Steam may be working on a cloud gaming service like Stadia or xCloud

Steam
Steam (Image credit: Steam)

Steam

Steam (Image credit: Steam)

What you need to know

  • Steam may be working on a cloud gaming service to compete with Stadia or xCloud.
  • A technology called "Steam Cloud Gaming" was leaked by Steam Database.
  • It's unclear if this is remote play technology or an array of servers around the world.

Cloud gaming is the latest obsession gripping the video game industry, and it looks like Valve — the company behind the popular platform Steam — wants to get in on the action. We already know about Google Stadia, PlayStation Now, Project xCloud, and Shadow, but it looks like Valve is developing its own service. At least that's what a recent Steam Database post suggests.

The Twitter account said that Valve is working on a technology called "Steam Cloud Gaming" according to a partner site code update. The post added that "partners will need to sign an addendum to their terms." It's unclear what this means at the moment or what the scope of this is. In order to provide low-latency gaming, you need servers close to users. We haven't heard about Valve doing that at the moment, but you never know. We'll keep you posted as soon as we know more.

What do you think the future of cloud gaming holds? Will it be a field where every publisher has its own service, or will they come under the umbrella of a console manufacturer like Microsoft or Sony? Let us know. It's definitely an exciting time to be a gmaer

Asher Madan

Asher Madan handles gaming news for Windows Central. Before joining Windows Central in 2017, Asher worked for a number of different gaming outlets. He has a background in medical science and is passionate about all forms of entertainment, cooking, and antiquing.