Xbox Game Pass games on Steam Deck ‘feel good’, xCloud ‘works well’

Xbox head Phil Spencer has praised the way Xbox Game Pass games work on Valve’s upcoming handheld, Steam Deck

Valve’s portable gaming machine, Valve Steam Deck, looks set to shake up the industry. However, even as it looks to ramp up competition in the hardware sphere, the team at Xbox appear keen to see how well the system holds up with Xbox Game Pass and xCloud.

The Xbox brand has itself transitioned into an all-in-one gaming experience, allowing players to stream their console and games via the cloud to their mobile and a host of other devices. The Steam Deck effectively brings the PC and Steam gaming experience to a portable setting, something one might think would have the Xbox team on edge.

However, head of Xbox, Phil Spencer, seems to love the device, claiming many of the biggest Xbox and Microsoft exclusives play well on the handheld.

Sharing via Twitter, Spencer explained that he had spent a bit of time with his own Steam Deck, and was impressed by what it had to offer.

“After having mine most of the week I can say it’s a really nice device,” Spencer said. “Games with me on the go, screen size, controls all great. Playing Halo and Age feels good, xCloud works well. Congrats [Steam Deck] team.”

There were initial thoughts the Steam Deck would be a closed Steam-only platform, however that’s since changed, with other apps, such as Xbox Game Pass and the Epic Games Store, said to be playable on the platform.

This would open up a world of possibilities and would stand to be a huge positive for the Xbox team, as it would make Game Pass appealing to those entering the PC market via the Steam Deck (and don’t already own an Xbox platform).

While I’m personally well-serviced by my phone, Xbox Series X, and Razer Kishi, the Steam Deck with Xbox Game Pass support would make it mighty appealing product.

What are your thoughts? Would you be keen to see the Steam Deck and Game Pass work well? Sound off in the comments below!