Play on an existing BDO account with full Steam Overlay integration [Updated 2021]

Update 2/24/2021: BDO is using a new launcher as a result of the transition from Kakao games to Pearl Abyss.

You can still easily log in to your non-Steam BDO account and track your hours via the Steam version of the game.
Full Steam overlay integration now requires the use of (safe) 3rd party software.

Both solutions are offered below.


*Steam Wallet funds can only be used on your Steam BDO account.

Simple Solution — Hours Tracking only:

1.) Manually open or create a shortcut to BlackDesertLauncher.exe

ex: (C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Black Desert Online\BlackDesertLauncher.exe)

2.) Enter your non-Steam BDO username and password and click Start Game to launch the game.

3.) Once you're already playing on your non-Steam account, launch Black Desert Online via Steam. Leave the launcher running in the background while you play.

Advanced Solution* — Full Steam Overlay Integration:

*requires the use of 3rd party software


1.) Create a new folder within your Steam BDO directory named Patched Launcher

ex: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Black Desert Online\Patched Launcher\

2.) Open Notepad

3.) Paste the following text:
*Make sure that the folder path matches the directory of your Steam BDO installation.

• cd C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Black Desert Online\
  BlackDesertLauncher2.exe
  pause

4.) Click File -> Save As...

5.) Set Save as type: to All Files

6.) Name the file BlackDesertLauncher.bat

7.) Navigate to the Patched Launcher folder you just created
ex: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Black Desert Online\Patched Launcher\

8.) Click Save

9.) Download and install Advanced BAT to EXE Converter v4.23 from https://www.battoexeconverter.com/

• ***Note: Proceed at your own risk. This software has been around for years and Windows Defender does not detect any threats. However, one should always be diligent when installing new software onto their system.
  
  If you acquire Advanced BAT to EXE creator from any source other than the developer's website, https://www.battoexeconverter.com/ , the safety of the software cannot be guaranteed.

9.) Launch Advanced BAT to EXE Converter v.4.23

10.) Click File -> Open

11.) Navigate to the Patched Launcher folder where you saved BlackDesertLauncher.bat

12.) Select the BlackDesertLauncher Batch file and click Open

13.) Click File -> Build EXE...

14.) Click Build EXE

15.) Set the file name to BlackDesertLauncher and click Save

16.) Rename the original BlackDesertLauncher.exe found in your BDO installation directory to BlackDesertLauncher2.exe

ex: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Black Desert Online\BlackDesertLauncher2.exe


17.) Copy the custom BlackDesertLauncher.exe from your Patched Launcher folder to your BDO installation directory

ex: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Black Desert Online\BlackDesertLauncher.exe

• *Note: Steam may periodically replace your custom BlackDesertLauncher.exe with its original BlackDesertLauncher.exe. This is why you want to keep a copy of the custom launcher in your Patched Launcher folder.

18.) Set your Steam shortcut to Launch as Administrator

Right click shortcut or Start Menu shortcut -> click Properties -> click Compatibility -> check Launch as Administrator -> click Apply -> click OK

19.) Launch BDO via Steam!
Feel free to close the Command Prompt window that's left open when you're done playing.

[グルスガンマモン]

I so wish they offered a one time account migrations from the Non-Steam to Steam Version. or offered like how Guild Wars 2 does it,Where you put -provider Portal in the Launch options on the GW2 Steam Version to login. Oh Well. Because I'd gladly would give up the non-steam version if it means I can migrate only once and can never go back. But I guess that's to complex, Not even account Merging or having a master account override any inferior accounts Warframe style. I guess it's asking to much. Oh well, At least we have someone offering solutions.

[Danilson]

a nanasheee solution thanks you very much <3

[uwureactionary]

@Ajoule: For the simple solution, you'll launch via the alternate launcher every time.
For the advanced solution you can launch via Steam like you normally would.

@LordTigerFu: As far as I know you'll still receive big updates via Steam. I don't currently have BDO installed so you'll have to try it and see!

[LordTigerFu]

Would the patches be on time, like for example I heard the steam version gets the patches 2-3 hrs late. Would I be getting them on time since I'm using my regular login on the launcher?

[Ajoule]

do i have to use the new launcher every time i want to play or it's just for first time

[Greeeny]

It works, but it seems that you need to have 2 full copies of BDO.

[Dzihatsi]

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2680743837 Free promo codes bdo

[Frozen_Heart]

Thx so much for this one!

[magiccoupons(∩ ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)]

Also, as this was before - when I made a bat2exe to disable AutoHotkey when they used the old AntiCheat, otherwise BDO wouldn't launch, I can only get the overlay to appear if I set Steam to Run as Administrator mode. If anyone is wondering.

[magiccoupons(∩ ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)]

I suppose there's no way of making the launcher remember login details? I have to login each time. Only a slight inconvenience mind you though.