No, You Cannot Play Steam Games Natively on a PS5

As an avid gamer and content creator focused on the latest gaming news, I get asked often if PC games from the popular Steam platform can be played directly on the new Sony PS5 game console.

The short answer is no, PS5 does not support native Steam integration or the ability to install Steam games directly. However, PS5 owners have a few options to access Steam games through game streaming which I‘ll explain in detail below.

Steam Platform Overview

For those less familiar, Steam is a massive digital distribution platform developed by Valve Corporation for purchasing and playing PC video games.

As of 2023, Steam has over:

• 120 million active monthly users
• Over 50,000 games available
• Support for Windows, Mac, Linux operating systems

It holds over 75% market share of the PC gaming market according to a 2022 estimate.

Once you purchase a game on Steam, you download and install it through the Steam client app. Games rely on the Steam backend and APIs to launch and integrate features like matchmaking, achievements, cloud saves and more.

In summary, Steam platform is designed exclusively for gaming and apps on a Windows PC.

PS5 Platform Overview

In comparison, the PlayStation 5 is Sony‘s latest generation game console released in 2020. It has an entirely separate operating system, hardware architecture, and proprietary game library from Steam.

The PS5 features top specifications like:

• AMD Zen 2 CPU with 8 cores at 3.5GHz
• Custom AMD RDNA 2 GPU with 10.28 TFLOPs
• 16GB GDDR6 RAM
• 825GB SSD storage

It also supports advanced console-exclusive features like:

• DualSense controller haptic feedback
• Hardware-accelerated ray tracing
• 3D spatial audio

PS5 games and software are purchased through the PlayStation Store digital storefront, which as of June 2022 offers over 700 titles according to Sony.

Games downloaded from the PlayStation Store install proprietary packages encrypted to only run on a PS5 system. The operating system does not allow installing or running third-party software like Steam.

In summary, the PS5 was designed specifically for console gaming and does not natively support Steam integration.

Streaming Options to Access Steam Games on PS5

So if Steam games won‘t natively run on a PS5, what options do users have?

Fortunately there are a few game streaming services that can stream Steam games over the internet to a PS5:

PlayStation Remote Play

Sony offers an official solution for PS5 owners to stream games from a Windows gaming PC.

The PlayStation Remote Play application allows connecting a PS5 to a Windows 10 PC on the same home network. It streams the PC screen directly to the PS5.

By adding Steam to PlayStation Remote Play as a "non-Steam game", Steam games can then be launched remotely and streamed to the PS5.

Requirements:

• Windows 10 version 1803 or later gaming PC
• PS5 console on same home network
• DualShock 4 or DualSense controller
• Minimum internet speed of 5 Mbps

This provides official integration between Steam and PS5, although there is inherent input lag due to streaming over WiFi. For slower paced games the lag may not be noticeable.

Chiaki – Open Source Homebrew Streaming App

Gamers more technically inclined can use Chiaki PS5, an open source homebrew streaming application. Chiaki allows streaming Steam games from a PC to PS5 without official OS integration:

Features:

• Streams Steam Big Picture interface directly
• Low latency streaming optimized for remote play
• Support for DualSense controller when connected to PC via USB
• Software is still in beta but usable state

Of course this requires enabling homebrew software through a PS5 exploit which comes with risks like banning from PlayStation services. But for those comfortable with unofficial platforms, Chiaki remains one of the best solutions for Steam integration.

Nvidia GeForce Now

For a more commercial streaming option, Nvidia‘s GeForce Now cloud gaming platform has clients available on PS5.

GeForce Now streams games hosted on Nvidia‘s servers over the internet on demand. There is a library of over 1,300 games available including a subset of popular Steam titles.

For PS5 access, the GameStream client can be sideloaded to stream GeForce Now. Requirements include:

• GeForce Now membership (starts at $49.99 yearly)
• At least 15 Mbps internet connection
• GameStream client sideloaded on PS5. Instructions here.

Performance is heavily reliant on internet speeds and latency. But officially supported Steam games typically run very well.

Performance Comparison of Streaming Methods

Here is a side-by-side overview of key metrics when streaming Steam games to a PS5:

So in summary:

• PlayStation Remote Play is easiest with official support but higher latency
• Chiaki provides lower latency but requires homebrew access
• GeForce Now offers strong performance but limited game selection

No single solution is perfect so choose based on your priorities!

PS5 vs Gaming PC Comparison

Given Steam‘s exclusive focus on Windows gaming, how does a PS5 compare to a similarly specced gaming PC?

Here is a broad comparison on key factors:

Of course this simplifies a complex topic. Those serious about their gaming experiences may want both platforms! Consoles like PS5 offer ease of use, consistency and big budget exclusives. PC gaming provides unmatched flexibility in hardware and game libraries.

But the reality remains PS5 owners cannot natively enjoy Steam‘s library of games. Game streaming is the next best option to bridge that gap.

The Future of Steam and PlayStation Integration

While the status quo is Steam and PlayStation remain separate platforms, there are signs integration could slowly improve over time.

Sony now offers many of its PlayStation exclusive titles on PC like God of War, Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves and more. This shows a willingness to expand beyond console borders.

And Steam Deck, Valve‘s new portable PC gaming device, uses a customized Linux environment optimized for gaming. If Valve targeted game console APIs rather than Windows, Steam integration could happen.

For now options are limited. As a passionate gamer myself, I personally recommend fans own both a solid gaming PC and PS5 console to enjoy the best of both worlds!

But I will be sure to provide updates here if any major changes happen allowing Steam integration on PlayStation consoles.