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A plugin designed to bring smoothlined GOG and Epic Games compatibility to the Steam Deck has been abruptly removed from the Steam store. Yes, the Junk Store, which had garnered significant interest from the gaming community just last week, was set to offer users a convenient way to access games from multiple platforms within the Steam ecosystem.
The plugin was initially announced on October 10 as a standalone, paid product on Steam. However, just a few days later on the 15th, the Steam page for the Junk Store mysteriously disappeared. According to SteamDB, the app has been “retired and is no longer available on the Steam store.”
Why was it removed?
While the exact reasons behind the removal remain unclear, it is assumed that Valve, the company behind Steam, may have had concerns about the plugin’s potential impact on its platform. Allowing users to easily launch games from other stores could have posed a competitive threat to Steam’s dominance in the gaming market.
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The Junk Store’s removal has sparked discussions within the gaming community about the extent to which Valve will tolerate third-party plugins and modifications to the Steam Deck experience. Many users are sure to express disappointment and frustration at the decision, given the initial positive response to the plugin’s potential to enhance the versatility and functionality of the Steam Deck.
In a Reddit post on r/JunkStore, the developers were “optimistic” that the framework would get the green light from Valve. They discussed several details such as price, cloud saves, and Valve’s apparent approval.
Where to find the Junk Store now
Despite the setback, the Junk Store remains available as a free and open-source plugin for the Decky Loader plugin system. This means that users can still access the plugin and enjoy its benefits, albeit with a slightly more complex installation process.
Valve and the developers of the Junk Store have not yet provided official statements regarding the removal. However, the Steam Deck community is eagerly awaiting more information about the reasons behind the decision and the potential for future developments.
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