Steam Deck users now have another way to access PlayStation games. Asobi: Remote Play is now available for testing on Steam Deck, Steam Machine and other Linux devices, bringing both PS Remote Play and PlayStation cloud streaming to Valve’s platform. A Windows version is also in development.
Asobi is a third-party client developed by Inside Internet. It has already been available on platforms including iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, Vision Pro and Android. The new SteamOS and Linux version is particularly interesting because of its support for PlayStation cloud streaming, which gives it an advantage over many existing Remote Play solutions.
The app can connect to a user’s PS4 or PS5 and stream games through Sony’s Remote Play system. This part is not new, as applications such as Chiaki4Deck have already allowed Steam Deck owners to remotely play games from their PlayStation consoles. What makes Asobi different is that it also supports PlayStation Cloud streaming for users with a PlayStation Plus Premium subscription.
This means users do not always need a PS5 at home to use the app. If a game is supported by Sony’s cloud streaming service, it can be streamed directly to the Steam Deck from the cloud. However, this does not mean that Asobi provides access to the entire PS5 library. Cloud availability depends on Sony’s supported games and the user’s PlayStation Plus Premium subscription.
The free version supports streaming at up to 1080p and 30fps in SDR. It can automatically adjust the bitrate according to network conditions and also supports Remote Play over the internet, so users are not restricted to playing while their Steam Deck and PlayStation are connected to the same local network.
There is also a paid upgrade for users who want higher-quality streaming and more control over the connection. It adds 1080p at 60fps, HDR, upscaling on compatible hardware, low-latency options and manual bitrate controls. The app supports bitrates ranging from 2Mbps to 100Mbps, while the upgraded version also adds broader controller support, including features for DualSense, DualSense Edge and DualShock 4 controllers.
The developer also says that compatible hardware can upscale the stream to higher resolutions, which could be useful on devices such as the Steam Machine. This should not be confused with native 4K Remote Play, however, as the original stream from the PlayStation is still limited by Sony’s Remote Play capabilities.
For Steam Deck owners, the cloud streaming feature could be the more interesting part of the app. Someone who already owns a Steam Deck but does not have a PS5 can potentially use PlayStation Plus Premium to stream supported games without buying Sony’s console. It could also be useful for players who only want access to a small number of PlayStation games and do not want to purchase another piece of hardware for them.
There are still some limitations. Apart from requiring PlayStation Plus Premium for cloud streaming, users can only access games that Sony makes available through its cloud service. The experience can also depend heavily on the internet connection, particularly when playing games through cloud streaming rather than Remote Play.
Asobi is also unofficial software, so users should consider that before connecting their PlayStation Network accounts. The application requires PlayStation account authentication to provide its PlayStation features, and it is not developed or supported by Sony. While the developer has been actively maintaining the app, users still need to decide whether they are comfortable using a third-party client for their PlayStation account.
Sony’s response is another question. The company already offers its own Remote Play software and PlayStation Portal, and it has been expanding cloud streaming on the Portal for PlayStation Plus Premium subscribers. Asobi is effectively bringing some of those capabilities to hardware that Sony does not officially support.
That does not necessarily mean Sony will take action against the application, but its future could depend partly on how Sony treats third-party clients that access its services.
Early PlayTest impressions have reportedly been positive, with some Steam Deck users praising the image quality and low latency compared with other Remote Play solutions. There are also reports of limitations with cloud streaming and game availability, which is understandable while the Linux version is still being tested.
The Linux version is currently available through Steam’s PlayTest, while the developer is also working on a Windows version. The final release should give us a better idea of how far Asobi can go with its PlayStation cloud and Remote Play support.
