Benefits and limitations of Steam Link

The digital age has revolutionized the way we play video games. With the advent of platforms like Steam, gamers now access, purchase, and download their favorite games without leaving the comfort of their homes.

One feature that has caught the attention of gamers worldwide is the Steam Link – an application designed to stream games from your PC to your laptop, mobile devices, or TV. Today, we’ll explore the benefits and limitations of the Steam Link, giving you an in-depth understanding of what it brings to the gaming table.

Benefits of Steam Link

For a long time, PC gamers have been restricted to enjoying their favorite titles on desktop screens or laptops. The Steam Link, introduced by Valve, offers a workaround solution to bypass this limitation without needing to buy a dedicated gaming console.

The iOS, Android, Windows, and Mac apps allow gamers to stream games from their Steam Library on a PC to a television or any device in another room. This means you can enjoy your favorite RPG or action game on a larger or smaller screen while lounging on your couch.

Flexibility and convenience

One of the primary benefits of Steam Link is its flexibility. It eliminates the need to invest in expensive gaming consoles or high-end televisions with built-in game systems. All you need is a strong and stable internet connection, and you can stream your preferred games to any television or mobile device within your home.

Furthermore, the Steam Link is incredibly easy to set up. To start, simply download the app, connect it to the same network, and follow the prompts. Once connected, the Steam Link mirrors whatever game is playing on your PC.

Quality gaming experience

Despite streaming over your network, the Steam Link offers an impressive 1080p resolution at 60 frames per second. This quality ensures that your gaming experience is not compromised, providing crisp graphics and smooth gameplay.

Integration with other devices

Another notable benefit of the Steam Link is its compatibility with various gaming controllers. Whether you prefer the PlayStation’s DualShock 4, Xbox One controller, or the Steam Controller, the device seamlessly integrates with these input devices, allowing for a comfortable gaming experience.

Limitations of Steam Link

Despite its numerous benefits, the Steam Link is not without some limitations. These drawbacks mainly stem from network issues, given that the device relies heavily on your home network to function correctly.

Network dependency

The Steam Link requires a robust and stable network connection. If your home network is unstable or weak, you may experience lagging, which can be frustrating when playing games that require precision and quick response times. On offline games, this is less of an issue.

Limited resolution and FPS

While the 1080p resolution at 60 frames per second is quite impressive, it might not satisfy gamers accustomed to 4K gaming. As technology advances and more games are designed to support higher resolutions, this limitation could become more apparent. 4K is currently supported, but it’s not as easy to implement as the native Full HD option available by default right now.

For those with powerful gaming rigs, it’s possible to play at 4K resolution and 60fps by using a wired network connection and capable client device like the Pi 4B. To learn more about how you can maximize and troubleshoot it, check out this official page from Steam.

Gaming PC is needed

Although the Steam Link eliminates the need for a gaming console, it still requires a reasonably powerful gaming PC to run all the games you want. This requirement somewhat limits the affordability advantage that the Steam Link initially presents, but it’s pretty useful for those who already have gaming PCs and laptops.

In 2018, Valve discontinued the physical Steam Link hardware, choosing instead to focus on the Steam Link app for mobile devices and smart TVs. While this decision doesn’t affect existing Steam Link devices, it does mean that customer support and updates for the hardware could become less frequent over time. In addition, Valve can focus more of its resources on the app for more development and new features.

Steam Link has undeniably changed the way we play video games, bringing flexibility, convenience, and quality to the gaming experience. However, potential users must consider the limitations, like network dependency, limited resolution, and the necessity for a gaming PC, before investing in this technology. As with any technology, it’s about weighing the pros and cons to determine if it suits your specific gaming needs and setup.