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Microsoft Edge’s new Linux beta supports cloud-streamed games on Steam Deck

Web-based cloud-streaming is now live and awesome on Steam Deck, courtesy of... Microsoft? Sure. We'll take it.

Enlarge / Web-based cloud-streaming is now live and awesome on Steam Deck, courtesy of… Microsoft? Sure. We’ll take it. (credit: Aurich Lawson)

The Steam Deck’s viability as an all-in-one portable gaming machine just became stronger, as it now formally supports a one-click option to get any web-based cloud gaming service working—including Stadia and Xbox Cloud Gaming.

While the Deck comes with both Firefox and Chrome pre-installed, this update does not work with either of those browsers. Rather, Steam Deck owners will need to install and configure the latest Linux beta of Microsoft Edge. Yes, Linux users, Microsoft has come to your rescue.

The process, as detailed on the official Microsoft Edge Reddit community, requires jumping through a few hoops in the Deck’s Arch Linux environment, but it’s a mostly painless way to get a web browser to recognize and translate the Steam Deck’s buttons, triggers, and joysticks as video game input—something the other browsers haven’t gotten around to yet.

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