This guide will help you install MelonLoader and mods for The Long Dark on Linux or Steam Deck.
The Long Dark has a native Linux version, but MelonLoader currently has compatibility issues with native Linux builds. By forcing the game to run through Proton, you'll use the Windows version in a compatibility layer, which works much better with MelonLoader.
- Open Steam
- Find The Long Dark in your library
- Click the small cogwheel icon next to the Play button
- Select Properties
- Go to the Compatibility tab
- Check the box for "Force the use of a specific Steam Play compatibility tool"
- In the dropdown menu, select Proton Experimental
- Launch the game at least once and let it update completely
- Close the game
- Switch to Desktop Mode (if on Steam Deck)
- Open Firefox
- Go to https://melonwiki.xyz/
- Download the Linux native installer
- Open the file manager (Dolphin)
- Navigate to your Downloads folder
- Find MelonLoaderInstaller.linux
- Right-click on it → Properties → Permissions tab
- Check "Is executable" or "Allow executing file as program"
- Close the properties window
- Launch the MelonLoader installer (double-click the file)
- When prompted to add a game, select The Long Dark from the list
- The installer automatically detects installed Unity games
- If 0.7.2 is not on the list of versions, click the checkbox that says "Enable nightly builds".
- Make sure the version dropdown shows 0.7.2-ci.2388 or greater.
- Click Install
- Look for grey text that says "How do I start MelonLoader?" - click it
- Copy the launch argument shown (should look like:
WINEDLLOVERRIDES="version=n,b" %command%)
- Go back to Steam
- Open your Library
- Find The Long Dark and open Properties again
- Look for the Launch Options field
- Paste the text you copied:
WINEDLLOVERRIDES="version=n,b" %command% - Close the properties window
- Launch the game once with MelonLoader 0.7.2
- Note: The first launch may take a while - be patient!
- Let it sit and load completely
- A Mods folder will be created in your game directory
- To find your game directory:
- Right-click The Long Dark in Steam → Manage → Browse local files
- Download mods from the mod list (usually as .zip files)
- Extract the mod files
- Place the extracted files into the Mods folder:
- .dll files go in the Mods folder
- ModComponent folders go in the Mods folder
- If a mod has a Plugins folder, those files go in a separate Plugins folder
- Do not place the .zip file itself in the Mods folder
Linux Note: When extracting, Linux often creates an extra containing folder. Make sure you move the actual mod files (DLLs and ModComponent folders) into the Mods folder, not a folder containing them.
- ModSettings is recommended - it adds an in-game menu to configure mods
- Avoid "Auto Updating Plugin" - it can cause crashes on Linux
- Many mods require ModComponent - download it if mods aren't working
Before modding, back up your save files:
- Navigate to:
~/.local/share/Hinterland/TheLongDark/ - Copy your save folders to a safe location
- Alternatively, use backup tools available on the modlist
- Make sure there's no version.dll file in the same folder as the installer
- This file is MelonLoader's hook and will try to hook into the installer itself
- Verify files are extracted from zip files
- Check that .dll files are directly in the Mods folder
- Make sure you're running MelonLoader 0.7.2.
- MelonLoader Wiki: Everything about MelonLoader
- The Long Dark Modlist: Find newest mods here
- Discord: For live help, join the TLD modding community Discord
Older guides mention Protontricks and terminal commands. These methods are outdated. The native Linux MelonLoader installer handles everything automatically and is actually more stable than the Windows installer.
You don't need to touch the terminal for this setup!
Credits: This guide is based on instructions from Kibbles, the community's Linux modding expert.