If the game doesn't have DRM, you can download it through steam, keep a copy of the files and it will work without steam. AFAIK, Steam doesn't remove things from people's libraries, only from the store. I have a few games that aren't sold anymore, but you I can still download and play them just fine. It's the same on the Steam Deck, but playing a game through Steam is more convenient.

[–] Lipriv30@lemmy.ml 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Can you take that game out of steam and just launch the game that way?

[–] Landmammals@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Yes, drm free games don't need to launch through steam

[–] Lipriv30@lemmy.ml 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

How can I make this happen on the steam deck?

[–] moonburster@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago

You have to use the desktop mode for that and use it as a pc that executes games. Find the game files and execute them. I'm not certain about support for all the controls (I think as long as stram is running it just works)