A new plugin called Junk Store has made its way onto the Steam Store, and it’s catching the attention of gamers who use the Steam Deck. Thanks to a shoutout from GamingOnLinux, we got wind of this innovative tool that enables users to run third-party game stores, like Epic Games and GOG, right from the Steam Deck’s Gaming Mode. Think of it like Decky Loader, which also allows for added software features on this handheld console. But here’s the twist—SDK Innovation, the minds behind Junk Store, are pursuing official recognition for their app. They want to make it so smooth that users can run it without the hassle of tweaking settings.
The Steam Store listing reveals, “Junk Store is officially on Steam. We’ve re-engineered it from the ground up to operate independently of Decky Loader. Now, you can easily snag games from both the Epic Games Store and the GOG Store during game mode.”
An official post on the JunkStore subreddit explains the team’s strategy: they want to measure interest in the project by how many times people click “Add to Wishlist.” However, getting Junk Store into the official Steam library isn’t a done deal yet, since Valve still needs to give it the green light. Even so, the Junk Store creators feel that just having their page approved is a promising sign from Valve.
There is a catch, though. Junk Store won’t be offering a free, open-source version on Steam. The developers had to start from scratch to get the app compatible with SteamOS, especially since it no longer relies on Decky Loader’s functionalities. They haven’t nailed down the pricing yet, as they are considering development costs and community interest. As for the release date? That’s still up in the air since the project is currently being handled by just a two-person team.
Despite these hurdles, the duo acknowledges that they are paving the way as the first Steam Deck plugin to make it to the app store. Their announcement highlights the potential impact this could have, suggesting it might set a new standard for gamers, developers, and the entire Steam community.
Now, if you’re someone who loves to dive deep into the technical side of your Steam Deck, you might bypass the Steam version of Junk Store—they’re offering it for free through Decky Loader, after all. But for those who’d rather just dive into their favorite games without any fuss, Junk Store presents an inviting way to reach game purchases made on other platforms.
