Getting Zenless Zone Zero Running on Your Steam Deck

Getting Zenless Zone Zero Running on Your Steam Deck

Zenless Zone Zero is finally out, and yes, it runs on the Steam Deck! While it does require a bit of manual installation, I’m here to guide you through the process step by step. Let’s get started!

Step 1: Switch to Desktop Mode

First, you need to switch your Steam Deck to desktop mode. Go to the power options and select Switch to Desktop. Once it restarts, you’ll be in desktop mode.

Step 2: Install Google Chrome

Next, open your internet browser. I recommend using Google Chrome for ease of use, especially if you have Google Sync enabled. If Chrome isn’t installed, head to the Discover store, search for “Chrome,” and install it.

Step 3: Download the Installer

Once you’re in Chrome, go to zenless offical website and click on the download link at the top. Choose to download via Hoo Player, and save it somewhere accessible, like your Downloads folder. Just a heads-up: Roblox doesn’t work, so if you have it, you might want to uninstall that.

Step 4: Add to Steam

After the download completes, navigate to the folder where the installer is saved. Right-click on the installer and select Add to Steam. Make sure Steam is running in the background; if the game doesn’t show up in your library, restart Steam.

Step 5: Adjust Compatibility Settings

Find the Zener Zone Zero installer in your library, click on the settings cog, and select Properties. Under Compatibility, enable it and set it to Proton Experimental. Ensure your Steam Deck is updated as needed. Once that’s set, hit Play to launch the installer.

Step 6: Run the Installer

Follow the prompts in the installer, including agreeing to the Visual C++ installer. If you want to install it on an SD card, choose the custom installation option; otherwise, it’s fine to stick with the default location.

Once installation is complete, hit Finish and launch the Hoo Player. You’ll need to download the game itself next. If you run into storage issues, just quit and try again; it should revert to the default location.

Step 7: Link Your Account

After the game finishes downloading, click Start Game. It’s recommended to link your account using a standard email and password for cross-device compatibility. Avoid social logins for better linking.

Step 8: Keeping the Game Up to Date

If you want to ensure the game remains up to date, you can rerun the installer without uninstalling the game. This will keep your Hoo Player updated while maintaining your game installation.

Step 9: Accessing the Game Directly

To access the game directly, open Dolphin Explorer, navigate to Home > Deck, and look for the hidden Steam folder. Enable Show Hidden Files in the menu if necessary. From there, go to .steam > steamapps > compatdata and locate the folder with the long number corresponding to your installation.

Inside that, navigate to pfx > drive_c > Program Files and find the Hoo Play folder. Inside, look for the zenless zone zero directory and right-click the zenlesszonezero.exe file to add it to Steam.

Step 10: Finalizing the Shortcut

Change the compatibility settings for this new shortcut to Proton Experimental as well. This way, you can launch the game directly without going through the launcher.

Step 11: Switching Back to Game Mode

Finally, switch back to Game Mode. Your game should now appear under the non-Steam Library section. If it doesn’t launch properly, check the compatibility settings again.

And there you have it! You’re all set to enjoy zenless zone zero on your Steam Deck. I’ll be putting together a best settings guide soon to help you optimize your gameplay. Until then, happy gaming, and see you in the next one!