7th Heaven no longer playable via Steam Deck

[Wyzzerd]

As of the newest 7th Heaven update it seems that the mod manager is no able to launch FF7 2013 when ran through Steam library. The 7th Heaven manager will launch, but when attempting to play the game an error message reading “Steam Error - Steam must be running to play this game with achievements SteamAPI_Init failed”. That message is followed by a FF7 game crash. This occurs even with Steam compatibility disabled.

Attempted Fixes:
-Disabling Steam compatibility
-Running without mods
-Full reinstall
-Forcing all available versions of Proton

The game runs normally when 7th Heaven is launched with the desktop application, but not when attempting to launch with Steam. It was running perfectly after the latest Steam update, and immediately started after 7th Heaven manager was updated.

Has anyone else had this issue, know of a potential fix, and/or know if this is also happening with the 2026 Version of FF7?

[ProjectXsent]

Try the MateriaForger.

[Kokoro]

same issue here. it just stopped working today

[Wyzzerd]

Originally posted by ProjectXsent:

Try the MateriaForger.

Material Forge has the same issue.

Originally posted by Kokoro:

same issue here. it just stopped working today

From what I tested so far it’s both a problem with 2026 and 2013. I did see on the Material Forge GitHub there is a canary version that is attempting to fix a similar issue. There are also a few older versions of the manager on the same GitHub that I will test out once I get around to it.

[aes.p]

I have the same problem, but I haven't been able to solve it yet. I'm playing in desktop mode for now.

[Hojo]

Did it ever get fixed?

[eduardogonzalez1988]

Yeah it works on desktop but not in gaming mode anyone have a fix for that?

[HolographicMind]

install via materia forge and the linux install? no issues here

[jperrigan10]

Ran the MateriaForge version. Installed fine, Installed a few mods, did checks and made some adjustments to the settings. Working fine, saved a profile and tried to start a new game. Then, 7th heaven wouldn't load at all. Crashed out, and won't even open at all, in desktop or steam.

[Quantum Operator]

Does adding 7th heaven to non steam games fix this? I havnt had an issue.

[skylanderrobbe]

Ok i had the same issue and after some trouble shooting found out the Steam Deck Auto-Config mod by dotAXIS was the problem. I hope this helps someone.

Edit: i was wrong the setting that "fixes" this is the steam compatibility setting in game driver. (Advanced tab) it still plays without if you dont need achievments and playtime tracker