There’s a new plugin catching the attention of Steam Deck users called Junk Store. It’s designed to bring third-party game stores like Epic Games and GOG straight to the Steam Deck’s Gaming Mode. This intriguing tool has popped up on the Steam Store, thanks to the folks over at GamingOnLinux who flagged its appearance. Similar in spirit to Decky Loader—a platform that lets developers add new features to the Steam Deck—Junk Store aims to make the integration seamless without users having to tinker too much behind the scenes. This is all thanks to its creators, SDK Innovation, who are pushing for it to be recognized as an official Steam Deck app.
From what we gather from its Steam listing, the reinvented Junk Store doesn’t depend on Decky Loader anymore. “Junk Store is now on Steam,” the listing states. “This is a standalone version rebuilt from scratch, letting you install your favorite games from Epic Games Store and GOG right within game mode.”
The developers have taken to r/JunkStore to share more details, explaining that the Steam Store page was part of a plan to measure interest through ‘Add to Wishlist’ clicks. This move serves as an exciting temperature check, though it’s still not a sure bet that Junk Store will be permanently available via the Steam library. That’s up to Valve’s discretion, as it must review and approve software before any final release. Still, the app landing on Steam Store suggests they may have Valve’s tentative go-ahead.
There’s a catch, however—Junk Store won’t be free or open-source on Steam. Due to having rebuilt the app from the ground up to be compatible with SteamOS without relying on Decky Loader functionalities, the developers anticipate needing to charge for it. At this stage, there’s no word on the pricing, since they’re still evaluating development costs and community interest. And as it’s just a two-person team, a launch date is also up in the air.
Being the first Steam Deck plugin to eye an official Store release marks a significant moment. This could pave the way for similar apps in the future. The developers express that their app aims to set a high standard for gamers, creators, and the broader Steam community.
Now, if you’re someone who enjoys tinkering around with your Steam Deck, you might not need this Steam iteration of Junk Store. With Decky Loader, you can run the plugin for free. But for those who prefer to jump straight into gaming without the fuss, having this convenient tool to access your non-Steam games could prove invaluable.
