The Steam Deck certainly offers an impressive gaming experience, but its Linux foundation can sometimes throw a wrench into game compatibility. You might face challenges due to anticheat systems or other technical factors. Unlike the more straightforward Windows-based ROG Ally, it’s occasionally uncertain which games will run seamlessly.
Valve diligently tests and provides compatibility information for the Steam Deck on their listings. However, even with these efforts, there have been instances where games labeled as “Verified” encountered hiccups. To truly assess how well a game performs on the Steam Deck, ProtonDB is an invaluable resource. The community input here is fantastic, offering advice and tweaks to enhance your gaming experience.
Thanks to a nifty plugin available through Decky Loader, you can now bring ProtonDB insights directly into your Steam library. Let me guide you through the setup.
### Setting Up Decky Loader and the ProtonDB Badges Plugin
To add ProtonDB functionality to your Steam library on the Steam Deck, you’ll first need Decky Loader. If you’re not sure how to get it up and running, there’s a comprehensive guide to help you through the process. While it’s fairly straightforward, having a keyboard and mouse on hand can streamline things, especially since installation requires desktop mode. Essentially, it’s a matter of downloading and installing a file.
Once installed, activate Decky Loader by pressing the QAM button (the three dots) on your Steam Deck. Look for the Decky Loader icon at the bottom, tap it, then navigate to the shop-like icon.
The ProtonDB Badges plugin is what you’re after. You can scroll through the list or use the search box to find it quickly. Once you’ve located it, simply hit Install.
What’s great about this plugin is that it adds a ProtonDB rating badge to the games in your library. Importantly, these badges even show for games not installed on your Steam Deck.
Tapping on a badge will open the relevant ProtonDB page within a web view, keeping you within the Steam interface rather than redirecting you to an external browser. It’s a neat feature that makes checking compatibility a breeze, eliminating the need for any additional devices.
This plugin also supports games from sources other than Steam. If you have titles installed through another Decky Loader plugin like Junk-Store from Epic Games, you’ll still be able to view their ProtonDB ratings under your “Non-Steam” tab.
You also have a couple of customization options for the badges. Choose from three different sizes (as shown, I opted for small), and decide whether you want them displayed on the top left or top right of your games.
This simple addition significantly improves the quality of life for Steam Deck users. As someone who’s been navigating the Linux gaming scene for years, ProtonDB is vital. This integration just takes convenience to the next level for Steam Deck aficionados.
