I’ve spent ages trying to get the original 1998 X-Files PC game running on my Steam Deck OLED.
I’ve tried different Proton versions, QuickTime workarounds, the DVD version, Collection Chamber releases and various methods of mounting the original discs. Nothing worked properly.
Well, I’ve finally got it running, and surprisingly it was almost effortless!
Here’s what I did:
Install Lutris on the Steam Deck.
In Desktop Mode, visit https://lutris.net/games/the-x-files-game/
Select the 7 CD + Windows 95 installer.
Let Lutris download and install the required files.
Launch the game through Lutris. It’ll boot into an emulated Windows 95 desktop.
Open My Computer and double-click the Xfiles1 CD drive (E:).
Run the game’s installer and launch it.
Add the game to Steam and launch it from Gaming Mode.
That’s genuinely all I had to do.
It’s running through DOSBox Pure Unleashed with an emulated Windows 95 installation.
The FMV, audio and mouse controls are working perfectly on my Deck. I haven’t needed to manually install QuickTime, configure Proton or mount any ISO files.
A couple of things worth mentioning:
Windows 95 can take a while to boot. Initially I thought it had crashed, but it was just loading.
DOSBox Pure has its own settings menu for adjusting scaling and controls.
I’ve tested it running in Gaming Mode, not just Desktop Mode.
I haven’t tested the entire game or every disc change yet.
I know quite a few people have been trying to get this running for years, so hopefully this saves someone else the headache!
edit: Sorry, should have added that you should just do “standard” installation when prompted.