The Steam Deck is a handheld gaming PC that allows you to play your favorite PC games on the go. However, not all PC games are compatible with the Steam Deck. GOG games are DRM-free games that are often more compatible with Linux-based systems like the Steam Deck. In this article, we will show you how to play GOG games on your Steam Deck.
There are two different ways to play GOG games on the Steam Deck. The first method is to add the GOG games to your Steam library. To do this, open the Steam client on your Steam Deck and click on the “Add a Game” button. Then, select the “Add a Non-Steam Game” option. In the window that appears, browse to the GOG game executable file and click on the “Add Selected Programs” button. The GOG game will now be added to your Steam library.
The second method to play GOG games on the Steam Deck is to use the Heroic Games Launcher. Heroic is a free and open-source game launcher that supports a wide variety of DRM-free games, including GOG games. To install Heroic, open the Discover app on your Steam Deck and search for “Heroic”. Once Heroic is installed, launch it and click on the “Add Game” button. Then, select the “GOG” tab and browse to the GOG game executable file. Click on the “Add” button and the GOG game will be added to Heroic.
Seamless Integration: Connecting GOG and Steam Deck for a Unified Experience
The GOG Galaxy client is not officially supported on the Steam Deck. However, there are a few methods that you can use to play GOG games on your Steam Deck. One method is to use the Heroic Games Launcher, which is a third-party launcher that supports GOG games. Another method is to add GOG games to your Steam library as non-Steam games. Here are the detailed instructions for both methods:
1. Using Heroic Games Launcher
Heroic Games Launcher is a free and open-source launcher that supports a variety of game stores, including GOG. To use Heroic Games Launcher to play GOG games on your Steam Deck, follow these steps:
- Install Heroic Games Launcher from the Discover Store.
- Launch Heroic Games Launcher and click “Add Store.”
- Select “GOG” from the list of stores.
- Enter your GOG credentials and click “Login.”
- Your GOG games will now be listed in Heroic Games Launcher.
- To add a GOG game to your Steam library, right-click on the game and select “Add to Steam.”
- You can now launch the GOG game from your Steam library.
2. Adding GOG Games as Non-Steam Games
You can also add GOG games to your Steam library as non-Steam games. This will allow you to launch the games from Steam, but you will not be able to use Steam’s features such as achievements and cloud saves. To add a GOG game as a non-Steam game, follow these steps:
- Locate the GOG game executable file. This is usually located in the game’s installation directory.
- Open Steam and go to the “Library” tab.
- Click the “Add a Game” button at the bottom of the left-hand menu.
- Select “Add a Non-Steam Game.”
- Browse to and select the GOG game executable file.
- Click “Add Selected Programs.”
- The GOG game will now be added to your Steam library.
Troubleshooting: Resolving Common Issues When Playing GOG Games on Steam Deck
1. Missing Executables
Some GOG games lack native Linux executables. Verify the game’s store page on GOG to confirm its Linux compatibility.
2. Proton Compatibility Problems
Ensure Proton Experimental is selected in Steam Play settings. If issues persist, try different Proton versions in advanced settings.
3. Controller Mapping Conflicts
Some GOG games may have incompatible controller mappings. Adjust them in Steam Input settings or use community-created configs.
4. Wine Configuration Issues
Manually configure Wine prefixes for GOG games if necessary. Access Wine Configuration through the game’s contextual menu in Steam.
5. Resolution Problems
Set the desired resolution in game settings or use the “Force Resolution” option in Steam launch options.
6. Audio Problems
Check if the game supports ALSA or PulseAudio audio. If not, use a compatibility layer like Proton Faudio.
7. Graphics Glitches
Update your graphics drivers and try different graphics settings in-game. Consider using Proton’s “Force Compatibility Mode” option.
8. Crashes and Stability Issues
Enable the “Enable DXVK Async” option in Proton Experimental settings. Additionally, verify the game’s files and reinstall if necessary.
9. Performance Problems
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| Low frame rates | Reduce graphics settings, use Proton’s “High Performance” governor, and enable “Game Mode” in Desktop mode. |
| Stuttering | Enable “FSR” or “NIS” in game settings, or use Proton’s “Adaptive Resolution FSR” feature. |
| Freezing | Restart the game, update drivers, and check for memory leaks using tools like “htop” in Desktop mode. |
Best Ways to Play GOG Games on Steam Deck
There are a few different ways to play GOG games on Steam Deck. The best way for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences. Here are the three most popular methods:
- Use the Heroic Games Launcher: This is a third-party launcher that allows you to play non-Steam games on your Steam Deck. It’s a popular choice for GOG games, as it offers a number of features that make it easy to manage and play your games.
- Add GOG games to Steam as non-Steam games: This method is a bit more manual, but it allows you to play GOG games within the Steam interface. To do this, open Steam and click on the “Games” menu. Then, select “Add a Non-Steam Game to My Library…” Browse to the GOG game you want to add and click “Open”.
- Use a third-party emulator: If you’re having trouble getting GOG games to work on your Steam Deck using the other methods, you can try using a third-party emulator. There are a number of different emulators available, so you’ll need to do some research to find one that works for your specific game.
People Also Ask
How do I install GOG games on Steam Deck?
To install GOG games on Steam Deck using the Heroic Games Launcher, follow these steps:
- Install the Heroic Games Launcher from the Discover app store.
- Launch Heroic Games Launcher and sign in to your GOG account.
- Click on the “Games” tab and then click on the “Install” button.
- Select the GOG game you want to install and click on the “Install” button.
- Once the game is installed, you can launch it from the Heroic Games Launcher or from the Steam Deck’s game library.
How do I add GOG games to Steam as non-Steam games?
To add GOG games to Steam as non-Steam games, follow these steps:
- Open Steam and click on the “Games” menu.
- Select “Add a Non-Steam Game to My Library…”
- Browse to the GOG game you want to add and click on “Open”.
- The game will be added to your Steam library. You can now launch it from the Steam interface.
What is the best way to play GOG games on Steam Deck?
The best way to play GOG games on Steam Deck depends on your individual needs and preferences. If you want an easy-to-use solution with a lot of features, then using the Heroic Games Launcher is a good option. If you prefer to keep your GOG games separate from your Steam games, then adding them as non-Steam games is a good choice. And if you’re having trouble getting GOG games to work using the other methods, then using a third-party emulator is an option.
