Steam greenlights Deck plugin for installing games from Epic and GOG

[zohaibahd]

Highly anticipated: The Junk Store plugin for Decky Loader allows Steam Deck owners to install games from the Epic Games Store and GOG.com alongside their Steam library. It has been a valuable tool for users who claim free games on these platforms or prefer purchasing from alternative PC game stores. Now, the two-person development team behind the plugin has announced that they are officially bringing Junk Store to Steam.

The new version of Junk Store is a "completely rebuilt product," utilizing different technologies designed to run independently of Decky. As a result, it will not be free and open-source like the current version, due to the significant amount of work involved.

The developers have yet to settle on pricing, as they want to gauge user interest first. However, there's no need for concern – the existing plugin will continue to receive updates and may even expand to support additional stores in the future.

While the Steam page lists the plugin as a pre-release that you can add to your wishlist, it still requires Valve's full approval before going live on the platform. However, the developers remain optimistic, and this step already highlights Valve's increasing openness to third-party software on its portable game console, at least for now.

If approved, the Steam version of Junk Store will offer seamless integration with the Deck's Game Mode and Steam's underlying systems. This means users can download and launch non-Steam games without needing to switch to the Deck's desktop mode. It also leverages Steam's interface for game management, with the developers noting that Steam itself will handle much of the process.

The new version also integrates directly with Steam's toolset for handling Proton across games, enabling users to tweak settings like FPS limits through Steam's Quick Access Menu. Additionally, it supports Epic Games achievements, including the EOS overlay.

Devs also teased an unannounced "BIG" feature in the works for Junk Store, which they describe as "most exciting from a user's perspective." However, no further details have been shared.

Compatibility with other major PC game stores has long been a pain point for Steam Deck users. While the handheld is open enough to allow installation of any game storefront or launcher, having an integrated, officially supported solution could be a game-changer in expanding its versatility.

Permalink to story:

Steam greenlights Deck plugin for installing games from Epic and GOG

 

[NumberNine]

Software resellers and their tricky ways.

 

[yRaz]

I'd happily pay for a product that makes gaming more accessible on Linux. What I think might happen is that valve will release it for free and hire the developers to come work for them.

 

[GhostLegion]

I will pay to eliminate Heroic Games Launcher if it means I can consolidate the downloading of my games into one launcher.

That way I can buy from GOG online but play in Steam. I’ll get the best of both worlds

 

[mbrowne5061]

While the Steam page lists the plugin as a pre-release that you can add to your wishlist, it still requires Valve's full approval before going live on the platform. However, the developers remain optimistic, and this step already highlights Valve's increasing openness to third-party software on its portable game console, at least for now.

Valve can read the winds: the FTC is cracking down on digital monopolies (see the recent case against Google), so there is every incentive for Valve to make third-party stores available on their hardware. It will make it much more difficult for anyone to gain traction with a monopoly lawsuit if they can point to their direct acceptance of Epic, GOG, and potentially others, via a plugin that is available on their own store.

Even if the FTC takes issue with the third parties needing a plugin to operate, Valve can likely just say "Our OS is open source. Nothing is stopping them from directly supporting our hardware on their own, nothing except themselves"

 

[GhostLegion]

Turns out this isn't happening after all

That didn't last long - the Junk Store for Steam Deck has its Steam page removed (updated)

A few days ago I wrote about the Junk Store coming to Steam, a special plugin for Steam Deck to bring GOG and Epic Games compatibility unnoficially - but it seems to be a short lived idea.

www.gamingonlinux.com