For those who don’t know, the Steam Deck is a recently launched gaming console by Valve. Its powerful battery and some key specs allow you to play Steam games and non-steam titles on the go.
The first time we heard about it, we thought it was an expensive gimmick from Valve. But it turns out the Steam Deck has much to offer besides its Steam libraries and desktop functionality. Although the UI and OS could improve, the device is relatively good for casual gaming, even with mods.
Modding games is possible on the Steam Deck using Steam Workshop and Mod Websites. However, it may not be as efficient as a PC when playing and installing mods.
If you are searching for the best method to install mods on the Steam Deck and how they affect your gaming, read the article in its entirety.
Modding on a Steam Deck
Modding on Steam’s game library can be a great way to improve your gaming experience. There are a variety of mods available for many different games, and they can provide several additional benefits.
For example, mods can improve a game’s graphics, add new content, or even change the gameplay mechanics. Installing mods is usually relatively simple, and many great resources are available for finding and installing mods.
Steam’s Workshop is a great place to start if you want to mod your games.
How To Mod Games On A Steam Deck
Currently, there are two ways to mod games on a Steam Deck.
- Using Steam Workshop for Official Mods
- Using Mod Websites for Unofficial Mods
Steam Workshop
The Steam Workshop is available for select games and can be used to mod games on a Steam Deck. Even though the Steam Workshop is one of the safest ways to mod games on a Steam deck, this feature only uses official mods available for a particular game.
Are you wondering how to use Steam Workshop to mod a game? Follow these steps to be able to mod a game successfully on a Steam Desk.
Step 1. Go to the Steam Workshop.
Step 2. Search for the game you want to mod.
Step 3. Choose the desired mod from the list.
Step 4. Click on the Subscribe button.
Step 5. This will add the mod to the game; if it is currently running, relaunch it to see the changes.
Mod Websites
Alternative to the Steam Workshop and for the games not supported by Steam Workshop, Mod Websites are your go-to solution.
Make sure to use authentic mods and always install them using a mod manager unless you are an expert, as even the slightest glitch can render the game unplayable. You may lose all progress in the game if this happens.
Nexus Mods, Mod DB, and Mod.io are among the best options to find authentic mods of your favorite games.
Here are the steps you need to follow to mod games on a Steam Deck using Mod Websites.
Step 1. Open the Mod Website; ex. Nexus Mods.
Step 2. Search for the game you want to mod.
Step 3. Select and Download your favorite mod.
Step 4. Use a mod installer such as Smapi.io or Vortex to install the mod on your Steam Deck.
How to Use Mods on the Steam Deck
Mods are a great way to customize your Steam Deck and make it your own. As mentioned earlier, there are a few different ways to use mods on your Steam Deck.
You can browse the available mods on Nexus Mods and select the ones you want to use. Once you have chosen the mods you want to use, you can subscribe to them, and they will be automatically downloaded and installed on your Steam Deck.
Once downloaded, the only way to use mods on your Steam Deck is by manually installing them. You can download mods from various places on the internet and then install them on your Steam Deck.
To do this, you will first need to extract the files from the mod archive. Programs like 7-Zip or Winrar are the best options for extracting files.
Once you have extracted the files, you must copy them to the “mods” folder on your Steam Deck. Once the files are in the “mods” folder, you can activate them in the game.
Conclusion: Modding on a Steam Deck
The Steam Deck may seem a bit like an expensive gimmick, but the more you know about it, the more you’ll find yourself wanting it, primarily since it can support mods for your favorite games.
Mods can really help you to customize games on your Steam Deck and make them your own. If you have trouble finding mods or are unsure how to install them, ask for help on the Steam Deck forums.
The abovementioned guide may have cleared most of your doubts; however, you can always get in touch should you have any questions.