There’s nothing worse than finally booting up your Steam Deck, dreaming of smooth Halo headshots or a perfect Forza racing line, only to hit a brick wall before the game even loads. Xbox Cloud Gaming on the Steam Deck is shockingly powerful when it’s set up right, but it’s also unforgiving if you skip a prerequisite. Before you start tweaking browsers or mapping controls, you need to lock down the essentials that make the whole cloud-streaming pipeline work.
Microsoft Account and Xbox Ecosystem Access
At the bare minimum, you need a Microsoft account tied to the Xbox ecosystem. This is the same account you’d use on an Xbox console, Windows PC, or the Xbox mobile app, and it’s where your saves, achievements, and cloud entitlements live. If you’ve ever bounced between devices mid-campaign and picked up exactly where you left off, that’s Xbox Play Anywhere magic doing its thing.
Make sure you can successfully sign in at xbox.com before touching the Steam Deck. If your account has security prompts, expired passwords, or region mismatches, fix those now. Cloud Gaming hates friction, and even a small login hiccup can break immersion faster than a dropped combo.
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Subscription
Xbox Cloud Gaming is not included with standard Game Pass tiers. You must have an active Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription, no exceptions. Ultimate is what unlocks the cloud servers, letting your Steam Deck stream Series X-class hardware instead of relying on local performance.
Think of this like borrowing a max-level character instead of grinding from level one. You’re not running games locally, so the Deck’s GPU and CPU take a back seat while Microsoft’s servers handle the heavy lifting. As long as your subscription is active, your library rotates with Game Pass, giving you instant access to everything from indie darlings to first-party juggernauts.
Network Requirements and Real-World Performance Expectations
Your internet connection is effectively your lifeline, and latency is the real final boss here. Microsoft recommends a minimum of 10 Mbps, but in practice, 20 Mbps or higher with low jitter is where gameplay starts feeling responsive instead of floaty. Wi‑Fi is fine, but a stable 5 GHz connection makes a noticeable difference when timing parries or threading shots through tight hitboxes.
Cloud Gaming is extremely sensitive to packet loss, not just raw speed. If your connection stutters, you’ll feel it as input delay, artifacting, or sudden resolution drops mid-fight. Before moving on, test your network where you actually play, not next to the router, and make sure your Steam Deck can hold a consistent signal without random disconnects.
Understanding Xbox Cloud Gaming on Steam Deck: How It Works and What to Expect
At its core, Xbox Cloud Gaming turns your Steam Deck into a thin client for Xbox Series X-class hardware. Games aren’t installed locally, patched, or rendered on the Deck itself. Instead, every frame is streamed from Microsoft’s servers, while your inputs are sent back in real time, creating a feedback loop that lives or dies on latency.
This setup is why Cloud Gaming can feel magical one minute and brutally punishing the next. When everything lines up, you get near-console visuals, stable frame pacing, and instant access to massive games without touching your SSD. When it doesn’t, missed dodges and delayed shots remind you that you’re playing over the internet, not silicon in your hands.
How Xbox Cloud Gaming Runs on Steam Deck
Xbox Cloud Gaming runs entirely through a web browser on Steam Deck, most commonly Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome in Desktop Mode. There’s no native Linux app, which means the browser is the game launcher, the streaming client, and the input translator all at once. That sounds messy, but once configured correctly, it’s surprisingly clean.
When you launch a game, Microsoft spins up a virtual Xbox console in the cloud and assigns it to your session. From there, your Deck receives a live video stream while sending controller inputs back with every button press and stick flick. Think of it like remote play on steroids, except the console you’re controlling might be hundreds of miles away.
What the Steam Deck Actually Does (and Doesn’t Do)
The Steam Deck’s hardware isn’t rendering textures, calculating lighting, or managing physics. Its job is decoding the video stream, handling audio, and passing inputs through as fast as possible. This is why demanding games like Starfield or Forza Motorsport can run at high settings without tanking performance.
That also means local performance tweaks won’t save you from bad internet. Lowering TDP, messing with GPU clocks, or enabling FSR won’t reduce input lag if your connection is unstable. The Deck becomes a window, not the engine.
Input Latency, Controller Mapping, and Feel
Input latency is the biggest concern for most players, especially in games that demand tight timing. Action titles, shooters, and fighters are playable, but you’ll always feel a slight delay compared to native execution. For turn-based games, RPGs, and slower-paced action, the difference is almost invisible.
The good news is that Xbox Cloud Gaming fully supports the Steam Deck’s built-in controls. With proper browser configuration, the Deck is recognized as an Xbox controller, complete with correct button prompts and analog behavior. Once dialed in, the controls feel natural enough that you stop thinking about the fact you’re streaming at all.
Visual Quality, Resolution Scaling, and Artifacts
Expect dynamic resolution scaling, especially during fast camera movement or chaotic combat. Cloud Gaming prioritizes frame consistency over raw image sharpness, so resolution can dip to maintain responsiveness. On the Deck’s smaller screen, this tradeoff usually works in your favor.
Compression artifacts can show up in dark scenes, fog-heavy levels, or particle effects. This isn’t your GPU struggling; it’s the stream adjusting bitrate on the fly. A stronger, more stable connection reduces this dramatically, making visuals feel closer to native console output.
Game Library Behavior and Save Syncing
Every game you launch behaves exactly like it would on an Xbox console tied to your account. Saves sync automatically, achievements pop instantly, and DLC entitlements carry over without extra steps. You can bounce from Steam Deck to Xbox to PC and never lose progress.
One important expectation to set is availability. The Cloud Gaming library mirrors Game Pass rotations, so games can leave the service. If a title drops off, it’s gone from the cloud unless you own it digitally and it remains supported.
What Kind of Experience You Should Expect
When configured correctly, Xbox Cloud Gaming on Steam Deck feels like borrowing a high-end console whenever you want. Load times are short, performance is consistent, and storage anxiety disappears entirely. It’s not a replacement for native installs in twitch-heavy competitive play, but for campaign-driven games, RPGs, and backlog clearing, it’s absurdly convenient.
Go in expecting a console-like experience with occasional network-driven quirks, not a miracle that defies physics. If you respect its strengths and limitations, Cloud Gaming becomes one of the most powerful tools in the Steam Deck ecosystem.
Switching to Desktop Mode and Preparing SteamOS for Cloud Gaming
If Cloud Gaming already sounds like the right fit, this is where the real setup begins. Everything that makes Xbox Cloud Gaming work smoothly on the Steam Deck happens outside Gaming Mode, inside SteamOS’s Linux desktop. It’s a quick detour, but it’s the foundation for getting console-level performance instead of a janky browser session.
Entering Desktop Mode on the Steam Deck
From Gaming Mode, press the Steam button and scroll down to Power. Select Switch to Desktop, and within a few seconds you’ll drop into SteamOS’s KDE desktop environment. Think of this as the Deck’s backstage area, where system-level tweaks and non-Steam software live.
The controls will automatically swap to mouse-style input, with the trackpads acting as your cursor and clicks. If you’ve never used Desktop Mode before, don’t stress. You’re not doing anything risky here, and everything can be reversed later without bricking your system.
Choosing the Right Browser for Xbox Cloud Gaming
Xbox Cloud Gaming lives entirely in the browser, and browser choice matters more than you’d expect. Microsoft officially recommends Edge, and on the Steam Deck that advice actually holds up. Edge offers the most consistent controller detection, fewer audio hiccups, and smoother stream stability compared to alternatives.
Open the Discover Software Center from the taskbar and install Microsoft Edge if it isn’t already there. Chromium-based browsers like Chrome technically work, but they’re more prone to controller mapping weirdness and occasional stream stutter. If you want the least RNG in your setup, Edge is the safe pick.
Signing Into Your Microsoft Account and Verifying Game Pass Access
Once Edge is installed, launch it and head straight to xbox.com/play. Log in with the Microsoft account tied to your Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription. If you don’t have Ultimate, Cloud Gaming won’t unlock, so double-check your subscription status before troubleshooting anything else.
After logging in, launch a random game to confirm the stream starts correctly. You’re not testing performance yet, just verifying that authentication, streaming, and audio all work. If a game boots and responds to input, you’re greenlit to move forward.
Preparing SteamOS for a Console-Like Experience
Before adding anything to Steam, take a moment to prep the environment. In Edge’s settings, disable unnecessary extensions, turn off background tabs, and make sure hardware acceleration is enabled. These small tweaks reduce latency spikes and prevent microstutters during gameplay.
You’ll also want to set Edge to remember your login and keep cookies enabled. Getting logged out mid-session is the fastest way to break immersion. The goal here is to make Cloud Gaming feel like a native app, not a website you’re babysitting.
Why This Desktop Setup Matters Long-Term
This isn’t just a one-time hoop to jump through. By configuring Cloud Gaming properly in Desktop Mode, you’re laying the groundwork for seamless integration back into Gaming Mode later. Every stability gain here translates directly into smoother frame pacing, cleaner input response, and fewer “this doesn’t feel right” moments in actual gameplay.
Once everything is verified and behaving, you’re ready to bring Cloud Gaming back into Steam itself. That’s where the Steam Deck stops feeling like a workaround and starts feeling like an Xbox you can suspend, resume, and customize at will.
Installing and Configuring Microsoft Edge for Xbox Cloud Gaming
With Desktop Mode dialed in, it’s time to lock in the browser that makes Xbox Cloud Gaming actually feel playable on the Steam Deck. Microsoft Edge isn’t just recommended here, it’s purpose-built for xCloud, and that shows the moment you start tweaking it. This is where you minimize input lag, stabilize streams, and strip away anything that breaks immersion.
Installing Microsoft Edge on Steam Deck
In Desktop Mode, open the Discover Software Center and search for Microsoft Edge. Install the stable release, not Dev or Beta, since Cloud Gaming favors consistency over experimental features. Once the install finishes, launch Edge at least once to let SteamOS register it properly.
If Edge doesn’t appear in Discover for some reason, you can also install it via Flatpak, but Discover is faster and less error-prone. Either way, you want Edge running natively in SteamOS, not through any compatibility layer. That clean install is what keeps latency predictable during longer sessions.
Enabling Xbox Cloud Gaming-Specific Features
Once Edge is open, head into Settings and make sure hardware acceleration is turned on. This offloads video decoding to the Deck’s GPU, reducing CPU spikes that can cause dropped frames or audio desync. Think of this as stabilizing your frame pacing before you ever press Start.
Next, navigate to xbox.com/play and enable Clarity Boost from the in-game menu once a stream is running. This is an Edge-exclusive feature that sharpens the video feed without increasing bitrate, which is huge on the Deck’s 7-inch display. It won’t boost raw resolution, but it absolutely cleans up muddy textures and makes HUD elements easier to read mid-combat.
Optimizing Edge for Controller-First Play
Edge supports the Gamepad API out of the box, which means Xbox Cloud Gaming recognizes the Steam Deck’s controls as a native controller. To avoid weird input drops, keep Edge in full-screen mode once a game launches. This prevents the browser from losing focus, which can otherwise eat inputs during fast-paced action.
You’ll also want to disable any mouse-focused gestures or trackpad scrolling while testing. Accidental cursor movement can pull focus away from the stream, especially in menus. The goal is to make Edge disappear so the game feels like it’s running locally.
Performance and Quality-of-Life Tweaks
In Edge’s privacy and performance settings, turn off sleeping tabs and background task throttling. Cloud Gaming is a constant data stream, and Edge aggressively “optimizing” tabs can introduce microstutters that feel like dropped inputs. This is one of those invisible tweaks that pays off during boss fights or high-aggro multiplayer moments.
Finally, make sure Edge is set to remember cookies and stay signed in. Getting kicked back to a login screen mid-session is immersion-breaking and completely avoidable. Once these settings are locked, Edge becomes a reliable delivery system for Cloud Gaming instead of a browser you have to fight.
At this point, Edge is fully configured and behaving like a dedicated Xbox app rather than a website. With the foundation solid, the next step is integrating it into Steam itself so Cloud Gaming lives comfortably alongside your native library.
Adding Xbox Cloud Gaming to Steam: Creating a Console-Like Game Mode Shortcut
With Edge dialed in and behaving like a dedicated app, the final move is getting Xbox Cloud Gaming into Steam itself. This is what transforms the experience from “browser streaming” into something that feels native in Game Mode. Done right, Cloud Gaming boots like any other title, responds instantly to controls, and never exposes the desktop unless you want it to.
Adding Microsoft Edge as a Non-Steam Game
Switch back to Desktop Mode and open Steam. In the bottom-left corner, select Add a Game, then Add a Non-Steam Game, and choose Microsoft Edge from the list. If Edge doesn’t appear, use Browse and navigate to its executable in the applications directory.
Once added, rename it to something clean like Xbox Cloud Gaming. This matters more than it sounds, since this name is what you’ll see in Game Mode alongside your native library. You’re laying the groundwork for a console-style launcher, not a random desktop shortcut.
Setting Launch Options for Full-Screen Cloud Gaming
Right-click the newly added entry in your Steam library and open Properties. In the Launch Options field, you’ll want to force Edge to open directly into Xbox Cloud Gaming and lock itself to full screen. This removes extra clicks and keeps the browser from breaking immersion.
Use this launch command, replacing the path only if your Edge install is non-standard:
–window-size=1280,800 –force-device-scale-factor=1.25 –kiosk https://www.xbox.com/play
Kiosk mode is the secret sauce here. It strips out tabs, address bars, and UI clutter so Edge behaves like a standalone app. When this boots in Game Mode, it feels shockingly close to launching an actual Xbox dashboard.
Controller Layout and Steam Input Configuration
Before leaving Desktop Mode, open the controller settings for the shortcut. Set the layout to Gamepad with Joystick Trackpad or a standard Xbox-style template. Since Edge already supports the Gamepad API, Steam Input mostly stays out of the way, which is exactly what you want.
Avoid overengineering this with mouse regions or radial menus. Cloud Gaming expects clean, native inputs, and extra layers can introduce latency or misreads. Think of this like reducing input lag in a fighting game: fewer systems between you and the action means tighter response.
Adding Artwork for a Native Game Mode Look
This step isn’t required, but it massively improves the console illusion. In Steam’s library view, add custom artwork for the shortcut, including a grid image and hero banner. Plenty of community-made Xbox Cloud Gaming assets fit the Deck’s resolution perfectly.
When you jump back into Game Mode, this visual polish makes Cloud Gaming feel first-party. No blank icons, no desktop vibes, just another game tile ready to launch. It’s a small touch that pays off every time you scroll your library.
Launching in Game Mode and Final Checks
Return to Game Mode and launch Xbox Cloud Gaming like any other title. Edge should open instantly in full screen, signed in, and ready to play without touching a keyboard or trackpad. If something feels off, like missing inputs or a visible cursor, double-check that Edge stayed in full-screen focus.
From here on out, Cloud Gaming lives exactly where it belongs: in your Steam library, one button press away. The Deck stops feeling like a workaround machine and starts acting like a hybrid Xbox, which is the whole point of this setup.
Optimizing Controls: Steam Input Layouts for Xbox Cloud Gaming
Now that Xbox Cloud Gaming boots cleanly in Game Mode and feels like a native app, it’s time to dial in the most important part of the experience: controls. This is where the Steam Deck can either feel like a perfect Xbox handheld or like you’re fighting the hardware instead of the boss. The goal is simple: zero friction between your inputs and what’s happening on screen.
Xbox Cloud Gaming already understands Xbox controllers at a system level, so you’re not reinventing the wheel here. You’re refining it so Steam Input enhances the experience without adding latency, misfires, or awkward edge cases.
Start With a Native Gamepad Layout
Open the Steam Input layout for your Xbox Cloud Gaming shortcut and select a standard Gamepad template. “Gamepad with Joystick Trackpad” is the safest baseline and works across almost every genre, from twitch shooters to turn-based RPGs.
This keeps inputs clean and predictable, which matters more in cloud gaming than local play. Every extra translation layer adds the potential for dropped inputs or delayed reactions, and that can be the difference between landing a parry or eating a full DPS combo.
Let Edge Handle the Heavy Lifting
Because Edge supports the Gamepad API natively, Steam Input doesn’t need to remap buttons aggressively. In most cases, the Deck’s buttons will be recognized as a standard Xbox controller without any extra configuration.
Resist the urge to add custom keyboard bindings or mouse emulation unless a specific game absolutely demands it. Cloud Gaming is tuned for controller-first design, and forcing mouse-style inputs can cause menus to flicker, cursors to appear, or prompts to swap mid-fight.
Optimizing Trackpads Without Breaking Immersion
The right trackpad can be your emergency mouse, not your primary input. Set the right trackpad to behave as a mouse with click for left-click, but keep it inactive unless touched. This gives you a clean way to handle login screens, pop-ups, or the occasional UI hiccup without reaching for the touchscreen.
Avoid mapping trackpads to camera movement or aiming by default. Xbox Cloud Gaming titles expect right-stick input curves, and emulated mouse aim often feels floaty or inconsistent, especially in shooters with tight aim assist windows.
Gyro: Powerful, But Optional
Gyro aiming can be incredible on the Steam Deck, but cloud latency changes the equation. If you enable gyro, keep it subtle and bind it to activate only when aiming down sights or holding left trigger.
Think of gyro as micro-adjustment, not primary aim. It’s there to help you land headshots or fine-tune camera control, not replace the right stick entirely. Overusing gyro in a streamed environment can amplify jitter instead of reducing it.
Per-Game Adjustments Are Worth It
Different genres stress inputs differently. A fighting game demands frame-perfect button presses, while a strategy title cares more about cursor precision and menu navigation.
Steam Input lets you create per-game layouts even when launching through the same Cloud Gaming shortcut. If you spend serious time in a specific title, clone the base layout and tweak it. That extra five minutes can turn a “good enough” setup into something that feels tournament-ready.
Fixing Common Input Issues
If buttons aren’t registering or prompts keep switching between keyboard and controller icons, the issue is usually focus or layout mismatch. Make sure Edge is fully full-screen and that no mouse region layouts are active.
Also check that Steam Input is enabled for the shortcut but not overloaded with custom bindings. When in doubt, reset to a default gamepad layout and test again. Clean inputs beat clever ones every time, especially when cloud latency is part of the equation.
Once your controls are locked in, the Steam Deck stops feeling like it’s emulating an Xbox and starts behaving like one. Every dodge, reload, and menu snap feels intentional, which is exactly what you want when the action ramps up and mistakes get punished.
Performance, Visual Quality, and Latency Optimization Tips
With inputs dialed in, the last step is making sure what you see and feel actually matches what you press. Xbox Cloud Gaming lives and dies by stream stability, and the Steam Deck’s hardware, network connection, and browser settings all influence whether combat feels crisp or like you’re fighting the lag instead of the boss.
This is where you turn a technically working setup into something that feels shockingly close to native console play.
Choose the Right Streaming Resolution
Xbox Cloud Gaming dynamically adjusts resolution, but the Steam Deck’s 1280×800 display is your secret weapon. You don’t need 4K streams, and chasing them only wastes bandwidth and increases latency.
Stick to the default stream quality and let the service settle around 720p or 1080p internally. On a seven-inch screen, the image still looks sharp, text remains readable, and motion clarity improves because the stream isn’t fighting your connection.
Prioritize Frame Consistency Over Raw Sharpness
Cloud gaming punishes frame drops harder than local play. A momentary stutter can throw off I-frames, timing windows, or parries in games that demand precision.
If you notice micro-hitching, cap the Steam Deck’s refresh rate to 60Hz and disable any experimental frame limiting. Consistent pacing feels better than slightly sharper visuals, especially in action games where rhythm matters more than raw pixels.
Optimize Your Network Like It’s Endgame Gear
Wi-Fi quality matters more than any software tweak. Whenever possible, use a 5GHz network and stay close to the router. Avoid crowded channels if your router allows manual selection.
If you’re playing docked, a USB-C Ethernet adapter is a game-changer. Wired connections dramatically reduce packet loss and latency spikes, which translates directly into tighter aiming, faster menu response, and fewer “I swear I pressed that” deaths.
Reduce Background Load in SteamOS
While Xbox Cloud Gaming runs in a browser, SteamOS still manages system resources in the background. Close unnecessary applications and overlays before launching your Cloud Gaming shortcut.
Disable performance overlays and background downloads, especially if you’re mid-session. The less the system juggles, the more stable your stream becomes, and stability is king in cloud play.
Tune In-Game Sensitivity for Cloud Latency
Even with a strong connection, cloud gaming adds a small delay. Counter it by slightly increasing right-stick sensitivity in-game, not in Steam Input.
This helps actions register sooner without making aiming twitchy. Shooters benefit the most here, but even third-person action games feel snappier when camera movement compensates for the stream’s delay.
Audio Settings Can Affect Perceived Latency
It sounds minor, but audio desync can make input lag feel worse than it is. If audio feels delayed, switch to stereo output and disable surround sound options.
Cleaner audio sync helps your brain align sound cues with on-screen action. That reload click or hit confirm landing on time can make combat feel tighter, even if the actual latency hasn’t changed.
Use Full-Screen Mode Every Time
Always run Xbox Cloud Gaming in full-screen browser mode. Windowed playback can introduce extra compositing delay and cause focus issues that mess with controller input.
Full-screen locks the stream to the display pipeline and ensures Steam Input behaves consistently. It’s a small step that prevents a lot of subtle problems from creeping in mid-match.
Know When Cloud Gaming Isn’t the Play
Some games are more tolerant of latency than others. Turn-based RPGs, strategy games, and slower action titles feel nearly flawless, while hyper-competitive shooters expose every millisecond.
If a game relies on frame-perfect counters or ultra-tight hitboxes, adjust expectations or save it for local hardware. Cloud gaming on the Steam Deck is powerful, but knowing its limits is part of mastering it.
When everything is tuned correctly, Xbox Cloud Gaming stops feeling like a compromise. The Deck becomes a portable Xbox that respects your inputs, delivers clean visuals, and keeps you focused on the fight instead of the tech behind it.
Quality-of-Life Tweaks, Troubleshooting, and Known Limitations
Once the basics are dialed in, a few smart tweaks can push Xbox Cloud Gaming on the Steam Deck from “works fine” to “feels console-native.” This is where you smooth out friction, fix the weird edge cases, and understand the hard limits so they don’t blindside you mid-session.
Lock Controller Order to Avoid Input Bugs
If inputs suddenly stop responding or prompts flip between keyboard and controller, controller order is usually the culprit. Open the Steam overlay, head to Controller Settings, and make sure the Steam Deck controller is set as Player 1.
Cloud Gaming is picky about input priority, especially after sleep mode or reconnecting Bluetooth devices. Locking the controller order prevents dropped inputs during tense moments when muscle memory matters most.
Clear Browser Cache if the Stream Acts Weird
If streams refuse to load, get stuck on the Xbox logo, or downgrade in quality for no reason, clear the browser cache. Corrupted session data can break streaming performance even on a perfect connection.
After clearing cache, fully close the browser and relaunch it from Gaming Mode. This hard reset often fixes black screens, login loops, and sudden resolution drops.
Check Network Stability, Not Just Speed
Cloud gaming lives and dies by consistency, not raw download numbers. Packet loss and jitter hurt more than low bandwidth, especially in action-heavy games.
If possible, use 5GHz Wi-Fi and stay close to the router. Avoid background downloads or devices hogging bandwidth, because even small spikes can wreck hit timing and make dodges feel unreliable.
Battery Life and Thermals Matter More Than You Think
Streaming is lighter than native gaming, but sustained Wi-Fi use still drains the battery. Expect around five to six hours depending on brightness and volume.
If the Deck gets warm, it can throttle slightly, which may introduce micro-stutters. Lowering screen brightness and keeping the vents clear helps maintain a stable stream over longer sessions.
Sleep Mode Can Break Sessions
Putting the Steam Deck to sleep mid-stream often desyncs the session when you wake it up. Audio may lag, inputs might stop registering, or the stream can freeze entirely.
The safest play is to exit the cloud session before sleeping the Deck. It’s not elegant, but it prevents reconnect headaches and lost progress.
Login Prompts and DRM Quirks
Occasionally, Xbox Cloud Gaming will ask you to re-authenticate, especially after system updates or long periods of inactivity. This is normal and not a Steam Deck issue.
Keep your Microsoft account credentials handy and avoid private browsing modes. Persistent logins reduce friction and speed up jump-in time.
Understand the Hard Limits of Cloud Play
No matter how perfect your setup is, Xbox Cloud Gaming requires an active internet connection. Offline play isn’t possible, and server queues can appear during peak hours.
Competitive shooters and games with tight I-frame windows will always feel better locally. Cloud gaming shines brightest when flexibility, convenience, and access outweigh the need for absolute precision.
At its best, Xbox Cloud Gaming turns the Steam Deck into a portable Game Pass machine that respects your time and skill. Treat the tech like part of your loadout, tune it carefully, and you’ll spend more time playing games instead of fighting the system.