We’ve learned that Xbox streaming works well on Steam Deck, news confirmed by Xbox head Phil Spencer after hands-on time with the new handheld.
Phil Spencer noting that Xbox streaming works well on Steam Deck is actually the company’s xCloud streaming service, which lets you stream your Xbox games to your Windows PC, and even your smartphone. To date over 200 titles support xCloud streaming, including: Halo: The Master Chief Collection, Destiny 2, Forza Horizon 4, The Outer Worlds, and Yakuza Kiwami 2.
With the initial hands-on testing of Valve’s recently announced Steam Deck, users immediately noted that you could wipe the built-in Linux-based OS and throw Windows 10 on the handheld instead.
What remains to be seen is if Phil Spencer’s above photo, which shows xCloud running on the Steam Deck, is running the xCloud interface on the built-in Linux OS or with Windows 10 installed instead.
However, it sounds like Microsoft is working very closely with Valve on Steam Deck in some way, so it would make sense if they got xCloud running natively on it’s default OS.
“Was at Valve this week talking with 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,” Spencer said in a Tweet.
Perhaps even more intriguing is the tweet from Xbox head Phil Spencer today, where he revealed that he, Gabe Newell, and others have been trying out and chatting about Steam Deck all week – and he confirms that Microsoft’s xCloud streaming service “works well” on the handheld.
Valve’s Steam Deck is now available for pre-order in three flavors: $399 (64GB), $529 (256GB), and $649 (512GB), over on the Steam store. To pre-order now you have to had purchased a game prior to June 2021, an effort to help block scalpers and bots.
This is Niche Gamer Tech. In this column, we regularly cover tech and things related to the tech industry. Please leave feedback and let us know if there’s tech or a story you want us to cover!
