Before the introduction of video game consoles, I remember playing games using my personal computers. As technology improved, tech companies such as Atari and Magnavox manufactured the first video game consoles. Currently, there are many games you can play on your computer, and you might be wondering if you can play them on your PS5.
So, can you play PC games on PS5? You cannot play PC games on PS5 because your PlayStation 5 cannot read PC games. A PS5 runs on a custom operating system, and it can only play games meant for that specific operating system. PC games are compatible with devices that use operating systems such as Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, or iOS, none of which are used by PS5.
The PS5 cannot read any files meant for Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, or iOS. If you want to play PC games, it is best you buy a gaming computer and not to use a console like the PS5. This applies to if you’re interested in using the Steam service too, as the games on Steam are not compatible with the PS5.
Valve launched Steam in 2003 to offer video game digital distribution services for gamers to update their games and purchase new ones. If you own a steam account and you have been using it to play games, you might be wondering if you can play your steam games on your new PS5.
You cannot play steam games on PS5 because Steam is not available on PS5. Sony, the makers of PS5, have their platform where gamers can access PS5 games. Steam caters to PC gamers, while PS5 cannot play PC games.
The companies that own steam and PS5 have no close relation; hence, it’s difficult to transfer games between the two platforms. Game developers also decide whom to give their license to, and if they give the license to Steam, you cannot access the games on your PlayStation.
Steam is a platform available to devices that run on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. The PlayStation 5 does not run on any of these operating systems, and it will not play any games from Steam.
When a game developer makes their video games, they use specific software that certain gaming machines can read. If the developer makes the game for PC, it will not be compatible with PlayStation software.
When you purchase a game on Steam, you will get a key or code that allows you to play the game on a computer. You cannot use the code or key to play the game on your PlayStation 5. If you want a steam game to play on your PS5, there is no other way around it, and you have to pay for the PS5 version.
Some games are exclusive on steam because of licensing; therefore, you might have to wait longer until the license expires, and the game developer makes the game available on other platforms such as PlayStation.
Steam is a platform introduced by Valve Corporation, while Sony Interactive Entertainment has PlayStation Network to offer various online services to gamers. These two companies do not have any close business relationship; hence, there is no way to share data or games between their platforms.
Sony solely distributes digital PlayStation games through the PlayStation Store and does not allow other companies to do so. If, in the future, Sony and Valve Corporation work together to distribute games, then maybe you might be able to play your steam games on your PS5.
One reason why many video console makers decided to introduce digital platforms is to increase profits from game sales. The more people purchase games through their online platform, the more money they make. When you buy a game on Steam, you can play the game on your computer, but you cannot play it on your PS5. Since Sony did not benefit from the purchase of the game from Steam, they cannot allow you to play the game for free on their console.
Since you cannot play your steam games on PS5, one reason you should keep using Steam is the availability of cheaper games on the platform. Steam has eliminated the need to buy games on discs, which made games very expensive. You also can play on any PC if your current computer is not working. You can log in to your Steam account from any computer and continue playing your games from the last point you saved them.
Steam offers a lot of games compared to consoles. Steam also keeps distributing older games, and if you are an old gamer, you can find many old games on Steam to satisfy your nostalgia. You can enjoy a wide range of games that you used to play as a kid. Steam keeps updating and upgrading games in their catalog, which means you can still play them on newer and better gaming PCs.
The games available to you are based on the information in your account. The games available on Steam are many, and to reduce the amount of time one has to spend looking for a game, the algorithm arranges the games based on your likes.
Therefore, if you play several games based on a particular subject, for example, car racing, you will see many games based on the same title. However, if you lose your login information, you will lose all your titles, and you have to build your preferred games all over again.
Which Gaming Machine Is Good for You, PC or PS5?
The PC gaming versus video game console gaming debate keeps going on, with everyone stating why they prefer one over the other. If you are just interested in gaming, you need to know the merits of each gaming machine before you make a final decision.
PC gaming has several merits, such as better graphics than video consoles, that is if you have a powerful gaming computer. Another merit is that there is no need to pay to play multiplayer games on your PC. You will also have more games on your PC than on your consoles. You can also download mods for games on your PC, something that is restricted on PS5.
Using the PS5 for gaming also has merits, such as powerful performance compared to previous video game consoles. In addition, the PS5 has a faster SSD, which makes gaming better. Other merits of PS5 include backward compatibility, video game streaming, PlayStation plus, and exclusive games.
Also, the hardware inside a gaming computer can outperform many video game consoles. Games on PC can play with graphics set to higher levels with smoother frame rates, and some of the best gaming PCS include the MSI Trident 3, Alienware Aurora Ryzen, HP Omen Obelisk, and Corsair One A100. However, gaming PCs with great performance are very expensive compared to gaming consoles. Therefore, you need to dig deeper into your pockets to acquire one.
Playing multiplayer games is fun because you get to enjoy a game with your friends and other people across the world. If you want to play a multiplayer game on PS5, you have to sign in to your PlayStation Network account, which you have to pay for. If you own a gaming PC, you do not need to pay to play games online. You can save a lot of money and use it to buy more games or upgrade your PC hardware or software.
The number of video games available on PCs is so high, giving you many options to choose from. There are also great games available only on PC before releasing consoles, such as Minecraft. Gaming PCs also have expandable storage, which means that you can install many games without worrying about running out of space. For example, Alienware Aurora Ryzen has a storage capacity of up to 2 terabytes, while the PS5 console has a storage capacity of 825 gigabytes.
Mods or modifications are a big part of the gaming industry where independent developers will add content or enhance the graphics of a video game. For example, Grand Theft Auto games get many mods where people add different characters or items in the game. One common GTA V mod is where you can use a Galaxy Note 7 as an explosive device. Unfortunately, PlayStation 5 does not allow you to play mods because you can only play games bought from the PlayStation store.
One advantage of using a PS5 is the powerful performance that comes with the console. The PS5 is miles better than its predecessors because Sony has improved its speed, performance, and resolution. Sony introduced SSD making the gaming experience much better, especially when you use discs. You can play games in 4K resolution, and it also supports 8K resolution in some games. If you want such resolutions in PC gaming, you have to pay a lot of money.
Sony’s method of ensuring that gamers wait for the next video game console is to release exclusive games. When Sony launches their PlayStation console, they always ensure they have exclusive games to purchase together with the console. PS5 exclusive games include Marvel’s Spider-Man, God of War, and The Last of Us Part I. You can play these exclusive games on PS5 only for a certain time before Sony makes them available on previous PlayStation consoles.
Backward compatibility is very important for all gamers as they can play old games on new video game consoles. Currently, the PS5 can play more than 95% of video games available for PS4. Therefore, you do not need to keep your old PS4 console around to play old games.
You can log in to PlayStation Now and PlayStation VR to check if your favorite games available for PS4 are compatible with PS5. Sony is also making PS5 versions of most games available for PS4, and, in some of them, you will not have to pay anything for the upgrades.
PlayStation 5 can also do other tasks such as streaming movies and television shows. PS5 supports numerous streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, Apple TV, and Amazon Prime, among many others. So, if you are done playing video games and want to watch a few episodes of your favorite television show, there is no need to switch devices. Instead, you can log in to your streaming service provider and watch your shows. You can also watch live shows such as sports on your PS5.
Sony has also introduced PlayStation Plus, which gives you access to around 20 games from the PS4 catalog. You can play first-party games such as God of War and great third-party games like Fallout 4.
PlayStation Plus also offers you 100 GB of cloud storage where you can save your game progress and pick up from where you left on another console as long as it has that game installed. PlayStation Plus also allows you to play Multiplayer games with other people even if they do not own the game.
After checking all these merits, the last thing you need to know before deciding which gaming machine to buy is the price. Gaming PCs are very good, but if you want to own one with great performance, you will have to pay a lot of money.
For example, the Alienware R11 gaming PC has a marked price of 2,600 US dollars, while the PS5 is only 500 US dollars. If you can afford 2,600 US dollars, then you can acquire one of the best gaming PCs in the world. On the other hand, if you want to save money, then a PS5 console is the best choice.
Wrap Up
At the moment, there is no news regarding whether Sony will make Steam games available on PS5. There are several things that Sony and Valve Corporation need to iron out before making Steam games available on PS5, such as profit sharing and protection of intellectual property.
In the meantime, you can purchase a gaming PC and open a Steam account if you want to play Steam games. There is no need to wait on Sony to announce because it might take a long time, and you will be missing out on playing some great games on Steam.
The PC versus console debate will continue for a long time, and it is not clear which side will win. PC gaming has its merits, while console gaming continues to attract more gamers with its own merits. Therefore, when you want to buy a gaming machine, focus on your personal preferences and make your decision based on how they are fulfilled.
