- A new Decky Loader plugin for SteamOS has made it easier to play and install non-Steam games
- It allows to sync multiple game libraries on SteamOS without having to use other third party launchers
- It is available for download now via GitHub
SteamOS users are probably well aware that playing games from other launchers like Epic Games involves gambling and can be a hassle. Game libraries can only be accessed after launching these launchers and there are lots of problems you may encounter when you try to install them.
That’s why community-made tools like Decky Loader are very handy, which I’ve covered before as it helped improve access to frame generation for games. Now there is a new plugin in town known as Unifideck and made by mubaraknuman which is available on GitHub.
I’ve been using it on my Lenovo Legion Go S gaming handheld and it’s nothing short of brilliant. Simply put, Unifideck removes the need to install other game launchers outside of Steam and instead takes your game libraries from those third-party launchers and places them in your Steam library within separate categories.
It has the easiest setup process compared to any of the previous auto-installers for game launchers that came early in Steam Deck’s life cycle.
As you would install any other Decky Loader plugin (before it’s available in the main store), simply download the Unifideck ZIP file from GitHub, go back to SteamOS game mode, ensure that developer mode is enabled in Decky Loader’s settings, and install the plugin from the ZIP file.
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Currently, Unifideck only allows you to add your GOG, Epic Games, and Amazon Games libraries, but it’s still a big advantage, especially when it comes to avoiding the much complained about Epic launcher.
That said, Unifideck still has a way to go: download speeds are noticeably slower compared to downloads on Steam itself, and it lacks Battle.net and the Rockstar Games Launcher, but I imagine those implementations will take a bit more work.
It’s a good start, though, and there’s not much to complain about. Not only does Unifideck make handheld gaming that much easier, but it will be ideal for any system running SteamOS – and in that regard, it’s come at the perfect time.
Analysis: The Steam machine could benefit greatly from this
Valve’s Steam Machine is on the horizon, set to launch in early 2026, and while most of the discourse surrounding the console-like PC is about its potential price tag, Decky Loader’s Unifideck plugin is one of the many perks awaiting Steam Machine buyers.
Unifideck will allow gamers 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 readily available in one place will keep the gaming experience streamlined without having to mess around with other launchers.
Really, the only major downside left for the Steam Machine is the lack of support for games that use core-level anti-cheat on SteamOS. However, the hope is that Steam Machine will encourage game developers to consider making these anti-cheat tools compatible with Linux. If that happens, SteamOS will take another significant step forward in terms of its potential to grab Windows 11 defectors.
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