About
Psi-Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy is a 2004 action game by Midway Games that puts players in the role of a black-ops soldier who recovers telekinetic, pyrokinetic, and mind-control powers to fight a rogue psi organization. Its physics-driven telekinesis system was remarkable for its era and the game developed a cult following. The PC version was released as freeware by Midway in 2008 and runs on Steam Deck via GE-Proton, though the framerate must be capped to 60fps (running above 60 breaks the engine's framerate-tied physics) and ThirteenAG's Widescreen Fix is recommended.
Identity
Launch
- Binary
- PsiOps.exe
- Needs files
-
- Psi-Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy PC game files (supply your own legally-obtained copy)
Proton
- Version
- GE-Proton
- Winetricks
- —
⚙ Setup notes
Overview: Psi-Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy is a 2004 third-person action game by Midway Games in which players use telekinetic and mind-control powers to fight through military enemies. The PC version was released in 2004 and has never appeared on Steam or GOG.
Legal status: In 2008, Midway made the PC version available as a free freeware download bundled with optional adware (which is no longer active). The game is therefore freely and legally distributable; supply your own copy of the game files.
Adding to Steam: In Desktop Mode, add PsiOps.exe as a Non-Steam Game in Steam. Under *Properties → Compatibility*, force GE-Proton (install via ProtonUp-Qt if not already present).
Framerate cap — critical: The Psi-Ops engine is framerate-dependent. Running above 60fps causes bugs — ladders can kill the player, jumping may not register, and the character ghosts when moving. Cap the framerate to 60fps. The cleanest fix is ThirteenAG's d3d9 wrapper (d3d9.dll + d3d9.ini with FPSLimit=60) included with the Widescreen Fix below; alternatively use the Steam Deck's built-in per-game frame limiter (Performance overlay → Frame Limit → 60) or enable in-game Vsync. 60fps is the target — 30fps is not required and the game is fully playable at 60.
Essential mod — Widescreen Fix: Install ThirteenAG's WidescreenFixesPack Psi-Ops fix (copy the files next to PsiOps.exe). It corrects resolution, aspect ratio, HUD, field of view, and FMV cutscenes for 16:9, and its bundled d3d9 wrapper handles the 60fps limit. Set the desired resolution in PsiOpsTheMindgateConspiracy.WidescreenFix.ini.
Controller mapping: The game was originally designed for Xbox/PS2 controllers but the PC version's controller detection may not automatically map the Deck inputs correctly. Apply a community Steam Deck controller layout from Steam Input (search in the community layouts for "Psi-Ops" — several configurations have been shared). Alternatively, create a manual layout mapping the game's keyboard bindings to Deck buttons.
Graphics settings: Without the Widescreen Fix the game is limited to 4:3 resolutions (e.g. 1024×768 or 1280×1024). With the Widescreen Fix installed you can set the Deck's native 1280×800. GE-Proton handles the Direct3D 9 rendering without additional winetricks.
Stability: The game may crash on level transitions or after extended sessions under certain Proton versions. If instability occurs, try the previous GE-Proton release.
Confirmed playthrough: Community members including the YouTube series *"Barry Plays Psi-Ops"* have confirmed a full playthrough is achievable on Steam Deck hardware.
The one thing to know
Supply your own copy: Never released on Steam or GOG. The PC version was made freeware by Midway in 2008 — supply your own legally-obtained copy of the game files.
60fps cap is mandatory: The engine is framerate-tied. Running *above* 60fps breaks ladders, jumping, and movement. Cap to 60fps via ThirteenAG's d3d9 wrapper (FPSLimit=60), the Deck's per-game frame limit, or in-game Vsync. 30fps is not required.
Install the Widescreen Fix: ThirteenAG's WidescreenFixesPack Psi-Ops fix corrects resolution, aspect ratio, HUD, FOV, and FMVs, and bundles the d3d9 frame limiter. Copy its files next to PsiOps.exe.
Controller layout: Default Steam Deck button mapping may not work correctly. Apply a community Steam Input layout for Psi-Ops or create a manual mapping.
No Steam app ID: Added as a non-Steam shortcut only; no Steam cloud saves or overlay features.
Community guides
Write-ups and threads from people who got this (or a similar) game running. deckport links to them — it doesn't reproduce them.
Get the artwork
deckport never hosts game images. Open this game on SteamGridDB, pick
the cover / hero / logo / icon you like, and drop them into the
game folder under .deckport-art/ before you push it to the
Deck. The importer files them under the right names automatically.
Run it on your Deck
Two files: the one-time importer (deckport.py) in your
Deck's home folder, and this game's install helper. Copy the game
into ~/Games and run the helper with Steam closed — it
writes the recipe (binary, launch options, Proton version)
and registers the shortcut with artwork.