Cloud Gaming
Hardware, storefront and ecosystem news for Cloud Gaming.
Latest coverage
Best in Class: Stream PC Games and Study on the Same Laptop With GeForce NOW
NVIDIA's GeForce NOW service is being promoted as a solution for students to play PC games on everyday laptops, turning them into cloud-powered gaming rigs. The service supports streaming titles from platforms like Steam and Xbox PC Game Pass, with Halo: Campaign Evolved being a featured addition. GeForce NOW Ultimate offers RTX-class performance with features like DLSS and ray tracing, accessible across various devices including PCs, Macs, Chromebooks, and handhelds.
Microsoft’s Chaotic Server Outage Was Down To A Single Service Failure
Microsoft's Xbox network experienced a significant server outage that prevented players from signing in, making purchases, and accessing games. Xbox Chief Technology Officer Scott Van Vliet explained the failure was due to a single licensing service and detailed the steps taken to restore functionality. Microsoft is implementing measures to prevent similar single points of failure from impacting services in the future.
Subscriptions, Clouds, and Streams
This article analyzes the impact of Xbox Game Pass, discussing how subscription services, cloud gaming, and streaming were intended to revitalize Xbox. It argues that these strategies may be negatively affecting the company's overall business.
Amazon Gaming boss says high hardware prices could be good news for its Luna cloud gaming program
Amazon Gaming boss Jeffrey Gattis believes that high hardware prices could benefit Amazon's cloud gaming service, Luna. He suggests that as consoles and PCs become more expensive, more consumers may consider cloud gaming solutions. Gattis also noted that Amazon has a clearer gaming strategy now, focusing on reaching players who might be priced out of traditional hardware.
Luna Exclusive Batman: Caped Crusader - Chronicles Announced
Amazon Game Studios has announced Batman: Caped Crusader - Chronicles, a new Batman game that will be an exclusive title for the Amazon Luna cloud gaming platform. This move is part of Amazon's renewed efforts to bolster the Luna service with exclusive content.
Amazon games boss hopes Steam Machine and consoles "pushing well over $1,000" will drive more people to cloud…
Amazon games general manager Jeffrey Gattis believes rising console and PC hardware costs will drive more players towards cloud gaming services like Amazon Luna. He notes that while cloud gaming was once a solution in search of a problem, the increasing price of dedicated hardware makes it a more attractive option for the vast number of gamers who cannot afford expensive consoles or PCs.
Amazon Prime adds free streaming video games for no extra charge
Amazon has integrated its cloud gaming service Luna into Prime Video, making it a free addition for Prime subscribers. This move aims to increase user engagement with Luna, which has struggled to gain traction as a standalone service. The company believes this integration will help reach a broader audience that may not own traditional gaming consoles or PCs.
Xbox Is Officially Testing Free, Ad-Supported Game Streaming
Xbox is currently testing a new free game streaming service that incorporates advertisements. Players will be able to stream their owned games for one hour after watching ads, though specific details regarding ad duration and usage limits are still pending.
Subscriptions, Clouds, and Streams
NVIDIA announced new games coming to GeForce NOW, including an expansion for Path of Exile. Separately, Xbox and Meta are expanding ways to enjoy Xbox Game Pass, highlighting the growing trend of subscription services and cloud-based gaming.
Amazon quietly tucks 5 games into Prime Video — and it’s not chasing hardcore gamers
Amazon has integrated a Games tab into Prime Video, accessible on Fire TV, which features five cloud-streamed games including Fallout 4 and Hogwarts Legacy. This move, merging Prime Gaming and Amazon Game Studios, targets casual viewers rather than core gamers, leveraging familiar titles and its existing Prime subscriber base. The service is currently available in the US and UK, with plans for future expansion.
Xbox Is Putting Ads Before Games, And It Feels Gross
Xbox is testing an ad-supported model for cloud gaming where players can watch ads before playing owned games for an hour. While optional and intended to add value, the author argues this move crosses a line for the industry, potentially leading to more intrusive advertising and broken promises from Microsoft.
With $1,000 Consoles On The Horizon, Amazon Games Boss Offers A Solution That Absolutely No One Asked For
Amazon Games boss Jeff Gattis proposes cloud gaming as a solution to the rising cost of consoles, suggesting it can expand the market to players who cannot afford dedicated hardware. He acknowledges that while consoles are important, the increasing price of hardware, potentially exceeding $1,000, will make cloud gaming a more attractive option for a larger audience. Gattis believes this approach aims to reach underserved players rather than replace existing platforms like consoles and PCs.
Xbox is testing free, ad-supported cloud gaming
Microsoft is testing an ad-supported tier for its cloud gaming service on Xbox. This move mirrors a similar strategy employed by Nvidia's GeForce Now, aiming to offer free access to cloud streaming with advertisements.
Free, Ad-Supported Gaming Is Now Available On Xbox In A Test
Microsoft has launched a test for a free, ad-supported version of its cloud gaming service on Xbox, available to select Xbox Insiders. This initiative aims to make gaming more affordable by allowing players to stream games for up to an hour after watching ads, without interrupting gameplay. The program, previously tested internally, is now being rolled out publicly to explore new ways for players to access games without upfront purchase or new hardware, provided they have a stable internet connection.
Amazon Luna boss thinks rising hardware prices could push more hardcore gamers to cloud gaming — 'You're going to see more people that are priced out of the market'
Amazon's gaming boss Jeff Gattis believes rising hardware prices for consoles and PCs could drive more core gamers towards cloud streaming services like Amazon Luna. He noted that current hardware costs, potentially reaching $1,000-$1,500, could price consumers out of the market. While not Amazon's primary strategy, Gattis sees this trend as a potential tailwind for cloud gaming adoption.
Beginning Ad-supported Game Streaming Test & Learn
Microsoft is testing an ad-supported game streaming service for Xbox Insiders, allowing them to play owned games for free with ads for one-hour sessions. This initiative aims to lower the cost of access to games and expand audiences across supported devices like Xbox Series X|S and PC. The company emphasizes that ads will not interrupt gameplay and will meet the same quality standards as their content.
Amazon Luna Comes to Amazon Prime
Amazon Luna is now available to Amazon Prime members in the US and UK, allowing them to play games online via a Fire TV. This expansion aims to make cloud gaming more accessible to a wider audience.
Quoteworthy
An Amazon gaming executive predicts a future where consoles are no longer necessary for playing games, drawing a parallel to how consumers no longer require physical Amazon Dash devices. This suggests a significant shift towards cloud-based gaming services.
Subscriptions, Clouds, and Streams
Amazon is integrating video games into its Prime Video bundle through its cloud gaming service, Amazon Luna. While not aiming to replace traditional consoles, this move expands the offerings of the subscription service.
Amazon Luna cloud gaming platform now added to Prime Video in the US and UK
Amazon has integrated its cloud gaming service, Amazon Luna, into Prime Video for subscribers in the US and UK. This integration allows Prime members to access a library of over 100 games, including titles like Indiana Jones and the Great Circle and Hogwarts Legacy, directly through the Prime Video app on Fire TV devices. Amazon aims to make game discovery more natural and accessible for its Prime subscriber base.
