How to epic games on steam deck

Overview

The Steam Deck, Valve's powerful handheld gaming PC, offers incredible flexibility in running a wide variety of games. However, not all game stores are directly integrated. Epic Games Store, a major competitor to Steam, is one such platform that doesn't have native support on the Steam Deck. This means you can't simply download the Epic Games Launcher from the Steam Deck's Gaming Mode store. Fortunately, the open nature of the Steam Deck's operating system (SteamOS, which is based on Arch Linux) allows for workarounds to install and run non-Steam applications, including the Epic Games Store.

Why Isn't Epic Games Store Natively Supported?

Valve's Steam Deck is designed to be a PC gaming device, but its primary focus is on the Steam store for ease of use and integration. Epic Games Store is a separate platform with its own client and game management system. Valve has not developed a direct integration for the Epic Games Store into the Steam Deck's user interface. This is common for PC gaming platforms, where different storefronts operate independently.

Methods for Installing Epic Games on Steam Deck

The most common and effective ways to get Epic Games on your Steam Deck involve using third-party tools that manage compatibility layers (like Wine or Proton) and application installations. The two most popular methods are:

1. Using Lutris

Lutris is a free and open-source game manager that simplifies the installation of games from various sources, including Epic Games Store. It automates much of the process of setting up compatibility layers and installing the game clients.

Steps to Install Epic Games via Lutris:

1. Enter Desktop Mode: From the Steam Deck's main interface (Gaming Mode), press the Steam button, navigate to 'Power', and select 'Switch to Desktop'.
2. Install Lutris: Once in Desktop Mode, open the Discover Software Center. Search for 'Lutris' and install it.
3. Launch Lutris: Open the Lutris application.
4. Add Epic Games Store Installer: In Lutris, click the '+' button (Add Game) and search for 'Epic Games Store'. Select the installer script provided by the community.
5. Follow Prompts: Lutris will guide you through the installation process. You'll need to log in to your Epic Games account. Lutris will download and install the Epic Games Launcher within a Wine environment.
6. Install Games: Once the Epic Games Launcher is installed via Lutris, you can launch it from Lutris. Log in and install your desired games. Lutris will then add these games as shortcuts to its library, allowing you to launch them directly from Lutris.
7. Add to Steam (Optional): For a more integrated experience, you can add the Lutris executable or individual game executables as 'Non-Steam Games' to your Steam library. This allows you to launch them from the Steam Deck's Gaming Mode, though some features like achievements or playtime tracking might not work seamlessly.

2. Using Heroic Games Launcher

Heroic Games Launcher is another excellent open-source alternative specifically designed to manage games from Epic Games Store and GOG. It offers a clean interface and good compatibility.

Steps to Install Epic Games via Heroic Games Launcher:

1. Enter Desktop Mode: As with Lutris, switch to Desktop Mode.
2. Install Heroic Games Launcher: You can typically find Heroic Games Launcher in the Discover Software Center. Install it from there. Alternatively, you can download the AppImage from its official GitHub releases page and run it.
3. Launch Heroic Games Launcher: Open the application.
4. Log In: You will be prompted to log in to your Epic Games account.
5. Install Games: Once logged in, you can browse your Epic Games library within Heroic. Select the games you want to install and choose a destination folder on your Steam Deck's storage.
6. Launch Games: Heroic will manage the installation and provide options to launch the games directly.
7. Add to Steam (Optional): Similar to Lutris, you can add Heroic Games Launcher or individual game executables to your Steam library to access them from Gaming Mode.

Important Considerations and Potential Issues

• Performance: Not all Epic Games will run perfectly on the Steam Deck. Some games might require specific tweaks to Proton versions or in-game settings for optimal performance. Community forums and websites like ProtonDB are invaluable resources for checking game compatibility and finding solutions.
• Anti-Cheat Software: Many modern games, especially multiplayer titles, use anti-cheat systems that may not be compatible with the Wine/Proton layers used by Lutris or Heroic. This can prevent certain games from launching or running correctly.
• Updates: Game updates and launcher updates might occasionally break compatibility, requiring updates to the compatibility layers or the launchers themselves. Stay informed about updates for Lutris, Heroic, and Proton.
• Storage Space: Epic Games can take up significant storage space, so ensure you have enough room on your Steam Deck's internal storage or a microSD card.
• Controller Support: While many games will have controller support, some might require manual configuration of controls, especially if you're launching them outside of Steam's compatibility layer.

By following these methods, you can effectively expand your gaming library on the Steam Deck to include titles from the Epic Games Store, significantly increasing the number of games available to you on this versatile handheld device.