🎮 Play XenoSO on Your Steam Deck
This guide will help you install and run XenoSO (The Sims Online) on Steam Deck or Linux. Installation takes about 10-15 minutes.
✅ Works in Desktop Mode
✅ Easy-to-use launcher with auto-download
✅ Full controller support in Gaming Mode
✅ Auto-configures for Steam Deck!
✨ Launcher Features
- 🔍 Smart Game Detection - Automatically finds your game installation!
- 🖥️ Desktop Shortcut Creator - One-click shortcut creation
- 🎮 Add to Steam Button - Easy Gaming Mode integration
- 🚀 Proton & Native Support - Choose your launch method
- ⚡ Force Quit Button - Kill frozen game processes instantly
- 📊 Server Status Display - See online players and Xenovia time
📋 Installation Steps
Step 1: Switch to Desktop Mode
Press the Steam button, then go to Power → Switch to Desktop
Step 2: Set a Password (If You Haven't Already)
Open Konsole (terminal) and type:
passwd
Create a password when prompted. Remember this password!
Step 3: Download & Run Installer
In Konsole, copy and paste these commands one at a time:
cd ~/Desktop
wget https://xenoso.space/XSOLinux/install_xenoso.sh
chmod +x install_xenoso.sh
./install_xenoso.sh
What happens:
- You'll be asked to press ENTER to continue
- Enter your password when asked
- It will install Python libraries (takes 1-2 minutes)
- Downloads the launcher
- Creates a desktop icon
Step 4: Launch XenoSO Launcher
Double-click the "XenoSO Launcher" icon on your desktop!
The launcher will automatically detect if you have the game installed already.
Step 5: Install the Game
- In the launcher, click "Installer" tab
- Click "Download & Install Full Game"
- Wait for it to download (~7GB, takes 5-20 minutes depending on internet)
- The game will be ready to play!
Step 6: Play!
- Click "Home" tab
- Check that Game Status shows "✓ XSO Client ready to play!"
- Click the big green "PLAY" button
- Wait a few seconds for the game to start
- Enjoy XenoSO! 🎉
⚙️ Settings & Tips
Launch Method Settings
Go to "Settings" tab to choose how the game launches:
- Proton (Recommended) - Best compatibility, mouse cursor works correctly
- Native Linux (Mono) - Runs natively but has some visual glitches
Game Won't Launch?
- Go to Settings tab in launcher
- Make sure "Proton" is selected (recommended)
- Try clicking PLAY again
Game Frozen or Won't Close?
Click the red "Force Quit Game" button in the launcher to kill any hanging processes!
Want to Play in Gaming Mode?
Option 1: Use the launcher button (Easiest!)
- Open the launcher
- Go to Settings tab
- Click "Add to Steam Library"
- Follow the instructions shown
Option 2: Manual method
- Open Steam (in Desktop Mode)
- Click Games → Add a Non-Steam Game to My Library
- Click Browse
- Navigate to:
/home/deck/XenoSO/game/The Sims Online/XSO Client/
- Select FreeSO.exe
- Click Add Selected Programs
- Right-click the game in your library → Properties
- Go to Compatibility tab
- Check "Force the use of a specific Steam Play compatibility tool"
- Select "Proton Experimental"
- Now you can launch it from Gaming Mode!
Updating the Game
- Open XenoSO Launcher
- Click "Updater" tab
- Click "Download & Install Patch"
- Done!
🔧 Troubleshooting
"pip: command not found" Error
The installer should handle this automatically. If you see this error, the installer will install pip for you.
"Proton Not Found" Error
- Open Steam
- Go to Settings → Compatibility
- Enable "Enable Steam Play for all other titles"
- Select "Proton Experimental"
- Restart Steam
- Try launching again
Game Crashes or Won't Start
- Make sure you downloaded the full game (not just the patch)
- Click the red "Force Quit Game" button
- Try launching again
- Check Discord for support!
Installer Won't Run
Make sure you made it executable:
chmod +x ~/Desktop/install_xenoso.sh
Then try running it again.
Can't Find Konsole
- Click the Application Launcher (bottom-left, Steam Deck logo)
- Type "Konsole"
- Click to open
🆘 Still Need Help?
Join the XenoSO Discord for support!
📝 Manual Installation (Advanced)
If the installer doesn't work, you can install manually:
# Set password
passwd
# Disable read-only
sudo steamos-readonly disable
# Install dependencies
sudo pacman -S python-pip
sudo steamos-readonly enable
# Install Python libraries
python3 -m pip install --user --break-system-packages customtkinter requests
# Download launcher
mkdir -p ~/XenoSO
wget -O ~/XenoSO/xso_launcher.py https://xenoso.space/XSOLinux/xso_launcher.py
# Run launcher
python3 ~/XenoSO/xso_launcher.py
🎯 Quick Reference
Launch Launcher:
python3 ~/XenoSO/xso_launcher.py
Re-enable Read-Only Mode:
sudo steamos-readonly enable
Check if Game is Installed:
ls ~/XenoSO/game/The\ Sims\ Online/XSO\ Client/FreeSO.exe
✨ Have fun in XenoSO! See you in Xenovia! 🏡