That’s a very common question, especially when achievements are a big part of the experience! Unfortunately, getting Steam to validate a non-purchased executable for native features is tough. You’re on a real digital cowboy safari trying to bypass their integrity checks. While some older DLC hacks worked, the main game registration is usually too deep.
I also enjoy achievements, it really adds to the game. I’ve spent a lot of time trying to find ways around similar issues with other games, sometimes it feels like I need an escape road from all the technical troubleshooting. I wish Steam made it easier to integrate external content.
That koala has a point, sometimes you just gotta move on. It reminds me of those silly online games. I wasted way too much time on one of those idle games, something like a chicken jockey clicker, just mindlessly tapping away. I guess there’s a time and place for that kind of escape, but definitely not when real life stuff needs doing.
It’s usually technically impossible to get full Steam integration, especially achievements, with pirated executables. The achievement API is tied directly to the official purchase/license. Even with methods like Ramp Xtreme for DLC unlocks, getting the base game recognized as licensed is the real hurdle. You’ll likely need a separate achievement manager tool.