Imagine this has happened to you more than once: You want to play on your PC... but not "on" your PC. I mean sitting in front of the computer to play, after giving it several hours of your life working and/or studying. The good news is that you can turn your main machine into a kind of server, and access the streaming of your favorite titles from any device, including mobile units and Raspberry Pi. The software that makes this possible is called Parsec, and it offers a very good quality free version.
When it comes to gaming, we are definitely in the future. We have free multiplayer titles a couple of clicks away, online platforms that gift games every week, classics with discounts, very accessible indie projects, all the emulation you can imagine, and more. Add to that the hardware, which beyond its "economic pains" (that's for you, Nvidia), continues to increase its processing power, even in compact formats like the Steam Deck.
As if that weren't enough, there's also streaming. For better or worse, the market titans are doubling down on the "gaming as a service" sector, although there is no shortage of high-profile failures (Stadia). However, streaming can become a personal tool with the right application, and that brings us to Parsec. If you've ever thought about a remote desktop for video games that lets you access heavy titles on your computer using a LAN or an external connection, Parsec is the answer.
Parsec: The Best Way to Stream Your Video Games
In essence, the idea is this: On one hand, we install the hosting software that Parsec offers, and on the other, we repeat the same process with the client software, compatible with Windows, macOS, Android, Raspberry Pi 3 or higher, and Linux distros based on Ubuntu (the alternative is to use Google Chrome, or download the portable app). We create a Parsec account, associate the devices, and the rest is a matter of using the client to access our host.
Don't want to host? Don't worry: Parsec has an Arcade section, where users can share public sessions with very popular games, from Forza Horizon and Cuphead to fighting games and many emulators. Not everyone takes this route, but if you're looking to play with someone else, it's a good starting point.
Obviously, this only scratches the surface of Parsec. Many users use it to connect local multiplayer games (say, Mario Kart with Yuzu), but we've also seen examples like remote video editing. To wrap up, the free version of Parsec limits the experience to a single screen and blocks access to advanced management options; however, you don't need any of that to take your first steps. Give it a try!
Official site and downloads: Click here
