How to Install and Play Games from the Epic Games Store on Steam Deck

The Steam Deck reigns as one of the premier choices for PC gaming on the go, offering a cost-effective alternative to its pricier counterparts. Beyond its ability to seamlessly play Steam games, this device impresses with its extensive customization options.

If you’re thinking about enhancing your gaming experience, you might be curious about whether you can play games from the Epic Games Store on this device. The answer is yes, and here’s a simple guide on how to install the Epic Games Store on your Steam Deck to expand your gaming library.

Setting Up the Heroic Games Launcher on Steam Deck

Begin by installing the Heroic Games Launcher on your Steam Deck. Opting for Heroic over the official Epic Games Store app is advantageous as Heroic is specifically designed for Linux systems, ensuring a seamless gaming experience on your device.

Start by switching your Steam Deck to Desktop Mode:

1. Press the Steam button, navigate to “Power“, and select “Desktop Mode“. This will switch you to a desktop interface that’s more user-friendly.
2. In Desktop Mode, find the “Discover” icon on the toolbar. If it’s not immediately visible, check the “All Apps” menu. Once you find Discover, type “Heroic Games Launcher” into the search bar, press “Install“, and the Steam Deck will commence the installation process.
3. After the installation is complete, open the launcher and log in with your main Epic Games account, where all your games are stored.

Note that you will need to revert to Desktop Mode each time you want to play an Epic game.

However, there is a workaround to launch Heroic directly from Steam’s Gaming Mode, enhancing the user experience.

Integrating the Heroic Games Launcher with Steam

If you prefer not to switch to Desktop Mode every time you want to play an Epic game, you can streamline the process by adding the Heroic Games Launcher to your Steam library. This allows you to launch it directly from Steam’s Gaming Mode, eliminating unnecessary steps.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to adding the launcher to your Steam setup:

1. Access the Steam client in Desktop Mode.
2. Click on “Games” in the top toolbar and choose “Add a Non-Steam Game to My Library“. This action opens a window where you can browse and select programs to add.
3. Look through the list of programs available on your Steam Deck. Locate “Heroic Games Launcher“, tick the checkbox beside it, and click “Add Selected Programs“.
4. Once added, close the Steam application and double-click the “Return to Gaming Mode” icon on the desktop to switch back to the handheld-friendly UI.
5. In Gaming Mode, navigate to your Steam library where you’ll find Heroic Games Launcher listed under the non-Steam tab. Simply open it, select “Play“, and it will launch in full screen, allowing you to manage, install, and play games from the Epic Games Store just as you would with Steam games.

With these steps, Heroic Games Launcher is fully integrated into your Steam library, making it convenient to access and play Epic games without repeatedly switching modes.

Using Proton to Run the Official Epic Games Store Client on Steam Deck

Installing the Epic Games Store on the Steam Deck can be challenging since there isn’t a Linux version of the client. However, a viable workaround is to use Proton, a tool designed to run Windows-only games on Linux systems.

We’ll use Proton to facilitate running the Epic Games Store on the handheld. Be aware, this process is somewhat complex and involves several technical steps.

1. Begin by switching to Desktop Mode on your Steam Deck. Press the Steam button, select “Power“, then “Desktop Mode“.



2. Once on the desktop, click the “Discover” icon, search for Proton, and install ProtonUp-Qt.



3. Open a web browser, navigate to the Epic Games website, and download the Epic Games Launcher installer to a convenient location like your Downloads folder.
4. Launch Steam (still in Desktop Mode), and at the bottom left, click “Add a Game“, then “Add a Non-Steam Game“, and finally “Browse“.



5. In the browse window, change the file type to “All Files” to view all items in your Downloads folder. Locate the Epic Games Launcher installer, select it, and click “Open“. Next, click “Add Selected Programs” to include it in your Steam library.
6. Right-click the newly added Epic Games Launcher installer in your Steam library and choose “Properties“.
7. Go to the “Compatibility” tab and tick the box for “Force the use of a specific Steam Play compatibility tool“, setting it to use Proton.



8. Click “Play” to run the installer and complete the installation of the Epic Games Launcher.
9. Next, locate the installed Epic Games Launcher. Open your file manager, navigate to the Home directory, and use the menu to “Show Hidden Files“.
10. Proceed to /.local/share/Steam/steamapps/compatdata and find the folder for your Epic Launcher.



11. Follow the path /pfx/drive_c/Program Files (x86)/Epic Games/Launcher/Portal/Binaries/Win32/ to find the executable.
12. Right-click on EpicGamesLauncher.exe and choose “Copy Location“.
13. Back in Steam, right-click the Epic Games Launcher listing in your library, select “Properties“, and paste the location you copied into the “Target” and “Start In” fields in the Shortcut tab, ensuring “Start In” ends with /Win32/.



14. Consider renaming the shortcut to “Epic Games Launcher” and customizing the icon to enhance its appearance.
15. Finally, double-click the “Return to Gaming Mode” icon on your desktop to revert to the gaming-friendly interface.

Installing and Playing Epic Games on Your Steam Deck

With either the Heroic Games Launcher or the official Epic Games Store client set up on your Steam Deck, you’re likely eager to dive into some gaming. Here’s a straightforward guide on how to install and launch your favorite games.

1. Start by logging into your Epic account via the installed launcher. You’ll have access to your entire library of games.
2. Scroll through your library, select a game you wish to play, and press the “Install” button. You may be asked to choose an installation directory, but the default option usually works fine. Allow the launcher to complete the installation.
3. Once installed, launching your game is as easy as clicking “Play“. The game will start immediately.

Important Considerations for Steam Deck Users

• Compatibility Check: Some games may not be fully compatible with Linux, even when using Proton. For games that don’t run smoothly, consult ProtonDB, a community resource that provides details on game compatibility with Linux and potential fixes.
• Online Multiplayer Challenges: Online multiplayer games often have issues on Linux due to incompatible anti-cheat systems. Despite efforts to improve compatibility, many titles still face obstacles.
• Troubleshooting: As the Steam Deck is primarily optimized for Steam, games from other platforms like the Epic Games Store may require some adjustments for optimal performance.

Adjust settings in the Heroic Games Launcher to enhance game performance. Experimenting with different Proton versions or alternative solutions like WineGE could resolve issues with more stubborn games. Continuous updates are also improving these tools.

You’re now equipped to enrich your Steam Deck library with games from the Epic Games Store. Although the setup process might be more complex than with Steam games, it becomes simpler with time. Enjoy your portable gaming experience, explore new gaming tips, and keep an eye on the freebies offered by both Steam and Epic Games Store – they’re fantastic for growing your collection.

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