Allow user-specified game executable

[missionfloyd]

Currently, Steam has an option to add arguments ("Launch Options") when starting a game, but it would also be useful to be able to change which file is executed to begin with.

Some use cases for this:

Games with superfluous launchers (e.g., BioShock, SUPERHOT, Kerbal Space Program). This would allow us to easily bypass them.

Games with mods that require running an alternate executable (e.g., Fallout, Elder Scrolls games). This would make installing such mods much easier, particularly on Steam Deck.

[Shin'iri]

I think that is what right clicking on the game from the list was for. You know clicking on properties then going into Betas.

If you play Subnautica and you want to Mod the game you have to boot from the Experimental version. Which is listed under Properties/Betas. If you want to play Legacy or the Base-Game same thing.

[Start_Running]

That's something the developers have to set up. and to be fair in most cases the devs have a launch option that more or less bypasses the launcher.

[cinedine]

Append a .OLD or .ORG or .BAK (or whatever indicator) to the original executable and rename the one you want to have called instead to whatever the old one was.

Not quite what you were asking for, but I doubt Valve will provide such an option that inevitably leads to people ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ up their shortcuts when developers continously ♥♥♥♥ up the setup by providing the wrong exectuable.

[missionfloyd]

I'm not talking about selecting old versions or betas, and this isn't something the devs would need to do anything about. Just an option next to Launch Options to enter the command/file that's run when a game is launched.

For example, many Fallout 3 mods require Fallout Script Extender, which requires running its fose_loader.exe, which then runs the original Fallout3.exe. Such an option would allow us alter the target of an existing library entry without having to create another shortcut or add it as a non-steam game, which are reasonable solutions on windows, but a bit more complicated on Linux (Steam Deck).

[Start_Running]

Unfortunately the executable is defined on the dev end of things. So pretty much you need to ask the devs.

[Spawn of Totoro]

Originally posted by missionfloyd:

I'm not talking about selecting old versions or betas, and this isn't something the devs would need to do anything about. Just an option next to Launch Options to enter the command/file that's run when a game is launched.

For example, many Fallout 3 mods require Fallout Script Extender, which requires running its fose_loader.exe, which then runs the original Fallout3.exe. Such an option would allow us do so without having to create another shortcut or add it as a non-steam game, which are reasonable solutions on windows, but a bit more complicated on Linux (Steam Deck).

What I do is, I add the .exe as a non-Steam game, then change the name to that of the game, adding "Modded" at the end.

That or just create a desktop shortcut for it.

Originally posted by cinedine:

Append a .OLD or .ORG or .BAK (or whatever indicator) to the original executable and rename the one you want to have called instead to whatever the old one was.

Doesn't quite work as the file for the mod may require the mods .exe to be a specific name as well.

[missionfloyd]

Originally posted by Start_Running:

Unfortunately the executable is defined on the dev end of things. So pretty much you need to ask the devs.

Yes, I know. I'm asking for the ability to override it.

[Satoru]

Originally posted by missionfloyd:

Originally posted by Start_Running:

Unfortunately the executable is defined on the dev end of things. So pretty much you need to ask the devs.

Yes, I know. I'm asking for the ability to override it.

If a game has a launcher its there for a reason and overriding it will, in fact, break many things with that game.

[SillyWalk]

Originally posted by missionfloyd:

Currently, Steam has an option to add arguments ("Launch Options") when starting a game, but it would also be useful to be able to change which file is executed to begin with.

You can use the launch options to do that:

"full_path_to_exe_you_want_to_execute.exe" %command%

[missionfloyd]

Originally posted by Satoru:

If a game has a launcher its there for a reason and overriding it will, in fact, break many things with that game.

Games often (usually, even) run fine without their launchers.

Originally posted by SillyWalk:

You can use the launch options to do that:

"full_path_to_exe_you_want_to_execute.exe" %command%

The problem with that approach is that you're prepending the command, not replacing it. So the original file becomes an argument to the replacement. Some programs might have problems with that.

[Start_Running]

Originally posted by missionfloyd:

Originally posted by Start_Running:

Unfortunately the executable is defined on the dev end of things. So pretty much you need to ask the devs.

Yes, I know. I'm asking for the ability to override it.

That's not something Valve can do since they don't define the setup. or the dependencies. They can't tell devs how to order and structure their software. YOu're better off asking the actual developers to include such a feature or on the forums to ask what the skip launch option is.

[The Jagji]

If its a seconded exe file, why not just add it as a 'Non-Steam Game' to your library? This would basically do what your asking.

[missionfloyd]

Originally posted by TheJagji56th:

If its a seconded exe file, why not just add it as a 'Non-Steam Game' to your library? This would basically do what your asking.

This would create a separate appID, which on Linux means an separate Proton prefix, further complicating things.

Originally posted by Start_Running:

That's not something Valve can do since they don't define the setup. or the dependencies. They can't tell devs how to order and structure their software. YOu're better off asking the actual developers to include such a feature or on the forums to ask what the skip launch option is.

I think you might be misunderstanding me.