How many of you install games outside Steam on your Decks? Do you find the process easy?
I'm a hobbyist game developer myself, and I'm looking into making games especially designed for the Steam Deck. However, for freeware games, the $100 price per title on the Steam store is a bit too steep. I wish there was an easy-to-use alternative store on the Deck, but since that's not the case, I'm wondering if it would make any sense to develop games for the Deck and publish them, for example, on Itch.io.
(As a proof of concept, I created this step-by-step guide for a hacky Steam Deck version of my old game, Soccer Physics. I think it still applies, even though it's a year-old build/guide: https://www.ottoojala.com/soccerphysicssteamdeck/ )
Yep. Most are via Epic, GOG, and Amazon Games, but I'd install an itch.io game, if there was one I wanted to play.
If you're trying to save money, instead of using it as a way to build reputation, I don't think it's that big of a deal to choose a cheaper option. And if you find that it becomes popular, you can maybe consider Steam later on.
I emulate a lot of old games on my Steam Deck. It's not too hard, but requires some work. I will do the work for non-Steam stores if/when there is something I want to play from one. However, I suspect not releasing your games on Steam will really limit your reach. My guess is that most people won't go through the effort to get itch.io games work on thier Deck.
I play Dofus, both in desktop and gaming mode. The fact that a tactical turn-by-turn RPG optimized only for keyboard an mouse is playable on gaming mode feels so empowering, it certainly took some time to configure bindings though 😅
I only play games on Steam, GoG, or free games from Epic.
GoG and Epic are very easy to install with Heroic Games Launcher.
Beyond All Reason is FOSS, published on flatpak, and works great on the deck! (W/ keyboard, mouse, and monitor)
