Flatpak [Steam Deck] can't enter agent name (typing is ignored), prevents playing entirely

[randomname42]

I installed Dark Forces to the micro sd in my Steam Deck. When I launched flatpak The Force Engine it didn't see that the game was installed via Steam, so I copied all the files from the Game folder to /home/deck/.var/app/io.github.theforceengine.tfe/data/

After the intro when starting a new game, for some reason I can't make a new agent. Anything I type in the box asking you to enter your name is ignored. It's like it doesn't see my typing at all. I can hit escape to cancel or click no to cancel, but that's it.

As I can't make an agent, I can't even start playing the game.

I'm playing docked with a mouse and keyboard, not using the Steam Deck's touchscreen keyboard.

This seems very similar to an issue with the GZDoom engine on Steam Deck. As it might be relevant, here's what I'm talking about: Steam Deck: Game doesn't accept keyboard input when trying to type in text fields.

Even though that fix for the GZDoom flatpak on Steam Deck mentions the on-screen keyboard specifically, it also works for a physical keyboard too.

Is there a way to tell The Force Engine that you're on a Steam Deck so that it will work correctly?

[BPzeBanshee]

You've actually gotten further than I on this one - TFE softlocked for me (nothing was clickable) when trying to run it since the flatpak sandboxing stopped it from being able to find the games, and I haven't been able to find the folder where it's supposed to have the config and stuff yet.

[randomname42]

You've actually gotten further than I on this one - TFE softlocked for me (nothing was clickable) when trying to run it since the flatpak sandboxing stopped it from being able to find the games, and I haven't been able to find the folder where it's supposed to have the config and stuff yet.

I copied the contents of the Steam install's game folder (install path/steamapps/common/Dark Forces/Game/) into /home/deck/.var/app/io.github.theforceengine.tfe/data/

[BPzeBanshee]

I copied the contents of the Steam install's game folder (install path/steamapps/common/Dark Forces/Game/) into /home/deck/.var/app/io.github.theforceengine.tfe/data/

Cheers for that one mate, between you and lad on Discord I was able to copy stuff over and get the game to recognise the files. Also tried replying to this via Github's email thing but that didn't seem to work, so sorry if this seems like a duplicate.

How's your experience with inputs? For me, I had to actually disable Steam Input in the game settings when invoking TFE through Steam's Gaming Mode to avoid softlocked inputs using just the Steam Deck controls. Combined with your solution I was able to get it going smoothly. :)

[randomname42]

I'm using my Steam Deck docked with a tv, mouse, keyboard, and external controller, because I found over time that holding the Steam Deck itself was just not ergonomic for me at all. The tv's scaling in Game mode is also atrociously blurry so I only use Desktop mode.

I've tried every combination:

1. Steam input (default), use desktop configuration in launcher: on
2. Steam input (off), use desktop configuration in launcher: on
3. Steam input (enabled), use desktop configuration in launcher: on
4. Steam input (default), use desktop configuration in launcher: off
5. Steam input (off), use desktop configuration in launcher: off
6. Steam input (enabled), use desktop configuration in launcher: off

None of those have allowed me to type in an agent name, so I still cannot play.

I'm very confused why turning Steam input off worked for you. I can't get past agent name entry no matter what I try.

[BPzeBanshee]

Apologies for the delayed response, I should clarify and say that having already had an agent profile, I was able to get ingame without needing to put in a name.

That said, in some testing I was also able to hit the Steam+one of the back buttons iirc which mapped to the Enter key, and create a nameless agent. Maybe that might work for you?

[randomname42]

I was late in seeing this myself.

Because I play docked I configured (via Steam input) the start button on an external controller to act like the enter key. I also tried binding a letter on the keyboard a controller button to see if typing in a name would be possible that way.

Even binding a keyboard letter to an external controller did not allow letters to be typed for agent name entry.

Surprisingly, binding enter to the start button did in fact let me make a nameless agent. I had no idea this game let you do that. I can't recall another game which let's you make a name with no characters. But thankfully it's possible to play now because of that.