A fascinating development is taking shape in the gaming world, especially for Steam Deck users. A new plugin called Junk Store has surfaced on the Steam Store, and it’s generating quite a buzz. This handy tool allows for the integration of third-party game stores, like Epic Games and GOG, directly on Steam Deck’s Gaming Mode. It’s quite similar to Decky Loader, known for bringing extra features to the handheld device, but there’s a twist. The creators, SDK Innovation, aim to have Junk Store officially recognized on the Steam platform, making it easier for users to install without needing to tweak settings or configurations.
The Steam listing shares some intriguing insights, stating, “Junk Store is now on Steam. This is a standalone version rewritten from the ground up to remove the dependency on Decky loader. Now you can install your favourite games from the Epic Games Store and the GoG Store right within game mode.” It seems like the developers are eager to see how much interest this project will garner by tracking how many folks add it to their wishlists. However, it’s important to note that this isn’t a sure-fire sign that Junk Store will definitely be part of the Steam library, as “Valve will still have to review the software before final release.” Nonetheless, the team behind it feels that having a Steam page indicates a subtle thumbs up from Valve.
One thing to keep in mind is that Junk Store won’t be open-source on Steam. The reason? Its developers had to build it from scratch to ensure everything runs smoothly on SteamOS. They also decided to forgo using some of Decky Loader’s functionalities to achieve this. As of now, there’s no word on how much it will cost, since the developers are still figuring out development expenses and gauging community interest. They haven’t set a launch date either, largely because they’re just a small, two-person team.
Even with these uncertainties, the creators understand they’re in a groundbreaking position—being the first Steam Deck plugin to make it to the app store is no small feat. They hope Junk Store paves the way for future plugins and provides a positive experience for gamers, developers, and the Steam community as a whole.
Now, if you’re someone who enjoys customizing your Steam Deck, you might not need this new Steam version of Junk Store since you can run the free Decky Loader. But for those who just want uncomplicated access to their other-platform games, Junk Store would be a welcome addition.
