Xbox Cloud Gaming support could be another big win for the Steam Deck

Date:
Mon, 16 Aug 2021 09:59:15 +0000

Description:
Xbox boss Phil Spencer has confirmed that Valves Steam Deck will support Xbox Cloud Gaming but we dont know how, just yet.

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Here at TechRadar, were very excited about the Steam Deck and not just for the games well be able to play on it .

Valves upcoming handheld is all about versatility, meaning itll be compatible with a range of external hardware and software. That includes VR headsets
like the Oculus Quest , non-Steam marketplaces like the Epic Games Store and even completely different operating systems like Windows 11.

Now, were hearing that the Steam Deck will also work with Microsofts cloud streaming service, Xbox Cloud Gaming, suggesting owners will be able to play supported Xbox titles on their Valve-branded handheld. When will you actually get your Steam Deck? Valve's Steam Deck won't get boosted performance when docked Don't buy the base model Steam Deck

The news comes after Xbox Boss Phil Spencer tweeted his admiration for the Steam Deck following a prolonged hands-on period with the new console. I can say it's a really nice device, he said, Games with me on the go, screen size, controls all great [...] xCloud works well. Was @valvesoftware this week talking w/ Scott, Erik, Gabe about Steam Deck. After having mine most of the week I can say it's a really nice device. Games with me on the go, screen size, controls all great. Playing Halo and Age feels good, xCloud works well. Congrats SD team. pic.twitter.com/q4hWBvkk85 August 13, 2021 See more

Though not clarifying to what extent Xbox Cloud Gaming will work with the Steam Deck, Spencer did say in the tweet that playing Halo and Age feels good [on the console], which we presume to be in reference to specific Halo and
Age of Empire titles. Temper expectations

There is, of course, still the question of just how well the Steam Deck will perform when running AAA titles. Compatibility with these graphics-hungry games is all well and good, but if they dont play well, Valves console wont
be the game-changer the company clearly hopes it will be.

Thankfully, its developers are optimistic. In a recent interview with GamesRadar, Valve designer Scott Dalton said: "We only within the last six months passed over a threshold where we felt like we could actually deliver AAA current titles at good frame rates. All the things you would want out of playing your library.

We know that Valve is targeting a minimum benchmark of 30fps for any games played on the Steam Deck, so the good frame rate Dalton is alluding to here may indeed be in reference to the same figure which should provide competent performance for high-spec titles, even if 60fps has become the threshold to aim for on non-portable consoles like the PS5 and Xbox Series X .

That being said, neither Spencer nor Xbox itself has yet confirmed whether Xbox Cloud Gaming will run through a browser or native app on the Steam Deck, which could dramatically impact the quality of the experience for the player should the former turn out to be the reality.

Still, Spencers clarification that the service will at least be made
available on the device in some capacity is a welcome one, and we cant wait
to put it to the test when it launches in December. The Steam Deck could finally get me into PC gaming

Via GamesRadar



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/news/xbox-cloud-gaming-support-could-be-another-big- win-for-the-steam-deck/


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