Xbox players have discovered a neat trick that lets you play PC games from Steam on Microsoft’s console.
The technique, which has been kept under wraps by in-the-know fans until now, allows you to play titles that are exclusive to PC, like World of Warcraft, Counter-Strike 2, Soulmask, and thousands more, on an Xbox Series or Xbox One machine.
How does it work? Put simply, you can access Nvidia’s game streaming service Geforce Now (GFN) through the Microsoft Edge browser on your Xbox. You can play any game in your Steam library on your console supported by GFN. Best of all, you can do it free of charge if you don’t mind waiting and watching ads on GFN (or pay to skip the queue).
Microsoft has previously suggested that it wants to open up Xbox to third-party games stores at some point — this hack makes that future possible today (sort of).
Here’s a step-by-step guide to the entire process, including information on GFN subscription prices, that should have you running PC games on Xbox in no time.
How to play PC games on Xbox
World of Warcraft was recently added to Geforce Now
Blizzard
Getting PC games to run on Xbox is such a cinch that you’ll be kicking yourself for not figuring it out sooner.
Just follow the below steps and you’ll be raiding on World of Warcraft in no time:
Go to games and apps on your Xbox home page by clicking the dedicated icon at the top of the screen.
Scroll down to apps and then across to the Microsoft Edge tile.
Open the browser and navigate to the Geforce Now website using the URL bar.
Now, log in or register, and choose a game from your Steam library to start playing (you may need to log in to Steam, too).
The trick apparently works on newer Xbox Series consoles and the older Xbox One
Microsoft
We got a Steam game running on an Xbox Series S but encountered some hiccups.
Firstly, the audio seemed off, with a constant ringing noise cutting through the game’s master volume. There was also a noticeable lag in the gameplay, with movements feeling janky.
However, this could be due to an issue on our end as multiple users have got it working without a hitch. If you encounter any problems, we’d recommend using a wired internet connection for smoother gameplay and possibly restarting the game to fix audio issues.
Can you use a keyboard and mouse on Xbox?
Of course, not every PC game is designed to be played with a controller, so it’s just as well that Xbox boasts keyboard and mouse support.
Here’s how to set them up:
Plug a compatible keyboard and mouse into USB ports on the Xbox One. The keyboard should work automatically.
Press the Xbox button > Profile & system > Settings > Devices & connections > select mouse.
Counter-Strike 2 is another PC exclusive you can play on Xbox with this trick
Valve
Geforce Now is a subscription-based gaming service that lets you play games purchased from virtually anywhere that sells PC games online (think Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG.com, Ubisoft, and EA).
A free tier lets you play on basic settings for up to an hour at once, as long as you don’t mind waiting in a queue for access to Nvidia’s servers.
It will cost you £10 per month or £20 per month for the Priority or Ultimate tiers (with six-month and daily rates also available). The Ultimate plan is Nvidia’s answer to a powerful PC system, with RTX 4080 graphics, 4K resolution and up to 240 FPS — but priority should suffice for most players.
What games can you play on Geforce Now?
Geforce Now supports more than 1,500 games, with new titles added to the service every Thursday. You can view its full library here.