GE-Proton 7-39 released improving Overwatch 2 for Steam Deck & Linux

GE-Proton is the community-maintained version of the Windows compatibility layer Proton, not endorsed by Valve but it can get more games running on Steam Deck and Linux desktop. A new release version GE-Proton7-39 is out now.

Here's the change highlights:

• proton-wine updated to latest bleeding edge
• dxvk updated to git
• vkd3d-proton updated to git
• overwatch 2 freeze fix added (may help other games)
• pulled in upstream proton nvapi fixes
• enabled gamedrive option for ESO by default
• mono updated to 7.4.0
• no-longer-required protonfixes removed for Sonic Adventures 2, Farcry 5 EAC, Origin (thanks Bitwolfies)

For those curious on how to set up Overwatch 2 on Steam Deck, I did cover that before using the Bottles app but since GE-Proton has some fixes in this release and the previous GE-Proton release, here's a video guide on how to do Battle Net and Overwatch 2 directly through Steam:

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Text Guide:

• Download ProtonUp-Qt from Discover.
• Install GE-Proton7-39 from ProtonUp-Qt.
• Close and reload Steam.
• Download the Battle Net launcher.
• Add the Battle Net installer into Steam. Add Game (bottom left) -> Non-Steam game, select it from the list in your Downloads folder (select All Files from the bottom of the file picker to see it).
• Right click on it in Steam, go to Properties and select Compatibility. Tick the box and select GE-Proton7-39.
• Install it and then remove the shortcut.
• Add a new shortcut to the installed Battle Net launcher exe file. Again setting the compatibility on it to GE-Proton7-39.
• Now you're done. You can load it and install Overwatch 2 or anything else from Battle Net and run it inside Steam directly without another app like Bottles or Lutris.