vdf**: binary VDF at
  `~/.steam/steam/userdata/147839491/config/shortcuts.vdf`
  Edit with Steam closed:
  `systemctl --user stop gamescope-session-plus@steam.service`
- **CompatToolMapping**: `~/.steam/steam/config/config.vdf` — per-AppID Proton override
- **Wine prefix**: `~/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/compatdata/<AppID>/pfx/`
- **protontricks**: Flatpak, needs xvfb + flatpak filesystem permission to
  `~/.local/share/Steam`
- **Background protontricks** (survives SSH disconnect):
  `systemd-run --user --unit=<name> flatpak run ...`

## Broken Status (2026-05-22)

| Game | AppID | Issue | Next |
|------|-------|-------|------|
| Atomic Bomberman | 2875360586 | DOS-era; 0x0 memory read | DOSBox wrapper |
| Brawlhalla | 2410005953 | Won't start | Try `Brawlhalla.exe` entry-point |
| Duck Game | 2926094216 | XNA 4.0 missing | Wait for `xna40` install |
| Worms W.M.D | 3846411911 | UE3 + anti-tamper | `vcrun2019 + d3dcompiler_47` |
| Metro Exodus | 3594910936 | steam_api64.dll | Goldberg + appid.txt |
| Castle Crashers | 3048471472 | Mini-dump crash | `vcrun2019 dotnet48` |

## Gamepad Issues

- **Samurai Gunn, Super Bomberman R2**: not detected
  → try Steam Input "Force Off" → "Use Default" cycle
  → or `SDL_GAMECONTROLLER_ALLOW_STEAM_VIRTUAL_GAMEPAD=1`
- **Metal Slug X**: wrong speed in Neo-Geo wrapper → check emulator settings

## See Also

[[personal-os-architecture]] [[obsidian-mcp-wrapper]]