From Nintendo Switch to Valve's Steam Deck, the race to dominate the handheld gaming market is well underway. Not long ago, it came into the picture that Sony was finally set to make a much-anticipated comeback in the industry, but the latest entrant to this race is Microsoft, which has revealed the ROG Xbox Ally.
This device is being made in collaboration with ASUS and will launch two variants that will cater to both casual and high-demand gamers.
While Microsoft has mentioned that the device will support Xbox, Battle.net, and other popular PC game stores, it hasn't specifically mentioned whether it will be Steam compatible or not, creating major confusion among players.
Can You Install and Play Steam Games on ROG Xbox Ally?
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+ 2Yes, you should be able to install and run Steam games on the ROG Xbox Ally. While Microsoft hasn't explicitly mentioned whether the ROG Xbox Ally will be Steam compatible or not, it has stated that the device will support Xbox, Battle.net, and other popular PC game stores, which is likely to include Steam and Epic Games Store.
In addition to this, Microsoft said: "Players can discover another way to play as we combine the power of Xbox with the freedom you expect from Windows."
In the end, it is still a Windows handheld, which is why you'll be able to enjoy all the perks and freedom you get from PC gaming, including downloading games from your chosen game stores, as Microsoft mentions.
However, unlike the normal PC experience, you won't boot up to the Windows screen. Instead, you will be redirected into the Xbox full-screen experience. This has been done to minimize background activity and save device memory from performing unnecessary tasks.
click to enlarge+ 2No doubt, Steam is a direct competitor to the Microsoft Store. So, it will be interesting to see whether the ROG Xbox Ally will provide an explicit UI to launch Steam or other store games on it. A common UI for all other third-party providers seems highly practical, like the GOG launcher offers.
The most standout feature of the Xbox Ally will be its ability to sync the progress and achievements across Xbox consoles, PC, and Xbox Ally. If you purchase the Xbox Ally and let's say you do not own a Game Pass subscription, you will still be able to access hundreds of games for free from the Xbox games library.
As of now, there hasn't been any confirmation regarding the pricing of the ROG Xbox Ally. However, considering it is a rebranding of the ASUS ROG Ally itself, you can safely assume pricing will hover in the same range, which is between $649.99 and $799.99 for both variants.
Any more than that will be highly unfeasible as it will be directly facing off against the Switch 2 and Sony's rumored handheld.
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