The gaming industry is buzzing with the possibility of a Nintendo Microsoft Xbox Game Pass deal. Could this be what the Switch needs to push the portable console to an even stronger position?
RELATED: Microsoft Ready to Bring Xbox Game Pass to Nintendo and PlayStation
Microsoft recently announced a deal with Nintendo that could shake up the industry. Call of Duty could be available on the Nintendo Switch for the next ten years if Activision Blizzard's takeover is approved. This is major news, especially since the game hasn't appeared on a Nintendo console since the Wii U was released. If deals like this continue, there's a good chance that Nintendo gamers will soon find Microsoft's Xbox Game Pass on their devices. Steam Deck may face strong competition in the future.
Differences between the Steam Deck and Nintendo Switch
The Steam Deck is Valve's latest console and one of the best Steam Machines ever released. It is very similar to the Nintendo Switch but allows users to access their Steam library and play almost any game in handheld mode. This places the device well above the Switch and even earned it the name “Nintendo Switch killer”.
The two devices also have very different markets.
Nintendo is more family-friendly and focuses on an impressive collection of franchises, such as Pokémon and Legend of Zelda, that can't be played anywhere else. Nintendo's exclusive content has earned it a huge fan base, but the console has only attracted a crowd that prefers Nintendo's very distinct gaming style.
The Steam Deck provides access to a wide variety of games and has found an audience among PC users and those interested in a similar market. Users can play games similar to those found on Xbox or PlayStation and can download them from places like the EA app, Epic Games Store, and Ubisoft Connect.
The Steam Deck's wide variety of options gave it an advantage over the Switch.
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How Xbox Game Pass could compete with Steam gaming
Xbox Game Pass gives players access to a wide variety of games that they can play on console and PC. In the future, Switch users could have access to a much larger game library, including games like Skyrim, Gears of War, Halo Infinite and even Fallout. Each of these franchises has a dedicated fanbase, and making them available on the Switch could attract a whole new audience who might not have thought about picking up the console before.
Choosing between the two consoles in the future could become much more complicated, especially with Nintendo's collection of exclusive games.
As of now, there's no news of Game Pass coming to the Switch, so Steam's deck can rest easy knowing that it's still at the top of the list in terms of competition. However, Valve might have to watch its back, especially if this deal goes well for Nintendo. The video game market seems set to become much more competitive.
RELATED: Xbox says PlayStation pays publishers to keep games off Game Pass
TL;DR
- Microsoft is working out a deal for Call of Duty on the Nintendo Switch.
- This could lead to future deals between the two companies that could eventually bring Xbox Game Pass to the Switch.
- Steam's bridge could face strong competition in the future.