Valve’s portable console offers gamers the ability to take their expansive Steam libraries on the go with them, but can you play Epic Games on the Steam Deck? In recent years, the gaming landscape has witnessed the emergence of handheld gaming devices that offer the flexibility to play games on the go: one such device that has garnered significant attention is the Steam Deck. However, despite all its positives, the Steam Deck is sometimes held back by its native Linux-based OS.
So, while there are plenty of workarounds for playing incompatible titles, many gamers are still wondering about the possibility of accessing their Epic Games account from the Steam Deck. So, in this article, we’ll tell you all you need to know concerning playing Epic Games on the Steam Deck.
Enter Epic Games: the giant in the gaming industry
Epic Games, a prominent player in the gaming industry, is known for its popular digital distribution platform, the Epic Games Store. It offers a vast library of games, including exclusive titles and deals, attracting gamers from all walks of life. If you are an avid gamer with an extensive collection of games on the Epic Games Store, you might be wondering if it’s possible to access and play these games on the Steam Deck.
Well, Steam has always been able to add games from other sources to your library, and the Steam Deck is no exception to this. If you’ve already installed Windows as an operating system, you should be able to download the Epic Games Launcher without any hiccups. However, don’t worry if you’re sticking with SteamOS, as there’s a similarly similar solution that goes by the name of Heroic Games Launcher.
Can you play Epic Games on the Steam Deck?
Heroic Games Launcher: Your Gateway to Epic Games on the Steam Deck
Fortunately, there is a solution that allows you to access your Epic Games library on the Steam Deck. This solution comes in the form of the Heroic Games Launcher, an open-source launcher that consolidates the Epic Games and GOG applications for easy access and downloading. By installing the Heroic Games Launcher on your Steam Deck, you can seamlessly log into your Epic Games account and start downloading and playing your favorite Epic Games titles.
To do so, you have to go through the usual process of entering Desktop Mode on your Deck, and installing Heroic Games Launcher from the Discover Store. After this, make sure to add the app as a non-Steam game to your Library, so that you can still access the software when back in Gaming Mode. The official Epic Games Store doesn’t have a native Linux client, so using a third-party launcher such as Heroic Games is an easy way to enter your Epic Games account without much of a hassle.
Can I connect my Epic Games account to Steam?
Yes, it is possible to link your Epic Games account to your Steam account. By doing so, you can synchronize your existing friends list and other data between the two platforms. This allows for a seamless gaming experience and the ability to connect to cross-play games that support it. However, you’re only able to connect one Epic Games account to your Steam account at a time, so choose wisely.
Compatibility and performance: ensuring a smooth gaming experience
One crucial aspect to consider when playing Epic Games on the Steam Deck is compatibility and performance. While the Steam Deck is designed to be compatible with a wide range of PC games, not every title will run smoothly on the device. However, with a little effort and some adjustments, most Epic Games titles should be playable on the Steam Deck.
The Heroic Games Launcher provides a convenient feature that allows you to check the compatibility of a game with the Steam Deck. When selecting a game from your Epic Games library, you can hit the three dots in the upper right corner and choose Check Compatibility. This feature provides valuable information about how well the game is known to run on the Steam Deck.
On the ProtonDB screen, you’ll find an overall assessment of the game’s performance, along with comments from other users regarding any issues encountered. If a game is rated as Platinum, it means it should run smoothly using the latest versions of Wine and Proton. However, if a game isn’t rated as Platinum, you may need to install a specific version of Proton to ensure optimal performance.
Final thoughts
So, gamers wondering whether or not they can launch Epic Games titles from the Steam Deck, rest assured that you can, and that also it’s quite an easy process. The advantage of third-party launchers such as the Heroic Games Launcher is that you don’t have to faff about emulating Proton or installing a Windows OS onto your Steam Deck, you can pretty much just download and play. If you’re still not sold, you can check out a list of Steam Deck alternatives to consider investing in a console such as the Rog Ally, that’s got Windows as its native OS.
