OctoWow - Forums

Did anyone have success installing it on Linux? I tried installing it with Lutris but it does not open the installer.

use the steam runtime

No, it does not work as a non steam game.
I'm a linux rookie but i managed to open the launcher by selecting 'open with wine windows program loader'.
From what i can tell it installs the installer in ram. A good first step but further i cannot select an installation path because of compatibility issues with the installer, not all buttons work.

Never mind, fixed.

i tried on lutris too but wouldnt load currently installing directly through wine ill keep you posted even if i can get on the login screen as servers are down

I was able to install and get the game running using Lutris and the direct game client.

1. Download the client.
2. Add locally installed game in Lutris.
3. Select Wine for the game runtime.
4. Set the version to proton 8.0 or 9.0. (The most recent versions of proton did not work for me.)

Mackdaddy420 wrote: Thu Apr 30, 2026 7:53 am i tried on lutris too but wouldnt load currently installing directly through wine ill keep you posted even if i can get on the login screen as servers are down

Can access the game easier via Wine but managing felt better going through lutris - ie playing in windowed mode via lutris there seems to be a weird camera lockon angle changer / mouse pointer when you left or right clicked anywhere in the game.

Had issues installing via lutris.

My fix was install via Wine -> then add via lutris

i also had to install gamescope and set relative mouse mode to play windowed via lutris , if not the mouse pointer goes invisible the minute your mouse pointer leaves the WoW application.

Im new to the linux environment so i mightve gone a roundabout way to fix it but seems to work awesome now.

I use Steam for its Proton layer; I find it makes things simple.
1) Add the launcher as a non-steam game
2) right click, properties
3) Force compatibility and select Proton 9
4) Launch

OctoWoW on Linux (Debian 13 / Trixie) using Steam + Proton GE
Requirements

Before starting, make sure you have:

Steam installed (via .deb or official packages)
Working GPU drivers (NVIDIA / AMD)
Vulkan support enabled
Basic terminal access
1. Install Vulkan tools (if needed)
sudo apt install vulkan-tools

Check your GPU Vulkan setup:

vulkaninfo | grep deviceName

You should see your actual GPU (not llvmpipe).

2. Enable Steam Play (Proton)

In Steam:

Go to
Steam → Settings → Compatibility

Enable:

✔ Enable Steam Play for supported titles
✔ Enable Steam Play for all other titles

Then select:

Latest GE-Proton version (recommended)
3. Install GE-Proton

Install Proton GE using pipx:

pipx install protonup
protonup

This installs GE-Proton into:

~/.steam/root/compatibilitytools.d/
4. Add OctoWoW launcher to Steam
Open Steam
Click Add a Non-Steam Game
Select:
OctoLauncher.exe
Game installation step (IMPORTANT)

When you first run OctoLauncher inside Proton, it will ask where to install the game files.

Choose a dedicated folder, for example:

~/Games/OctoWoW/

or any directory you prefer outside the Proton prefix for easier access.

5. Add the actual game to Steam

After installation is complete:

Open Steam again
Click Add a Non-Steam Game
Select:
WoW.exe from your installation folder

Example path:

~/Games/OctoWoW/WoW.exe
6. Set Proton for the game

In Steam Library:

Right click WoW.exe
Properties → Compatibility
✔ Force compatibility tool
Select:
GE-Proton (latest) or Proton 10+