Can You Play Xbox Game Pass on Steam Deck?
The Steam Deck is a revolutionary gaming handheld device released by Valve Corporation, allowing gamers to play PC games on the go. With the rising popularity of cloud gaming services like Xbox Game Pass, many gamers have been wondering if they can play these Xbox-exclusive titles on their Steam Deck.
In this article, we’ll dive into the direct answer and explore the possibilities of playing Xbox Game Pass on Steam Deck. Get ready to learn more about the requirements, workarounds, and potential caveats.
Direct Answer
To put it simply: NO, you cannot play Xbox Game Pass directly on Steam Deck.
Steam Deck is designed to run on Linux and support games through the Steam digital distribution platform. Xbox Game Pass, on the other hand, is exclusively accessible on Windows 10 devices with Microsoft Account authentication. These two platforms don’t seem to be compatible out-of-the-box.
Why Can’t We Play Xbox Game Pass on Steam Deck?
There are a few reasons for this:
- Platform Limitation: Steam Deck runs on a modified version of Linux, whereas Xbox Game Pass is designed for Windows 10 devices. The two operating systems don’t share a common foundation.
- Authentication: Xbox Game Pass relies on Microsoft Account authentication, which Steam Deck doesn’t support.
- Streaming vs. Local Rendering: Xbox Game Pass is a cloud gaming service, but Steam Deck is designed to play local content. The two approaches can’t coexist seamlessly.
Workarounds
While there isn’t an official solution to play Xbox Game Pass directly on Steam Deck, there are a few experimental methods to consider:
- Luma Emulator: The Luma Emulator is a cloud gaming emulator that allows you to play Nintendo 64 and Xbox games on Windows-based devices. Although it’s primarily used for retro gaming, some gamers have tried using it to play Xbox games, including those available on Game Pass.
- Pros:
- Can potentially stream Xbox games to Steam Deck.
- Cons:
- Unclear compatibility with Steam Deck and potential performance issues.
- Pros:
- Containerization: Another approach is using containerization solutions like Docker or WSL 2, which can allow you to run Windows 10 applications (like Xbox Game Pass) within a Linux environment.
- Pros:
- Can create a pseudo-Windows environment within Steam Deck.
- Cons:
- Steep learning curve, and limited hardware resources.
- Pros:
- Cloud Services Alternative: Instead of streaming Xbox games directly, you could opt for cloud gaming services like Nvidia GeForce Now or Google Stadia, which allow cross-platform play on multiple devices, including Android-based devices and Linux.
- Pros:
- Multiple cross-platform options available.
- Cons:
- Limited title availability compared to Xbox Game Pass.
- Pros:
- Requesting a Feature
Fans of both Steam and Xbox are already asking Valve Corporation and Microsoft to support Xbox Game Pass on Steam Deck. Who knows, maybe in the future, there might be a partnership or an emulator to make this happen!
Pros and Cons of Workarounds
| Luma Emulator | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Streams Xbox games to Steam Deck | Limited game compatibility, performance issues | |
| Inexpensive or free | Only experimental, may not work at all | |
| May require constant connection to the internet |
| Containerization | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Create a pseudo-Windows environment | Steep learning curve | |
| Run Windows applications within Steam Deck | Limited hardware resources | |
| Experimental support for Xbox Game Pass | Only theoretical, not officially supported | |
| May require significant technical knowledge |
What’s Next?
While you might not be able to play Xbox Game Pass directly on Steam Deck without workarounds, these options can help you access games available on the platform. As we eagerly await potential updates or agreements between Valve and Microsoft, gamers may look forward to new technologies or services that bridge the gap.
Conclusion:
The Steam Deck offers an exciting new way to experience PC gaming on the go, but when it comes to Xbox Game Pass, a few technical hurdles stand in the way. While workarounds exist, their functionality and limitations are still up in the air. We’ll need to be patient and wait for further announcements on potential collaborations or solutions from Microsoft and Valve.