Can I Play Gog Games On Steam Deck?

Yes, you can play GOG games on Steam Deck, though it requires a bit of setup beyond Steam’s default environment.

So, you’ve got your hands on a Steam Deck and you’re wondering, “can i play gog games on steam deck?”. The short answer is yes! But it’s not as simple as clicking and playing. GOG games don’t directly integrate with the SteamOS like Steam titles.

Getting your GOG library running on your Deck involves a few extra steps, which are totally manageable. You will need to use some third-party programs to make it all work. This method will allow you to enjoy your collection of DRM-free games.

Can I Play GOG Games on Steam Deck?

So, you’ve got your shiny new Steam Deck, and you’re super excited to play all sorts of awesome games. But what about those games you got from GOG? That’s a great question! Many gamers have a collection of titles on GOG (Good Old Games), and naturally, they’re wondering if they can enjoy them on their Steam Deck. The short answer is: yes, you absolutely can! It’s not quite as simple as downloading and playing, but with a little bit of setup, your GOG library can come to life on your Steam Deck. Let’s dive into how you can make this happen.

Understanding the Differences: Steam vs. GOG

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of playing GOG games on the Steam Deck, it’s important to understand the difference between Steam and GOG. Steam is a digital game store and platform managed by Valve. It’s closely tied to the Steam Deck, making it easy to find, download, and play games. GOG, on the other hand, is also a digital game store, but with a different philosophy. GOG sells games that are DRM-free, which means you are not tied to a specific platform to play them. This is great for owning your games, but it also means that GOG games aren’t automatically compatible with Steam Deck. Steam Deck uses SteamOS which is based on Linux, so GOG games that are designed for Windows, need extra work to get running.

The Key: Using Heroic Games Launcher

So, how do we bridge the gap? The key tool to get GOG games working on the Steam Deck is a program called Heroic Games Launcher. Heroic is an open-source, community-made project that allows you to install and run GOG games (and Epic Games Store games) on Linux-based devices. Think of it as a bridge between your GOG account and your Steam Deck. It makes it easier to manage and install those DRM-free games.

Installing Heroic Games Launcher

Here’s a simple breakdown of how you can install Heroic Games Launcher on your Steam Deck:

Switch to Desktop Mode: Press the Steam button, go to “Power,” and select “Switch to Desktop.” This will take you out of the regular Steam Deck interface and into the Linux desktop.
Open the Discover App Store: You’ll find this icon (a blue shopping bag) on the taskbar. Click on it.
Search for Heroic Games Launcher: In the search bar at the top of the Discover app, type “Heroic Games Launcher” and press Enter.
Install Heroic Games Launcher: Click the “Install” button on the Heroic Games Launcher app page. Wait for it to download and install. It should be quick.
Run Heroic Games Launcher: After the installation, you can find Heroic Games Launcher in the application menu (the icon looks like a blue circle). Click on it to start it up.

Connecting Your GOG Account to Heroic Games Launcher

Once Heroic is installed, it’s time to link your GOG account. Here’s how:

Open Heroic Games Launcher: If you haven’t already, start the application.
Go to Settings: Look for a settings or preferences icon (usually a gear or cog). Click on it.
Select Manage Accounts: You’ll likely find a section for “Accounts” or “Manage Accounts.” Click on it.
Add a GOG Account: Choose to add a new GOG account. It will prompt you for your GOG username and password. You may need to complete the usual login security steps too like verification.
Confirm and Authenticate: Once you’ve entered your details, Heroic Games Launcher should connect to your GOG account. It will verify access to your game library.

Installing GOG Games via Heroic

With your account connected, it’s time to start downloading your games! This is where the fun really begins:

Navigate to Your GOG Library: In Heroic, you’ll see a list of all the games you own on your GOG account.
Choose a Game to Install: Pick a game you want to play. Click on it.
Install: Look for the “Install” or “Download” button. Click on that. Heroic will ask where to save the game files. Default directory is generally fine.
Wait for the Download: Depending on the game’s size and your internet speed, it may take some time to download the game files.
The Game Installation: Once the download is done, Heroic Games Launcher will install the game.

Adding GOG Games to Steam Library

While Heroic allows you to install and play GOG games, the games won’t appear directly in your Steam library. To make things more convenient, you can add them to your Steam library. This way, they’ll show up in your usual Steam Deck interface, making it much easier to launch them. Here’s how you accomplish this:

Using Steam Rom Manager

Steam Rom Manager is a helpful community-created application that handles adding games from various sources, including those installed through Heroic Games Launcher, to your Steam library. It even grabs images and other artwork automatically for your games. Here’s how you can set it up:

Install Steam Rom Manager: Like Heroic, you can find Steam Rom Manager in the Discover app store on your Steam Deck’s desktop mode. Search for “Steam Rom Manager” and install it.
Launch Steam Rom Manager: You can find the icon for this application in your application menu. Click to open it.
Add a Parser: You’ll need to add a “parser” which tells Steam Rom Manager where to look for games. Click “Add Parser”. From there, you’ll want to choose the “Heroic” option.
Check the Settings: Make sure the settings are right. Usually, it’ll detect where Heroic stores your games. If not, you can point Steam Rom Manager to where the installed GOG games are.
Preview and Generate App List: You can now press the “Preview” button. This will show you the list of games that can be added to your Steam library. If all looks right, click “Generate app list”.
Add the Games to Steam: Finally, press “Save app list”. This action adds the games to your steam library.

Switch Back to Game Mode: After adding the games, go back to Game Mode on your Steam Deck. You’ll find the GOG games in your library as non-Steam games with artwork and everything.

Important Note: Remember that games added to Steam using this method are still running via Heroic in the background. Make sure the Heroic app is installed and running. You launch the games through Steam, but Heroic needs to be functional for the game to operate correctly.

Tips for Optimal GOG Gameplay on Steam Deck

Playing GOG games on the Steam Deck can be fantastic, but there are a few things you can do to make the experience even better:

Controller Settings: Make sure your controller is working correctly for the game. Sometimes, you might need to adjust the controller settings in the game or in Steam settings. Steam allows you to set up your controller as a keyboard/mouse combo if you have problems with controller recognition.
Proton Compatibility: Sometimes, games that are designed for Windows might need a tool called Proton to work on Linux. Proton is already included in Heroic so it is generally set up correctly. However, if you have problems with any game, look up which version of Proton it may need for best results.
Check for Updates: Make sure both Heroic Games Launcher and Steam Rom Manager are up to date. Updates often include fixes and improvements that can make games run smoother.
Adjust Graphics Settings: The Steam Deck is powerful, but some games might need adjusted graphics settings. You may need to tweak them to get good gameplay performance.
Battery Life: Keep an eye on your battery life. More graphically demanding games can drain the battery quickly.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even with all the tools and steps, sometimes you might encounter problems. Here are a few common issues and how to potentially fix them:

Game Not Launching

If a game doesn’t launch, try these troubleshooting steps:

Check Proton Compatibility: Make sure you have the right version of proton selected. Select a different version of proton and try again.
Verify Installation: Sometimes, files can be corrupt. Verify game integrity within the Heroic launcher to make sure that the game files are fully downloaded and not corrupted.
Reinstall: If all else fails, try uninstalling and reinstalling the game.

Controller Not Working

If the controller isn’t working as it should:

Check Steam Controller Settings: Open the Steam settings for the game and check the controller settings. You may need to select “force on” for controller support.
Try Different Input Methods: Try selecting a keyboard/mouse style input instead of the controller for your game to see if that works.
Reboot: A simple reboot of the Steam Deck can sometimes fix these problems.

Performance Issues

If the game is running slow or choppy:

Adjust Graphics: Lower the graphic settings of the game. This will make the game run smoother at the expense of visuals.
Close Background Apps: Make sure you close all other applications before running the game. The more application you have open, the more resources that the system will need to use.
Check for Driver Updates: Although rare, sometimes you can get additional performance gains from updating drivers and applications. Make sure that all of your tools and applications are fully updated.

The Benefits of Playing GOG Games on Steam Deck

While it might take a little setup, playing GOG games on your Steam Deck has some great advantages:

DRM-Free Games: You can play your games anytime, anywhere, without having to be online or locked to any particular platform.
More Game Choice: This way you aren’t limited to what is on Steam. You can access a huge range of awesome games that may not otherwise be available on the steam platform.
Greater Customization: Having these tools allow you to make changes to your experience. You can select custom versions of proton that may improve performance or compatibility.

Playing GOG games on your Steam Deck is totally doable, and while it’s not as straightforward as playing Steam games, the process is pretty simple once you get the hang of it. With Heroic Games Launcher and Steam Rom Manager, you can enjoy your entire gaming library, wherever you want. Dive in and have fun!

Enjoy your gaming experience with GOG games on your Steam Deck!

GAME CHANGER: Your GOG Library on your Steam Deck!

Final Thoughts

Yes, you can play GOG games on your Steam Deck. It involves installing the Heroic Games Launcher. This provides access to your GOG library, letting you install and play your games.

You must set up the launcher correctly and possibly do some tinkering. The process is straightforward, though, and it expands the Steam Deck’s gaming library.

In conclusion, with a little extra setup, the answer is yes, you can i play gog games on steam deck. Enjoy your expanded gaming options!