A fresh addition to the Steam Store is turning heads—Junk Store, a plugin that allows you to seamlessly run third-party game stores like Epic Games and GOG directly from the Gaming Mode on your Steam Deck. This nifty tool was spotted thanks to GamingOnLinux, and it shares some similarities with Decky Loader, which is an open-source tool that lets developers bring extra features to the Steam Deck. The twist here is that the folks behind Junk Store, known as SDK Innovation, are aiming to make it an officially recognized app for the Steam Deck, saving users from having to tinker behind the scenes.
The description on Steam paints a clear picture: “Junk Store is now on Steam. It’s a standalone version completely rewritten to eliminate the need for the Decky Loader. Now you can download your favorite games from Epic Games Store and GOG Store directly in game mode.”
According to a post on the r/JunkStore subreddit, the developers are using the Steam Store page to measure how much interest the project is generating, primarily by tracking ‘Add to Wishlist’ clicks. It’s not set in stone that Junk Store will become an official part of the Steam library just yet. Valve still needs to review the software before it’s given the green light, but the developers see the listing’s approval as a subtle nod from Valve.
One thing that might disappoint some users is that Junk Store won’t be an open-source or free addition to Steam. The app had to be rebuilt from scratch in order to integrate smoothly with SteamOS, now that it isn’t relying on the capabilities offered by Decky Loader. At this stage, there’s no information on how much the app will cost. The creators are weighing development costs against community interest, and they’re still deciding on a release window since they’re working with a small team of just two developers.
Nevertheless, Junk Store is breaking ground as the first Steam Deck plugin to venture into the app store, setting a new precedent that could enhance the gaming experience for players, developers, and the wider Steam community alike.
For those who enjoy a bit of under-the-hood tinkering with their Steam Deck, the Steam version of Junk Store might not be necessary since you can use Decky Loader for free. But if you’re the kind of person who wants to dive straight into gaming without any setup fuss, Junk Store could be a fantastic solution for accessing games purchased on other platforms.
