Thanks to an alpha update, some users can play their Steam games in the Xbox browser. This is because the GeForce Now streaming service now works on Xbox.
What it’s about: The online magazine TheVerge reported that alpha testers of the Xbox consoles (Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S) can try out an update on the Xbox Series X.
The update enhances the internal browser of the console, making several new features available. It primarily improves the compatibility of web pages. This is due to the new Chromium engine that Microsoft has provided for its browser.
What does the update bring? Some users report that websites, apps, and programs should work significantly better in the browser.
Additionally, the internal browser now supports web apps such as Google Stadia and Discord.
However, what may be more interesting for many gamers is the support for GeForce Now, as it allows you to stream your Steam games to the Xbox.
Update March 12, 2021: We have adjusted the article, including correcting the prices for GeForce Now.
With GeForce Now, you can play Steam games on Xbox
How does it work? In the alpha version, testers can currently start the GeForce Now streaming service in the Xbox browser and play their games through it. You can play your Steam games this way via Nvidia’s cloud and do not need to install the games on your console.
You can stream your games for free for an hour at a time; afterward, you need to start a new session. If you currently pay €27.45 for 6 months (via Nvidia.com) per month, you can play for 6 hours at a time and also access Nvidia’s ray tracing. All further information about GeForce Now can be found on MeinMMO.de
What is the downside? GeForce Now must also support the games, so you may not be able to play all 500 games from your library.
Additionally, you need a fast internet connection, as you do not install the games but stream them via Nvidia’s servers. Nvidia itself recommends at least 25 Mbps for Full HD; around 40 Mbps is even advisable.
If you want to know how well GeForce Now works, MeinMMO has conducted a test on how well MMORPGs work with GeForce Now.
Can you already take a look at it? To see how well GeForce Now works on Xbox, you can watch a YouTube video. In it, the YouTuber Joe Chip (10,300 subscribers) shows in a video how he plays Steam games via GeForce Now on the Xbox. We have embedded the (English) video here for you:
Joe Chip plays the racing game Wreckfest via GeForce Now on Steam. The game starts without problems and in-game menus can be configured. Cloud saves with Steam should also be possible.
Update on the Xbox Series X currently only available for testers
Is the update already available for everyone? Currently, the update is only available as an alpha feature for users of the “Alpha Skip Ahead” ring. This means that only players participating in the Xbox Insider Program can use the new feature.
You should keep this in mind: The longer you participate in the testing program, the more updates you can test in advance.
For alpha testers, only a very small group of people gets access. You can only become an alpha tester by invitation. The next step is then the beta status.
This is how you unlock the Insider program: If you still want to use the Insider program, you need to do the following:
- Navigate to the Xbox Store on your Xbox.
- Then search for “Xbox Insider Hub” in the search bar.
- On the product page of the “Xbox Insider Hub,” select Buy/Install.
- Then start the app and select “Insider Content.”
- Under System, select the option Xbox One Update Preview and choose either to Participate or Manage.
- Then you can select the preview ring.
When will the feature be available for everyone? As Videogamechronicles reports, the new alpha version is still full of bugs and issues. However, Microsoft is diligently working on fixing the problems.
So you should expect that it may take a few months before the update is officially available for all Xbox players. If you are in the beta channel, you will receive the update earlier.
More games for Xbox: If you are looking for more games for the Xbox Series X, then check out this article: Here we present the best MMORPGs to play in 2021 on PS5 and Xbox Series X.
