Modding on the Steam Deck / Linux

This is a beginner's guide to setting up and installing mods for Project DIVA Mega Mix+ on the Steam Deck, and by extension Linux (to some extent). It will also cover some quirks with using the Steam Deck controller, and how to address it.

Preparations: Download Links

You will need the latest version of DIvaModLoader, which you can find below:
DivaModLoader by Skyth[github.com] (.7z file)

Next, you can look for mods such as custom songs or costume changes on GameBanana. Make sure to select Manual Download since we aren't using Diva Mod Manager.
GameBanana - Mods for PDMM+[gamebanana.com]

Keep in mind what game version the mod you are downloading supports. If a mod only supports v1.02 and you are on v1.03, it may not work properly. However, not all mods may say what version they're compatible with, so pay attention to their latest update date and just try them out. Worst case scenario, your game crashes which means it doesn't work.

Here's a few mods that I recommend to get you started with:

• High Refresh Rate[gamebanana.com] (Set vsync = False in config.toml)
  
• Restore Cut Songs[gamebanana.com]
  
• F2nd Song Pack[gamebanana.com]
  
• X Song Pack[gamebanana.com] (Download using Google Drive Alternative)
  
• Remove Unused Sprite Entries[drive.google.com] (Avoids crash from too many sprite entries)

Optional / Bonus Preparations:
If you're looking to add a bunch more songs, there are two things to keep in mind:

PDMM+ has a hard coded limit of 300 songs, if you have more than that, you risk corrupting your save. To resolve this, you can install the Song Limit Patch[gamebanana.com]. It allows up to 2,000 songs to be added, but will "reset" your save data as a separate folder will be created for storing and handling the additional save data when this is running (Note the leaderboard will also be disabled).

Some song packs also may not be compatible with other song packs. While the MM+ Song Pack Compatibility Layer[gamebanana.com] adds compatibility to a majority of them, it won't work for all of them. Check the mod description to see if the song packs you added work with each other.

DivaModManager and Mod Priorities:
When you have a bunch of mods, you'll probably want to consider setting up DivaModManager for mod priority management, as that can be important for making different mods work together (e.g. English Lyrics + Song Packs compatibility). To do that, follow the steps provided here:
Linux Installation Script for DivaModManager[github.com]

Step 1: Navigating to Desktop Mode

The default boot up screen on the Steam Deck brings you to the Gaming Mode. To get to the Desktop Mode, press the STEAM button on the bottom left of your Deck.

This should bring up the menu. Navigate to the bottom where it says Power and select it.

You are then given some options. The one you're looking for is Switch to Desktop. Select that, and after some time you should be brought over to the desktop.

Step 2: Desktop Controls

If you don't have a mouse to connect to your Deck, you'll want to first head to Steam, which should be located on the bottom right of your taskbar. Click it using your trackpad, and select Settings. Head to Controller, and pull up Desktop Configuration.

You're able to set up your controls for Desktop Mode here. The main thing we're looking for is binding a button to act as a right mouse click. There's a lot of customization available, so play around with it and set it up to whatever is most comfortable to you. Just make sure you keep Steam running while in Desktop Mode, or the controls will stop working.

Step 3: File Management & Mod Installation

Scroll back up to the Preparations: Download Links section and make sure you've downloaded the mod loader, as well as any mods you wish to install.

Once that's done, open Dolphin, your file manager located on the bottom left of your taskbar next to Firefox. Pull up the menu, and check the box which says Show Hidden Files (or press Ctrl+H on your keyboard). You'll need to do this or files and folders that start with a dot character won't appear.

Navigate to the following:

/home/deck/.steam/steam/steamapps/common/Hatsune Miku Project DIVA Mega Mix Plus

Start by extracting DivaModLoader to this folder. It will have the following two files, and a folder: dinput8.dll, config.toml, and mods.

Next, extract the mods you have downloaded into the mods folder. You will be able to configure the behavior of the mods and the mod loader respectively by editing the config.toml found in each of the mod's folder and the PDMM+ folder.

Lastly, pull up PDMM+ on Steam (while still in Desktop Mode). Right click and select Properties..., under Launch Options type the following:

WINEDLLOVERRIDES='dinput8.dll=n,b' %command%

Step 4: All Done!

You can now return to Gaming Mode and try launching the game. If everything was done properly, you should be all set!

Extra: Controller Issue

One thing I noticed when playing PDMM+ on the Deck is that the button mapping for the D-pad doesn't line up with the melody icon display.

This can be fixed by going to Customization > Game/Control Config > Key Config.

Note that even though the button press you're mapping it to is being saved, the in-game menu will always show as No Settings, which is quite annoying. You'll just have to map them all at once and test it out afterwards by playing a song.

Additional Linux Info

You should only need to follow this guide to make mods work for GNU/Linux distributions supported by Valve, but there may be some tinkering required for those that aren't. There's a guide posted by PD Addict on GameBanana that goes into what additional changes may need to be done which you can find here:
Linux Setup for Mega Mix+[gamebanana.com]

Conclusion

Thanks for reading, and a big shout out to the modding community!

Feel free let me know if there's anything I missed, or if you would like to see something added.

[HayateButler]

I assume you installed the Song Limit Patch . If you read the description, it explains that the plugin automatically creates a separate save file in order to be able to handle more than 300 songs. The existing old save data is still retained, but you'll need to disable any active mods that puts PDMM+ at over 300 songs.

[Yellow Puffle]

WARNING: If you do this, expect your save data to be wiped. Don't learn the hard way like i did.

[HayateButler]

Yes, you should be fine to just delete mods from the folder when you no longer wish to use them.

As for Eden Project, I don't use it personally, so the only advice I can give regarding the mod is to keep in mind that it's incompatible with a lot of other mods. So if you want to use it, you'll probably have to set up DivaModManager, otherwise it'll be annoying to try and figure out what's breaking the game.

[garbonzoscalliwag]

i have some questions.
1. am i good to just delete mods? i currently have x song list, f2nd song list, and eden song extension. can i just delete these?
2. you probably already know what im gonna ask, but is project eden something that is a good idea to have on deck? thx

[Max]

Here is windows (free!!!)
{LINK REMOVED}https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/software-download/windows10ISO

[a.warringa1]

Thanks for the guide!! Would love to see a step-by-step guide for the Linux modmanager install btw. I have no idea how to even download those files, where to put them or what an instruction like 'the script can be run from the directory you git clone into' even means :D

[Aqua]

Thank you

[Markiplier4President2024]

is there anything to make all songs sung by Kaito?

[knathaleigh]

thanks for the help

[🅰🅽🅶🅴🅻]

Typing this from my deck.
Just wanted to say it works like a charm and thanks for the guide.
Was a long-time fan of PD but wasn't able to grab this one until last night. 