Hello @iplly, we're using one issue report per unofficially supported game title, so I've gone ahead and transferred this issue report to https://github.com/ValveSoftware/Proton/issues/8020#issuecomment-4320739591.
proton experimentalx1 2026-04PROTON_NO_NTSYNC=1x1 2026-04PROTON_NO_NTSYNC=1 %command%x1 2026-04
Compatibility Report
System Information
I confirm:
steam-1422450.log
Symptoms
Deadlock crashes on startup with the error:
FATAL ERROR: Error reading from loaded packed store "S:\common\Deadlock\game\citadel\pak01_XXX.vpk".The exact VPK file number (pak01_XXX.vpk) varies depending on the Proton version, as well as selected graphics backend (Vulkan/DirectX) and launch options.
The error appears in a dialog window after a few seconds of the loading screen, before the main menu is shown.
The issue occurs on modern Proton versions, including Proton Experimental and Proton GE.
Disabling other synchronization mechanisms (e.g., esync/fsync) does not resolve the problem.
The issue persists regardless of installation method:
Cleaning cache files, reinstalling the game, and recreating the Wine prefix does not help.
The issue occurs on both X11 and Wayland sessions.
The game successfully launches only when using the launch option:
PROTON_NO_NTSYNC=1 %command%Reproduction
Open Steam and click "Play" on Deadlock.
The game window appears, shows the loading screen for a few seconds, then a dialog with the VPK error appears and the game crashes.