Junk Store, an intriguing new plugin, has made its way onto the Steam Store, offering a way to seamlessly run third-party game stores such as Epic Games and GOG straight from the Steam Deck’s Gaming Mode. For those familiar, it resembles the Decky Loader, a handy open-source plugin launcher for the Steam Deck that lets developers add features to the handheld. However, Junk Store’s creators, SDK Innovation, are pushing to have it recognized as an official app by Steam, aiming for a fuss-free experience without requiring users to tweak anything under the hood.
As detailed in the Steam listing, the Junk Store has been completely rewritten to work independently of the Decky Loader. This means you can install and enjoy your favorite Epic Games and GoG titles directly in game mode without needing any other tools. The developers have posted on r/JunkStore, revealing that they launched the Steam Store page to measure interest, gauging it by how many people click ‘Add to Wishlist.’ Even though this doesn’t guarantee Junk Store’s official entry into the Steam library, the developers view Valve’s page approval as a positive sign.
There’s a catch, though. Junk Store won’t be a free and open-source tool on Steam. This change is due to the developers building it from the ground up to ensure smooth operation with SteamOS, intentionally stepping away from some Decky Loader features. As it stands, there’s no word on pricing yet. The developers are still assessing development costs and community interest. Additionally, there’s no set launch date since the project is managed by just two developers.
Despite these hurdles, this move marks a significant step for the Steam Deck community. Junk Store stands as the first plugin aiming for a spot in the app store, potentially setting a trend for future apps that enhance the gaming experience on the platform for players, developers, and the community alike.
For those who enjoy tinkering with their Steam Deck, the Steam version of Junk Store might not be necessary—you could simply use Decky Loader for free. But for gamers who prefer an easy, straightforward setup to access games from multiple platforms, the Junk Store promises a hassle-free solution.
