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After launching a “beta installation method”, Nvidia is going all in on bringing its streaming service, GeForce Now to the Steam Deck. The graphics card company will be launching a native app for the Linux-based device so that gamers can stream AAA games directly from the cloud to their handheld.
The Steam Deck is still one of the best handheld gaming PC options available. However, even the Steam Deck can’t play everything, as its relatively weak hardware is quickly outpaced by demanding AAA games. This is where Nvidia sees itself stepping in with its streaming service.
GeForce Now has been praised for its performance as a games streaming service, with low latency, a wide range of games, and great performance. However, to use GeForce Now on the Steam Deck right now, you have to jump through a few hoops, rather than being able to just use a single, simple download. That’s what Nvidia is looking to change with its new native Steam Deck GeForce Now app.
GeForce Now allows subscribers to stream games at up to 4K and 240fps, as well as access games that might not typically be able to run on the Steam Deck’s lower-end hardware. For instance, games such as Stalker 2 and Black Myth: Wukong are available on the service.
With its new app, though, Nvidia says that if the handheld is hooked up over a supported dock, you’ll be able to get up to “1440p 120fps HDR” from your Steam Deck, with the right monitor or TV setup.
If Nvidia is launching a native Steam Deck app for GeForce Now, there’s good reason to hope the company will release a version of the app that runs on Linux as a whole. The Steam Deck is running a custom version of Arch Linux, so it’s not too outlandish to assume that it won’t take too much extra effort to expand its support a little further.
GeForce Now came under fire recently, as Nvidia culled how much time you could spend on the service. Rather than allowing users to stream indefinitely once they’ve snagged a spot on the mid-ranged Performance subscription, you can only get six hours of playtime before being kicked off.
Even those paying the full whack for the Ultimate service can only get eight hours before having to log off and log back in again for a new session.
Nvidia is also planning to support GeForce Now on Apple’s Vision Pro, as well as the Meta Quest 3 and 3S. This is going to be done through a browser, rather than a native app, though.
There’s currently no date set for the new GeForce Now Steam Deck app’s launch, but Nvidia states that it should be available later in 2025.
It’s an incredibly busy week for Nvidia, as CES 2025 has seen the company launch its next-generation hardware, the RTX 5000 series. This includes the ludicrously expensive RTX 5090, which is its newest flagship graphics card packing 32GB of VRAM for $2000.
