Hi! This is where I'll be doing my entries for my Steam Deck Modding and Theme Developing Journal! I was initially thinking of just mixing it in with my usual entries at Smol.Pub, but felt like those topics should be separated. I will also be posting more pictures and screenshots and can host them here directly. Ordered: 19th of March 2023 during the Spring Sale, with 10% off Arrived: 24th of March 2023 Model: 64GB MicroSD: Samsung EVOPlus 512GB
Entries will be sorted from newest to oldest, maybe split into older posts if page gets too long.
15.04.2023
Not really modding related, but I got the Jsaux Bag for the Steam Deck which also fits the Switch in a separate compartment and I can only recommend it. High quality, sturdy, great functionality, versatile. A life saver for commute transportation. I'll get a dock and thumb grips next!
26.03.2023
I've now set this site up and customized the first few things on the Deck today.
Software-wise, I currently set (via DeckyLoader):
Custom boot video (shuffles between default, PSX Startup video, Blackmirror-style video, Stardew Valley-style video, Mandalorian video, Retro Startup video)
Custom suspend video (just the simple suspend font video)
PS5 System Sounds (via AudioLoader)
Wii Home Music (via AudioLoader)
Custom CSS Plugins via CSS Loader:
Outrun Theme - for the button colors and LED stripe
Cartridge Theme - to turn the game select into cartridges; I switch that on OR the Fullscreen Home, because both simultaneously don't work
Fullscreen Home - makes the game select fullscreen so the "What's new" etc. is hidden
Better Blur - to adjust the menu blur effect
Round - Round corners for the game select images
Clean Gameview - changes game view
Game Cover Shine - enhances the shine animation when you select a game
Static Background - setting a custom background for Home And Library. Only relevant when I use Fullscreen Home, because Cartridge Theme overrides it
Top Bar Transparency - to customize the black top bar
vibrantDeck - to adjust vibrancy and colors
Bluetooth - to easily connect already paired bluetooth devices
ProtonDB Badges - more accurate Steam Deck compatibility info
Here's images of the Fullscreen & Static Background layout:
Here's images of the Cartridges Theme:
The theme sadly breaks on the Download page.
Plans
Themes: I am planning to make CSS Themes for the Deck myself, but I still need some time for that. I will probably get the proper dock to make it easier to code on the PC and preview on the Deck.
Cases and Skins: I don't know about cases yet; so far I haven't been a fan of any I saw. I know the vinyl sticker skins have been popular on all handhelds, but I just never see any online by other people that are applied as well as the product images of them. Always, somewhere, it is misaligned or there are creases and folds around curves. I don't really wanna ruin the look with that.
Shell Replacement: I am really interested in replacing the whole shell though! So far, there's only the transparent backplate by jsaux. I think I'm gonna get that one, preferrably in gray or crystal, but I hear mixed opinions about its thermal patch, so I'll research more about that.
Thumb Grips: I really need some thumb grips. I really don't like the design of basically all available cutesy ones (why are like 70% of thumb grips paw prints? why do we need 10 different versions of these and nothing else?), so I think it will be 'boring' black ones that add a bit more volume and shape to the extremely flat joysticks the Deck has
That's that for today! Of course I didn't only tinker. Me and my girlfriend have successfully tested Celeste and Star Wars Squadrons on it :)
