Steam Could Soon Join the Cloud Gaming Service Party

Steam recently launched the ability to play local multiplayer games online with your friends, and the company could be moving into some more cloud-based gaming services. With both Google and Microsoft investing heavily on their own cloud game streaming service, it’s no surprise to see Steam planning to do the same.

There are barely any details about Steam’s cloud gaming service though. A Twitter account that closely follows changes to Steam recently spotted some code that mentions a “Steam Cloud Gaming” service which could be the company’s game streaming service.

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Steam is obviously yet to announce such a service, but the name is a strong indicator of what the service could be. It seems like Steam might be going for a Google Stadia-like approach where uses would have to buy games on a per-game basis and be able to stream them on their device from Steam’s servers.

As The Verge notes, though, there’s a small chance Steam Cloud Gaming could just be a rebrand of Steam’s existing offerings, so take all of this with a pinch of salt. Still, Steam joining the cloud game streaming service party could be quite major, considering how big Steam is on the PC gaming industry.

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Conversation 5 comments

  • Daekar

    07 November, 2019 - 7:38 am

    <p>Steam should definitely jump in the market, and they should do it by jumping on Microsoft's cloud infrastructure. I have a very hard time believing that they will be able to offer a good UX any other way.</p>

    • justme

      Premium Member
      08 November, 2019 - 3:10 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#487016">In reply to Daekar:</a></em></blockquote><p>Just so long as the option remains to purchase/download/install.</p>

  • Patrick3D

    07 November, 2019 - 12:53 pm

    <p>Technically, you can already play some Steam games using nvidia's "Geforce Now" streaming service. Back in the day of gaming cafes Valve tried to shutdown businesses that offered access to Counter Strike and demanded commercial licensing of the games. Valve is likely working with publishers to get their approval for the new world of cloud gaming. Since they already work with nvidia through Geforce Now I wouldn't be surprised if they offer their own Steam branded front-end to gaming that just uses nvidia's service.</p>

  • Vladimir Carli

    Premium Member
    07 November, 2019 - 5:32 pm

    <p>steam would be a game changer because so many already have plenty of titles already bought on steam. If I could access my steam library in the cloud I would never go for a service where I have to buy my games again. Microsoft should buy steam right now if they are serious in cloud gaming…</p>

  • justme

    Premium Member
    08 November, 2019 - 3:12 am

    <p>As long as it isnt "only on cloud" – I'm fine with it. I will not now, or ever, pay for a service to stream games. I am happy to purchase, download, and install. If that makes me an old fuddy-duddy, so be it. </p>

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