For this guide, we will be following the official Steam documentation that can be found here: https://partner.steamgames.com/doc/steamdeck/loadgames.
Setting Up Your PC
Before you are able to deploy your game to your Steam Deck you will have to download the “SteamOS Devkit Client” inside your Steam Library on your PC. Follow the direct link in the guide above, which will automatically open the install dialogue on Steam. Launch the app once it is installed.
Setting Up Your Steam Deck
- Your Steam Deck should already have the SteamOS Devkit Service installed and running, so no work is required there.
- Ensure that your Steam Deck is fully up-to-date via Settings > System > Software Updates.
- Enable Developer Mode via Settings > System > System Settings > Enable Developer Mode.
- Ensure your Deck is connected to the same network as your PC.
Connecting Your PC and Steam Deck
- On your Steam Deck, go to Settings > Developer > Development Kit > Development host pairing and click “Pair new host”.
- In the Devkit Client app, enter the IP address of the Steam Deck and click “Connect”. Your Steam Deck’s IP address can be found via Settings > Internet, select your connected network and look for the IP Address under “IPV4 Address”.
- A pairing request will appear on your Steam Deck for you to approve.
- If the connection was successful, you should see your Steam Deck appear in the app - similar to the screenshot below.
Uploading a Windows Build to the Steam Deck
- Within GameMaker, create a Windows executable of your project and choose to package it as a Zip:
- Once the build has finished, extract the Zip inside Explorer into a new folder.
- Back in the Client app, click “Title Upload” in the menu at the top.
- Fill in the form as required by Steam’s guide, ensuring you fill in the Start Command field and you click the checkbox that the game will require Steam Play (because you’re sending it a Windows package).
- Click “Upload” and the app will begin to upload your game to your Deck (And will let you know if there are any issues with your previous settings).
Uploading a Ubuntu Build to the Steam Deck
- Within GameMaker, create a Ubuntu executable of your project and choose to package it as a Zip:
- Once the build has finished, extract the Zip inside Explorer into a new folder.
- Back in the Client app, click “Title Upload” in the menu at the top.
- Fill in the form as required by Steam’s guide. Compared to uploading a Windows package, Steam Play does not need to be selected and you will not need to put a file extension for the Start Command file (which by default will be the same name as your exported project).
- Click “Upload” and the app will begin to upload your game to your Deck (And will let you know if there are any issues with your previous settings).
You may have noticed that the selected “Clean upload” checkboxes are different between our Windows and Ubuntu screenshots - this is purely just your own preference for what you want for your upload each time.
Testing Your Build on the Steam Deck
On your Steam Deck, go to your Library and to the group “Non-Steam”. Here you will find your game under the title 'Devkit Game: GameName'. Select your game and click “Play” to run it.
Gamepad Support
Be aware that gamepad support should work fine straight away and you can always use the Steamworks extension to further handle gamepad support; however, be aware that there is a checkbox on the app's details panel on the Deck where gamepad needs to be enabled if you're using the Steamworks extension.
You should also be aware that your players could turn this off later on and wonder why pads are not working!