No matter their gaming platform, it’s unanimous that gamers around the globe want to play Fortnite – so can you play Fortnite on the Steam Deck? The popular battle royale captivated millions of players worldwide with its fast-paced action and competitive gameplay, and following the release of Valve’s handheld gaming system, the Steam Deck, gamers are eager to know if they can enjoy Fortnite on this innovative device.
In this article, we’ll explore the compatibility of Fortnite with the Steam Deck, along with branching out to answer various other frequently asked questions concerning launching into the Storm on Valve’s portable gaming PC.
How to play Fortnite on the Steam Deck
At first glance, you’ll see that Fortnite isn’t available natively through Steam, which might give you the impression that you can’t play it through your Steam Deck. However, don’t be discouraged: you can play Fortnite on your Steam console! There’s a workaround that involves following a series of steps to stream Xbox Cloud Gaming via Game Pass.
While Fortnite is not natively playable on SteamOS as it’s made by Epic Games, these steps allow you to enjoy the game on Valve’s handheld gaming device. An article provided by Microsoft takes you through this process in even more detail, so it’s recommended that you refer to this if you have any problems with your installation.
Step
Download Microsoft Edge
Put your Steam Deck into desktop mode, and go to the Discover Store. From here, search for Microsoft Edge, and hit download.
It’s worth noting that it can sometimes be easier to using your Steam Deck in desktop mode with a keyboard and mouse.
Step
Open Konsole
Next, you’ll want to open Konsole, the Steam Deck’s terminal app. Copy and paste the following command:
flatpak –user override –filesystem=/run/udev:ro com.microsoft.Edge.
With this copied in, you’ll have access to Edge through your controls when you’re in Gaming Mode.
Step
Set up a shortcut to Xbox Game Pass
Here’s how to configure your Edge app to instantly launch Xbox Game Pass.
In your Steam Library, right-click on Edge and press properties. From here, find Launch Options and copy-paste this command after the @@u @@ (making sure to keep the spaces there):
–window-size=1024,640 –force-device-scale-factor=1.25 –device-scale-factor=1.25 –kiosk “https://www.xbox.com/play”.
Give this a save! When you return to Gaming Mode, loading up Edge will send you straight to Xbox Cloud Streaming, where you’ll have access to Fortnite.
Can I play Fortnite offline on the Steam Deck?
No, unfortunately Fortnite requires an internet connection to play, so you can’t play it offline. The game’s online multiplayer nature and constant updates make an internet connection necessary for the best possible gaming experience.
Why can’t you get Fortnite on Steam?
You might find yourself wondering why Fortnite is not natively available on Steam, and hence the Steam Deck, given its popularity and demand. Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney, shed some light on this matter through a series of tweets on X (formerly Twitter). According to Sweeney, the open platform Linux model of the Steam Deck allows for a wide array of kernel configurations, including custom ones. This openness makes the Deck much more vulnerable to cheating, which is a significant concern for MMOs such as Fortnite.
Epic Games’ anti-cheat software, Easy Anti Cheat (EAC), is compatible with Valve’s Proton compatibility layer. However, making a game as massive as Fortnite work properly on the Steam Deck would be a substantial undertaking for Epic Games. At this point, the company just isn’t considering it feasible or worth the effort.
Can I play Fortnite on the Steam Deck while charging?
Like most games, you can of course play Fortnite on the Steam Deck while charging. The device’s USB-C charging port allows for simultaneous gameplay and charging, ensuring you can enjoy uninterrupted gaming sessions. You also have the option of utilizing the hybrid gaming of the Deck, allowing you to dock and charge your console whilst streaming Fortnite to your monitor or TV.
How can I ensure optimal performance while playing Fortnite on the Steam Deck?
To ensure optimal performance while playing Fortnite on the Valve’s handheld, it’s of course recommended to have a stable internet connection and sufficient storage space. Close any unnecessary background applications and consider adjusting the in-game graphics settings to strike the best balance between performance and visual quality.
Final thoughts
So, there you have it – it might not be as straightforward a process as one might think, but playing Fortnite on your Steam Deck is possible through Xbox Game Pass. However, while Fortnite may require these additional steps, there are thousands of other games available that are compatible with SteamOS. Some recommended games for the Steam Deck include popular titles like “Stardew Valley,” “Hades,” and “Ori and the Blind Forest.” These games provide a diverse range of genres and gameplay experiences for Steam Deck owners to enjoy if they’re looking for an alternative to getting a victory royale.
