Hello, fellow gamers! Today, we’re diving into an exciting topic that’s been buzzing in the gaming community – playing GeForce NOW on the Steam Deck. If you’re a gaming enthusiast, you’ve probably heard about the Steam Deck, Valve’s handheld gaming device that’s been making waves.
But did you know you can enhance your gaming experience by integrating GeForce NOW, Nvidia’s cloud gaming service, into your Steam Deck? Let’s embark on this journey together!
Prepping Your Steam Deck
Before we delve into the nitty-gritty of adding GeForce NOW to your Steam Deck, there are a few things you should be aware of.
- First, GeForce NOW is a cloud gaming service, which means you’ll need a stable and fast internet connection.
- For a smooth 720p@60 FPS streaming experience, you’ll need at least 15Mbps, and for 1080p@60 FPS, you’ll need 25Mbps. If you’re lucky enough to have a GeForce NOW RTX 3080 Membership, you can even stream at 2K@120 FPS and 4K@120 FPS!
- Second, it doesn’t have an official app for Steam Deck yet. However, you can still access the service via a web browser. Keep in mind that it is currently in the early testing stages on Steam Deck, so you might encounter minor performance issues. But don’t let that deter you! The benefits far outweigh these minor hiccups.
- Finally, GeForce NOW allows you to play a variety of titles that are otherwise unavailable on SteamOS, including games like Fortnite, Lost Ark, and The Crew 2. This opens up a whole new world of gaming possibilities on your Steam Deck!
Adding it to Your Library
Now that you’re equipped with the basics, let’s dive into the process of adding GeForce NOW to your Steam Deck.
- The first step is to switch to Desktop Mode on your Steam Deck.
- Next, you’ll need to install Google Chrome via the Discover Store. Once you’ve done that, open Konsole and type in a specific command that will allow your controller to be properly recognized in games.
- The next step is to add Chrome to Steam as a non-steam program. Right-click on Chrome in Steam, go to Properties and make a few changes. Change the name from Chrome to GeForce NOW and append a specific command to the LAUNCH OPTIONS. This command will allow it to run in full screen, making it look like a native app.
- Finally, set the Controller Config to Gamepad with Mouse Trackpad. Voila! GeForce NOW is ready to go. Return to Gaming Mode, open Steam, select GeForce NOW and click Play. You’re now ready to enjoy an enhanced gaming experience on your Steam Deck!
Sprucing Up Your Shortcut with Artwork
To make your shortcut look neat and appear like a native app in Game Mode on the Steam Deck, you can use SteamGridDB or BoilR to get some images. This step isn’t necessary, but it adds a nice touch to your gaming setup.
Possible Problems
You might encounter a few hiccups along the way, such as the error message “There was a problem connecting to GeForce Now.” Don’t worry, there are a few easy fixes.
You can check server status, use a VPN to connect to a different server, run a speed test, or restart your network device. If all else fails, you can reach out to a Customer Care agent or discuss your issue with the community on their forums.
Wrapping Up
While the process might seem a bit technical, it’s quite straightforward once you get the hang of it. Plus, the enhanced gaming experience is well worth the effort!
Remember, the key to a smooth GeForce NOW experience on your Steam Deck is a stable and fast internet connection. And while GeForce NOW is currently in the early testing stages on Steam Deck, the minor performance issues are far outweighed by the benefits.
