- A new Decky Loader plugin for SteamOS makes it easier to play and install non-Steam games
- It allows you to sync multiple game libraries on SteamOS without the need to use other third-party launchers.
- It’s available for download now via GitHub
SteamOS users are probably well aware that playing games from other launchers like Epic Games involves some tinkering, and it can be tedious. The game libraries are only accessible after starting these launchers, and you might encounter many problems when trying to install them.
That’s why community-created tools like Decky Loader come in handy, something I’ve talked about before when they helped improve access to image generation for games. There is now a new plugin in town called Unifideck and created by mubaraknuman, available on GitHub.
I used it on my Lenovo Legion Go S portable gaming PC, and it’s just great. Simply put, Unifideck removes the need to install other game launchers outside of Steam and instead takes your game libraries from these third-party launchers, placing them in your Steam library in separate categories.
It offers the simplest setup process compared to all previous automatic installers for game launchers that appeared early in the Steam Deck lifecycle.
Just like you would install any other Decky Loader plugin (before it is available on the main store), you simply download the Unifideck ZIP file from GitHub, switch back to SteamOS game mode, make sure developer mode is enabled in Decky Loader settings, and install the plugin from the ZIP file.
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Currently, Unifideck only lets you add your GOG, Epic Games, and Amazon Games libraries, but that’s still a major advantage, especially when it comes to avoiding the much-complained Epic launcher.
That said, Unifideck still has a way to go: download speeds are noticeably slower than downloads on Steam itself, and it’s missing Battle.net and Rockstar Games Launcher, but I imagine those implementations will require a bit more work.
However, it’s a good start and there’s not much to complain about. Unifideck not only makes portable gaming much easier, but it will be ideal for any system running SteamOS – and in that regard, it has arrived at the perfect time.
Analysis: the Steam Machine could benefit massively
Valve’s Steam Machine is on the horizon, scheduled to launch in early 2026, and while the majority of the talk around the console-style PC is about its potential price, Decky Loader’s Unifideck plugin is one of the many benefits awaiting Steam Machine buyers.
Unifideck will allow players moving from consoles to PC to use more than just the Steam library, with access to GOG, Epic Games, Amazon Games and potentially even more when the system launches.
And for current PC owners using Microsoft’s Windows 11, having all game libraries easily accessible in one place will streamline gaming experiences without having to use other launchers.
In reality, the only major downside that Steam Machine has left is the lack of support for games that use kernel-level anti-cheat on SteamOS. However, it is hoped that Steam Machine will encourage game developers to consider making these anti-cheat tools compatible with Linux. If this happens, SteamOS will take another significant step forward in terms of its potential to reclaim Windows 11 defectors.
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