如果说游戏机在某个领域优于PC 游戏(PC gaming)，那就是在沙发上玩的舒适。Valve在 2015年11 月与(November)Steam 机器(Steam Machine)一起推出Steam Link时就着手改变这一点。
然而，与用户最初的预期相比，该设备的原始版本受到了低于标准的评价和相对错误的性能。Valve于 2018年11 月(November)停产了Steam Link 硬件(Steam Link hardware)，距离发布仅三年——(release –)但该应用程序仍然运行良好。
Steam 流式盒
Steam Link的目的是将游戏直接从您的Steam 帐户(Steam account)流式传输到连接的屏幕。这使用户可以坐在沙发上，在电视上玩(couch and play) Steam游戏，使用他们的计算机作为服务器来运行游戏。
但是命运多舛的Steam 控制器(Steam Controller)出现了问题，这种设备不能完全满足用户群的需求。即使可以使用其他控制器代替原来的控制器，Steam(Steam Link)流式盒的性能也没有预期的那么好。
除非用户有足够的带宽和可靠的 WiFi 连接(a reliable WiFi connection)，否则大多数游戏都会遇到太多输入延迟(input lag)而无法玩。
Steam Link现在作为应用程序存在于兼容的电视、移动设备和Raspberry Pi中。截至上周，Steam Link现在也与iOS 和 Apple TV(iOS and Apple TV)兼容。
Steam 流式盒的工作原理
苹果(Apple)最初拒绝在其设备上使用Steam Link 应用程序(Steam Link app)，但此后他们的决定发生了变化，很可能是因为用户无法再通过Steam Link购买游戏。
然而，Steam Link 应用程序(the Steam Link app)是免费的，只需要良好的互联网连接(Internet connection)即可在您的移动设备上玩您喜爱的游戏，即使您不在家也是如此。
- 对于初始设置，您需要在您的家庭网络(home network)上。在您的PC 或 Mac(PC or Mac)上打开 Steam并在右上角(right corner)查找带有向上和向下箭头的方形图标。
- 按下此图标后，在 iPhone、iPad 或Apple TV上打开(Apple TV)Steam Link 应用程序(Steam Link app)。
- 系统将要求您配对蓝牙或控制器(Bluetooth or controller)或(Controls)使用触控。选择您想要的选项。
- 在此之后，系统会询问您要从哪台计算机流式传输。选择您要使用的系统，您将在移动设备上获得一个代码。
- 在您选择的计算机上输入此代码。
- 然后，移动设备将通过一系列网络测试来确定不同速度下的可靠性。测试完成后，Steam会通知您可以预期的带宽。
- 完成测试后，您可以开始远程播放。但是，如果出现任何错误，系统可能会提示您更新驱动程序。这个过程很简单，只需要很少的时间。
设置Steam(Steam Link)流式盒后，无论您身在何处，都可以流式传输您的游戏。被困(Stuck)在长途巴士通勤(bus commute)中？将您的蓝牙控制器(Bluetooth controller)同步(Sync)到您的 iPhone 并开始一轮文明 VI(Civilization VI)。
只需确保您家中的计算机已打开并连接到Internet，当然Steam已打开。
Valve在解决(Valve)Steam 流式盒服务(Steam Link service)最初出现的许多问题方面做得很好。但是，某些类型的游戏——尤其是FPS 和格斗(FPS and fighters –)游戏——仍然不推荐通过流媒体服务进行。
输入延迟(Input lag)使这些游戏无法玩，流媒体服务总是比直接从源头播放更明显的延迟。然而，回合制RPG(RPGs)、即时战略游戏和许多其他出色的游戏非常适合Steam Link之类的游戏。
您选择的控制器
Steam(Steam Link)流式盒不再受Steam 控制器(Steam Controller)的负担，尽管该设备仍然兼容。您可以使用许多控制器：
- 双重冲击 4。
- 的 Xbox 一。
- 适用于Windows的Xbox 360无线控制器(Wireless Controller)。
- 罗技无线游戏手柄 F710。
- 键盘和鼠标。
还有其他一些控制器可以通过一些调整和一些技术知识来使用，但这五种选择是当今市场(market today)上的主要控制器。如果您愿意， 您甚至可以使用专为 iPhone 制作的标准蓝牙控制器，这对于“移动”游戏玩家来说是一个不错的选择。(Bluetooth controller)
试试Steam 流式盒应用(the Steam Link app)，看看您的喜好。它赋予了迄今为止只有主机游戏才有的便携性。
How To Set Up Steam Link to Stream Games
Іf there is onе area where consoles excel over PC gaming, it’s in the comfort of plaуing on the couch. Valve set out to chаnge this when it debυted the Steam Link alongside the Steam Machine in November of 2015.
However, the original release of the device was met with subpar reviews and relatively buggy performance compared to what users initially expected. Valve discontinued the Steam Link hardware in November of 2018, just three years after release – but the application is still alive and well.
The Steam Link
The purpose of the Steam Link was to stream a game directly from your Steam account to the connected screen. This allowed users to sit on their couch and play Steam games on their televisions, using their computer as a server to run the game.
But problems arose from the ill-fated Steam Controller, a device that just didn’t quite fit the needs of the user base. Even when other controllers could be used in lieu of the original, the Steam Link just did not perform as well as expected.
Unless users had significant bandwidth and a reliable WiFi connection, the majority of games experienced too much input lag to be playable.
Steam Link lives now lives on as an app on compatible televisions, mobile devices, and in the Raspberry Pi. As of last week, Steam Link is also now compatible with iOS and Apple TV.
How Steam Link Works
Apple initially refused to allow the Steam Link app on its devices, but their decision has since changed, most likely because users can’t purchase games through Steam Link any longer.
However, the Steam Link app is free and requires nothing more than a decent Internet connection to play your favorite games on your mobile device, even if you’re away from home.
- For the initial setup, you’ll need to be on your home network. Open Steam on your PC or Mac and look for the square icon with an up and down arrow in the top right corner.
- Once you’ve pressed this icon, open the Steam Link app on your iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV.
- You will be asked to pair a Bluetooth or controller or use Touch Controls. Choose the option you want.
- After this, you will be asked which computer you want to stream from. Select the system you wish to use, and you will be given a code on your mobile device.
- Enter this code on your selected computer.
- The mobile device will then proceed through a series of network tests to determine reliability at different speeds. Once the test has completed, Steam will inform you what bandwidth you can expect.
- After you’ve finished the test, you can start playing remotely. However, if any errors arise, you might be prompted to update your drivers. The process is simple and takes very little time.
Once you’ve set up Steam Link, you can stream your games no matter where you are. Stuck on a long bus commute? Sync your Bluetooth controller to your iPhone and start a round of Civilization VI.
Just make sure your computer at home is turned on and connected to the Internet and of course that Steam is turned on.
Valve has done a good job at smoothing out many of the issues that originally came with the Steam Link service. However, some types of games – most notably FPS and fighters – are still not recommended over a streaming service.
Input lag makes these games unplayable, and a streaming service will always have more noticeable lag than playing directly at the source. However, turn-based RPGs, real-time strategy games, and many other great titles are perfect for something like Steam Link.
Your Choice Of Controller
The Steam Link is no longer burdened by the Steam Controller, although the device is still compatible. There are a host of controllers you can use:
- DualShock 4.
- Xbox One.
- Xbox 360 Wireless Controller for Windows.
- Logitech Wireless Gamepad F710.
- Keyboard and Mouse.
There are still other controllers that can be used with a few tweaks and a bit of technical know-how, but these five choices are the main controllers on the market today. You can even use a standard Bluetooth controller made specifically for the iPhone if you wanted to, which is a great option for “on-the-go” gamers.
Give the Steam Link app a try and see how you like it. It grants the kind of portability that only console games have had until now.
