The Steam Deck just got even more useful.
NVIDIA’s native GeForce NOW app is now available for the portable console, after being teased back at CES.
There are some benefits to using this service even when the game already runs natively on the Steam Deck.
This is a streaming platform, so the Steam Deck is more or less just a display for cloud content.
The company says players could squeeze around 50 percent more use out of the Steam Deck before requiring a charge.
Just now, the Steam Deck became even more practical. After being teased at CES, NVIDIA’s native GeForce NOW app is now accessible on the portable console. Owners of Steam Decks can now stream all 2,200+ games in their library at 60 frames per second in 4K resolution.
Using this service even if the game is already natively available on the Steam Deck has certain advantages. On compatible titles, the integration offers HDR, DLSS 4, and Reflex, and the settings can be raised significantly above normal. The Steam Deck essentially serves as a display for cloud content because this is a streaming platform.
NVIDIA claims that using GeForce NOW will result in a significantly longer battery life than playing games on the console natively. Players could get about 50% more use out of the Steam Deck before needing to pay for it, according to the company. Given that the Deck is a notorious battery hog, this is significant.
Additionally, it enables players to play games that aren’t compatible with handheld devices. In addition to other sources, GeForce NOW pulls its library from Blizzard’s Battle . net, Ubisoft, Game Pass for PC, Steam, and the Epic Games Store. According to NVIDIA, it can run games like Microsoft Flight Sim 2024, Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, Monster Hunter Wilds, and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 “at maximum settings without worrying about hardware limits.”. That is a tempting offer.
The aforementioned games can be played on a large screen by simply docking the Steam Deck to a TV. GeForce NOW is available for free, but there are some serious restrictions. There are typically far longer lines here than with paid subscriptions, and users can only play for an hour at a time. For $30, the company is currently offering a six-month Performance membership. After the time frame is up, this goes back to $50.
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