In addition to being a pretty great device all on its own, the Steam Deck makes an ideal stream machine, playing either your own local games from a dedicated gaming PC or cloud games via a service like GeForce Now or Stadia (RIP, Stadia). But actually getting to the service using the Steam Deck’s console-style controls is a bit of a headache. Nvidia is fixing that with the latest update.
The beta method is specifically for the Steam Deck, which can’t easily run the GeForce Now Windows application like the ROG Ally, MSI Claw, et cetera. The Steam Deck needs to use the browser version of GeForce Now, streaming games more or less like an embedded YouTube video. But booting up the browser and navigating to a web page isn’t what the Steam Deck’s library-focused interface is best at.
Nvidia’s solution is more or less the same as loading up any non-Steam application into the Steam interface. On the GeForce Now Download page, you can scroll down to the Gaming Handheld Devices, and click “Get Started” under “Steam Deck (BETA).” Alternately, launch the Steam Deck’s desktop interface and navigate directly to gfn.link/download.
It’ll download an “applet that will install a shortcut to GeForce Now right in your Steam library, making it as easy to launch as any other game. Not bad, not bad at all.
Author: Michael Crider, Staff Writer
Michael is a former graphic designer who's been building and tweaking desktop computers for longer than he cares to admit. His interests include folk music, football, science fiction, and salsa verde, in no particular order.