Recently, Valve did an update in Proton Experimental that did get the EA app working again. The problem is that it doesn't stick and the EA app will break itself. It might work fine for a few launches, and then suddenly another it just won't work.
It can be really problematic, especially on Steam Deck, as it might cause a spinning Steam logo of doom that requires a reboot of the Steam Deck to get rid of the broken loading.
Here's one way to fix it: what you'll need to do, is remove the Proton files for the game (it works for any game using the EA app). For Steam Deck players, here's a brief video guide that also warns you about save backups and points you in the direction of where you might need to go to make a backup:
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Steam Deck:
- Set EA games to Proton Experimental. Properties -> Compatibility -> Tick the box -> Select Proton Experimental.
- Make a backup of save files (IMPORTANT) as they might be removed during this. I cannot stress this enough, find where the save files are and copy them somewhere safe. JUST DO IT. You can find the Windows folders for games in the “compatdata” folder, and then the ID of the Steam game.
For example:/.steam/root/steamapps/compatdata/*game_id*/ - In the games Properties - Developer - Delete Proton Files
- Launch the game again
Desktop Linux:
- Set EA games to Proton Experimental. Properties -> Compatibility -> Tick the box -> Select Proton Experimental.
- Make a backup of save files (IMPORTANT) as they might be removed during this. I cannot stress this enough, find where the save files are and copy them somewhere safe. JUST DO IT. You can find the Windows folders for games in the “compatdata” folder, and then the ID of the Steam game.
For example:/.steam/root/steamapps/compatdata/*game_id*/ - Delete the ID folder mentioned above.
- Launch the game again.
For save backups, each game is different, it's best to look it up using your favourite search engine first. PCGamingWiki might list where the save files are.
This is the easiest fix I've found so far, that doesn't require the use of Protontricks or swapping Proton versions that could cause other issues (like a broken Proton Prefix) or anything else. Not all games need a save backup, but it's best not to rely on Steam Cloud (and some games don't have it).
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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16 comments
Sims 4 doesn't save in steam cloud or origin's cloud. I learned the hard way. Pour one out for Trevor, whose save is no more. (I don't think Sims 4 is using the new EA app, either.)
1 Likes, Who?
The only way to get rid of such bullshit is to vote with your wallet. So boycotting EA is the only right thing to do ^^
9 Likes, Who?
its just a less than a drop in the ocean for them, they won't notice and they won't care.Of course - as long as enough people still buy that crap, it won't bother them. But to just 'fuck it' because of that is about as clever as to say 'fuck it' to climate conscience behavior because your actions are just a drop in the ocean...
2 Likes, Who?
Not true, it means I have more money to spend on more deserving developers.The only way to get rid of such bullshit is to vote with your wallet. So boycotting EA is the only right thing to do ^^
lol i can't believe people actually think this to this day. voting with your wallet does nothing
10 Likes, Who?
And yet, boycotts sometimes work. Admittedly, usually when they're well organized and relate to a major, clear-cut issue of current relevance.The only way to get rid of such bullshit is to vote with your wallet. So boycotting EA is the only right thing to do ^^
lol i can't believe people actually think this to this day. voting with your wallet does nothing - its just a less than a drop in the ocean for them, they won't notice and they won't care.
But computer games are a good place for relatively low-level, disorganized boycotts to make some difference. There isn't really a need for any particular company's games (contrast with, say, MS Office). You can never play all the computer games out there. So skipping ones put out by companies whose policies annoy you either ethically or in terms of stuff they do that messes with the user experience is essentially cost free for the consumer, who has plenty of other games to buy. Arguably even less than zero cost, because the benefit of (smugness/feeling good about yourself) is probably greater than the near-zero cost of playing different games instead.
But it's not cost free for the corporation. If 2% of potential buyers refrain from buying because of a corporation's practices, that's a loss the size of, say, the Linux platform . . . which seems to be not big enough for an AAA company to actually target, but quite big enough for an AAA company to make the smaller effort of tweaking for Proton or Steam Deck compatibility, so enough to be worth a small behaviour modification. If a corp is scuzzy enough to lose 5% of sales to its reputation, that starts being a significant crimp in profitability.
7 Likes, Who?
How to fix the EA app on Steam Deck and Linux desktop
Don't use it !
3 Likes, Who?
So . . . did you in fact read what I wrote?And yet, boycotts sometimes work. Admittedly, usually when they're well organized and relate to a major, clear-cut issue of current relevance.The only way to get rid of such bullshit is to vote with your wallet. So boycotting EA is the only right thing to do ^^
lol i can't believe people actually think this to this day. voting with your wallet does nothing - its just a less than a drop in the ocean for them, they won't notice and they won't care.
But computer games are a good place for relatively low-level, disorganized boycotts to make some difference. There isn't really a need for any particular company's games (contrast with, say, MS Office). You can never play all the computer games out there. So skipping ones put out by companies whose policies annoy you either ethically or in terms of stuff they do that messes with the user experience is essentially cost free for the consumer, who has plenty of other games to buy. Arguably even less than zero cost, because the benefit of (smugness/feeling good about yourself) is probably greater than the near-zero cost of playing different games instead.
But it's not cost free for the corporation. If 2% of potential buyers refrain from buying because of a corporation's practices, that's a loss the size of, say, the Linux platform . . . which seems to be not big enough for an AAA company to actually target, but quite big enough for an AAA company to make the smaller effort of tweaking for Proton or Steam Deck compatibility, so enough to be worth a small behaviour modification. If a corp is scuzzy enough to lose 5% of sales to its reputation, that starts being a significant crimp in profitability.
As with any form of protest/boycott it needs quite a great deal of organization. Unless a concerted effort is organized and occurs, a consumer not buying something for "ethical reasons" won't have any impact on the bottom line of the organization particularly if its not organized in any meaningful way. Indeed, with computer games, unless it is something egregious most people will continue buying EA games even if they are linux gamers in one form or another. In addition, EA is too large that most linux gamers will end up acquiring an EA game. In short, "voting with your wallet" is stupid and doesn't work and just sounds ridiculous when said.
0 Likes
It didnt work anyway, keep getting dropped to some blue screen where I can't read whats in it. After like 20 tries it works. Sometimes.
0 Likes
rustigsmed Nov 18, 2022
that's annoying - oh wait - still awaiting the announcement of a Steam Deck launch date in Australia .....
Last edited by rustigsmed on 18 November 2022 at 1:19 am UTC
Last edited by rustigsmed on 18 November 2022 at 1:19 am UTC
0 Likes
officernice Nov 18, 2022
BF1 and BF4 still boots up origin for me. I wonder when they'll break my weekend fun.
0 Likes
And yet, boycotts sometimes work. Admittedly, usually when they're well organized and relate to a major, clear-cut issue of current relevance.The only way to get rid of such bullshit is to vote with your wallet. So boycotting EA is the only right thing to do ^^
lol i can't believe people actually think this to this day. voting with your wallet does nothing - its just a less than a drop in the ocean for them, they won't notice and they won't care.
But computer games are a good place for relatively low-level, disorganized boycotts to make some difference. There isn't really a need for any particular company's games (contrast with, say, MS Office). You can never play all the computer games out there. So skipping ones put out by companies whose policies annoy you either ethically or in terms of stuff they do that messes with the user experience is essentially cost free for the consumer, who has plenty of other games to buy. Arguably even less than zero cost, because the benefit of (smugness/feeling good about yourself) is probably greater than the near-zero cost of playing different games instead.
But it's not cost free for the corporation. If 2% of potential buyers refrain from buying because of a corporation's practices, that's a loss the size of, say, the Linux platform . . . which seems to be not big enough for an AAA company to actually target, but quite big enough for an AAA company to make the smaller effort of tweaking for Proton or Steam Deck compatibility, so enough to be worth a small behaviour modification. If a corp is scuzzy enough to lose 5% of sales to its reputation, that starts being a significant crimp in profitability.
As with any form of protest/boycott it needs quite a great deal of organization. Unless a concerted effort is organized and occurs, a consumer not buying something for "ethical reasons" won't have any impact on the bottom line of the organization particularly if its not organized in any meaningful way. Indeed, with computer games, unless it is something egregious most people will continue buying EA games even if they are linux gamers in one form or another. In addition, EA is too large that most linux gamers will end up acquiring an EA game. In short, "voting with your wallet" is stupid and doesn't work and just sounds ridiculous when said.
Wow, what? I haven’t bought an EA game for over 10+ years. It wasn’t hard, there are plenty of other great games.
To every consumerist here claiming that voting with your wallet doesn’t work. It’s not about squashing a company it’s about making better decisions for yourself and not purchasing things because of media attention and marketing campaigns; It is about empowering yourself and others.
Of course if you’re fine with swallowing whatever marketing is jammed into your brain than good for you I guess. Enjoy your endless complaining.
Last edited by itscalledreality on 18 November 2022 at 12:58 pm UTC
5 Likes, Who?
Lol if you feel "empowered" from boycotting a company that really doesn't care - i got some bad news for you. That's like saying you don't like the hot girl in your class that you used to like, who in reality doesn't care whether you live or die. It sounds like a massive cope and makes you look bad, not her.
You're still missing the point. I'm not feeling empowered about boycotting EA, I'm feeling empowered that I don't get trapped into worrying about launchers on my machine because I purchase things mostly from companies not trying to mine every ounce of data from my machine and activities.
EA provides me no value so I don't utilize them. So this "hot girl" never stimulated me there for I have no hasty feelings against them? I'm not even sure of the point of this metaphor.
As for games that were acquired after you purchased them, then don't install and play them if the launcher bugs you, like I said plenty of equally good games not made by EA event ones that are similar to their biggest hits.
Their reputation will hurt them all around, not just on linux - so "voting with your wallet" doesn't do shit for helping linux gaming. In fact it makes our community look like children throwing a tantrum.
No it doesn't and it's not a tactic exclusive to Linux or gamers or Linux gaming.
How long have you worked for EA?
Last edited by itscalledreality on 18 November 2022 at 10:35 pm UTC
3 Likes, Who?
An example of companies not caring about "voting with your wallet" - bungie is willing to neglect the entire Linux/steam deck community with their statement regarding anyone who tries to play their game on linux via a virtual machine will get an instant perma ban and that they have no interest in anti-cheat support for linux. Same with Epic. If you really think that "voting with your wallet" will make EA modify their behavior (given that its larger than both Epic and Bungie), you are delusional, especially given current examples we have. For this reason "voting with your wallet" is amongst the stupidest things I have ever heard
That's not Bungie not caring about people voting with their wallet. That is Bungie choosing to not pursue/support a new(ish) space in the gaming industry. In order for it to count as a company ignoring a "vote with your wallet" issue it must be active customers leaving. Linux gamers had no overlap with bungie users until the steamdeck, and even with the Steamdeck it is still somewhat limited.
0 Likes
Yes I read what you wrote. But you miss out on some important points - if 2% of potential buyers end up not buying the game, they could just as easily have been from windows "sticking up to their ethics" or some shit. Devs have no way of knowing if its from windows or linux.Um, but this isn't about Windows or Linux in the first place? The person you originally responded to did not seem to be boycotting EA because they did anything bad to Linux in particular. Rather, it was about their "ethics or some shit", so it would be just fine if EA got exactly that message, from a mix of Windows and Linux potential buyers not buying.
So OK, I guess you read what I wrote, just didn't read what led you to your initial objection in the first place.
0 Likes
StalePopcorn Nov 22, 2022
Backing up—always a good idea…although I just went ahead and switched to Experimental and it worked.
0 Likes
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