Steam greenlights Deck plugin for installing games from Epic and GOG

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.