Steam Deck Gets Better Linux Launcher Support Ahead of Steam Deck 2

SteamOS is gaining support from game launchers that have traditionally focused on Windows, making Linux gaming more accessible. Ubisoft, EA, Epic Games, and GOG are all making changes to improve their Linux support. These developments could also make the Steam Deck 2 a better option when it arrives.

Alongside these platform changes, a new application called Full Deck is bringing several classic Pokémon games to the Steam Deck with support for single-screen gameplay and 1080p resolution. One of the biggest battles Valve has been fighting since launching the Steam Deck for Linux users is getting every launcher under the sun to work as well as possible on SteamOS.

SteamOS is Getting Support From More Game Launchers

We've already seen some progress this year. Ubisoft replacing its previous application with Ubisoft Connect services was a win because, if you play Ubisoft games, every time the application updates, there's a 50/50 chance that it breaks on Linux. You then have to wait for a Proton Experimental update or for Ubisoft to fix whatever broke.

Replacing it with Ubisoft Connect services eliminates that problem. It also solves the need to install a separate instance of the application for every game. Some people worked around this by installing the application, adding it to Steam, and downloading their Ubisoft games through it. However, we don't want to deal with a separate launcher contained within Steam.

The Ubisoft online services solution is a better approach. Ideally, we wouldn't need it at all, but we can live with it. EA is also changing its approach, which is another development worth watching. The company is working on a Linux version of Javelin, its anti-cheat software. This should allow EA to restore online connectivity to games where it was previously removed, such as Battlefield 1. Hopefully, it will also add Battlefield 6 to the list.

EA has also made a change similar to Ubisoft's with its latest games. You no longer need the EA Play launcher, as you can use EA's connected services instead. When we launched Star Wars Galactic Racer on the Steam Machine, the game asked whether we wanted to reinstall the online services. We skipped that option, and the game worked without any issues.

Epic Games Store is Planning Linux and SteamOS Support

Another major development happened about a month ago when Epic Games announced that it was working on a Linux version of the Epic Games Store. This is happening alongside the company's plans to redesign and rebuild the store. The goal behind the redesign is to make the store usable and faster. That's something we can appreciate, although Epic Games is using vibe coding for the project, so the final results remain to be seen.

We've already seen preview videos of the new Epic Games Store, and it appears to be working well. We don't know what the backend code looks like, but using the application seems to be a better experience than before. However, when Epic Games initially announced its Linux plans, it mentioned almost every major distribution except SteamOS. That was strange because SteamOS is one of the main Linux platforms for gaming.

Liam from Gaming on Linux asked Epic Games whether it planned to support SteamOS in the future now that the application was in preview. The company confirmed that the application was still under development and that it planned to support multiple distributions. SteamOS was on the list, meaning we can expect the new Epic Games Store to support it through its Linux application.

This applies to distributions such as CachyOS and Bazzite as well.

Fortnite doesn't currently work on Linux, so anyone who depends on the game will have another reason to avoid switching. That's why having the Epic Games Store app on SteamOS matters. Even if you don't play Fortnite, having the Epic Games Store available is useful because the company has been giving away free games for years.

We remember wanting to play that game but not having much money at the time. Getting it for free through Epic Games was a great opportunity, and many other players have probably had a similar experience. Over time, you can build up a library of free games. Having the Epic Games Store natively installed on a Linux device, Steam Deck, or Steam Machine would make accessing those games much easier.

We might not use the store regularly because most of the games we want to play are already on Steam. However, having the option available is important for the platform and its users. Another launcher that works alongside Steam is GOG Galaxy. People appreciate GOG because it provides DRM-free copies of games, giving players more control over their libraries.

FAQ

Q. Which game launchers are planning to support SteamOS?

A. Ubisoft, EA, Epic Games, and GOG are improving their Linux support, with Epic Games and GOG also planning native Linux applications that support SteamOS.

Q. When is the GOG Galaxy Linux application expected to arrive?

A. GOG has confirmed that its native application will support Linux, Windows, and macOS, with a planned release in early 2027.

Q. What is Full Deck for Steam Deck?

A. Full Deck is an application that brings multiple Pokémon games together and converts dual-screen games into single-screen experiences, with support for 1080p resolution and 60fps.

Q. Which Pokémon games are supported by Full Deck?

A. Full Deck supports Pokémon FireRed, LeafGreen, Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, HeartGold, SoulSilver, Black, White, Black 2, White 2, Omega Ruby, and Alpha Sapphire.