Guide on Adding Non-Steam Games to Your Steam Deck Using Heroic Games Launcher

Sure, let’s dive in. So, Valve’s Steam Deck, right? Kind of shook up the gaming world when it hit the scene. But, like, did it fizzle a bit with all these new kids on the block? Maybe. But hey, it’s still the king of handhelds (I think, anyway). The catch? Only Steam games? Nah.

Nope, here’s the twist — turns out you can throw more than just Steam games on that bad boy. It takes a bit of elbow grease, but it’s doable. Enter Heroic Games Launcher. Bless its open-source heart. I even messed around with it on a Linux project — but that’s a story for another day (or never, maybe). Anyway, Heroic lets you tap into your GoG, Amazon, Epic games stash. You know, those games you collect like stamps (but never actually play)? Yup, you can finally dust them off. Think about it: gaming on the go, tucked in bed, or chilling with pals.

Okay, sidetrack over. Where was I?

Oh yeah — the grand plan was to mesh Heroic with my Steam Library. Dream big, you know? Kick off by slapping Heroic onto your Steam Deck. Here’s the drill:

1. Smash that Steam button, hunt for “Switch to Desktop.” Why they buried it there, who knows?

Anyway, (sheesh — lost my train of thought again) find the Discover icon. It’s like app central for your Steam Deck. Sort of like Google Play but with way posher vibes. Fire it up, type in “Heroic,” and voilà.

Download. Wait. Okay, I said, “wait.” But it zips along (unless the internet gods deem otherwise). Then we dive right into Heroic, parked in the main menu under Games.

Close pop-ups like there’s no tomorrow. Update notes? Pfft, who reads those?
Log into something. Epic is my jam — all those Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles vibes. The urge hit me last week. Nostalgic much?

Pick games like there’s no tomorrow. Proton Experimental? Sure, why not. Buggy but in a we-love-to-fix-it kinda way.

Watch a download bar like a hawk. Shredder’s Revenge? Blink and it’s done. Cyberpunk 2077 via GoG? Brew a cup… or two. That one’s in slow-mo city.

Fired up a game, settled in. Hit speed bumps (because why wouldn’t capture equipment act up during Deathloop?). Ignoring that — golden.

But I’m a sucker for extras. Feels half-baked if Heroic doesn’t snuggle into Steam Library. Cue more button-smashing:

1. In Steam’s desktop bit, hunt down Heroic. Right-click magic… “Add to Steam.” Done. Boom.

Doesn’t it look all snazzy with some steamgriddb wizardry? Art magic, folks. Browser, steamgriddb, search “Heroic Games Launcher.” Perfect, right? Download, rename — this part’s smooth like butter.

Steam again. Right-click galore, switch up the artwork. Personal flair, if you will. Backgrounds, icons, all of it. Worth it? Totally.

Oh snap. Almost forgot. Back to Gaming Mode. Traditionalist at heart, I guess.

So, yeah. Heroic’s like your new best friend for off-the-beaten-path gaming. Steam Deck activated, Heroic’s just a button away. Ready? Game on.