Cloud Gaming
Ongoing coverage on Cloud Gaming.
Latest coverage
We'll all be streaming our games in about "three years", says Take-Two boss, raising some post-release questions about GTA 6
Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick predicts that the gaming industry will fully embrace cloud streaming within three years, potentially multiplying the effective install base for games. He also expressed skepticism towards generative AI's impact on the industry. The article speculates on how this shift to streaming might affect the release of Grand Theft Auto 6, particularly its PC version, and contrasts Zelnick's views with Sony's recent move away from physical media.
Subscriptions, Clouds, and Streams
NVIDIA announced the upcoming games for GeForce NOW in August, highlighting the service's continued expansion in cloud gaming and game streaming. The blog post details new titles available through the platform.
GeForce NOW Shakes Up August With 26 New Games
NVIDIA's GeForce NOW cloud gaming service is adding 26 new games in August, including World of Warships: Legends, Expeditions: Samurai, and The Sinking City 2. The service is also present at QuakeCon, showcasing high-end cloud gaming experiences on various devices. New titles will be added throughout the month, with a focus on seamless play across multiple screens.
Why Gaming Is Becoming One Giant Digital Entertainment Ecosystem
Gaming has evolved from a niche hobby into a vast digital entertainment ecosystem, integrating consoles, PCs, mobile devices, and cloud streaming. Modern platforms now combine communication, commerce, and entertainment, with features like live streaming, subscription models, and cross-platform play fostering larger communities. Technologies like cloud gaming, VR, and AR further enhance immersion and accessibility, blurring the lines between playing, watching, and interacting, positioning gaming at the core of digital leisure.
Games Inbox: Why are Call Of Duty: Black Ops 1 and 2 so popular?
This article discusses the surprising resurgence in popularity of Call of Duty: Black Ops and Black Ops II, attributing it to nostalgia despite them being straight ports. It also touches on EA's developer layoffs, Amazon Luna's performance, and the ongoing debate about game map size versus content.
Xbox Testing Voice Chat Capture, Achievement Sorting Options, and More in Latest Insider Update
The latest Xbox Insider update introduces new features for Alpha Skip-Ahead users, including voice chat capture in game clips, enhanced Achievement sorting options, and cloud save restoration. Additionally, the wishlist limit has been increased to 1,000 games for all Xbox players. The update also mentions testing for an ad-supported cloud streaming service, separate from Game Pass, which will include titles like Forza Horizon 6 and 007 First Light.
Subscriptions, Clouds, and Streams
Xbox has announced its upcoming lineup of 11 titles for Game Pass, which will include a beta for Gears of War E-Day. The article also touches upon the broader trends of cloud gaming and subscription services within the industry.
This Game Was Labeled A Success. Its Developer Laid Off 85% Of Staff 2 Months After Release.
Despite Netflix management labeling the FIFA World Cup Launch Edition as a successful cloud game release, its developer Refactor Games has laid off 85% of its staff, approximately 80 people. The studio's co-owner, Delphi Interactive, reportedly pulled funding after the game's launch in June. Developers were notified of the layoffs on July 31 and received no severance pay.
No Console Needed: Amazon Hands Out a Free Batman Detective Game
Amazon is offering a free Batman detective game, Batman: Caped Crusader Chronicles, playable on smartphones via its cloud streaming platform, Amazon Luna. The game features 11 episodic cases and detective-themed minigames for up to three friends, requiring only an Amazon Prime membership. This release coincides with the second season of Amazon's animated Batman series and is part of Amazon's effort to increase discoverability of its Luna GameNight lineup.
Unity announces dedicated engine for Netflix Games
Unity has announced a dedicated engine for Netflix Games, aimed at optimizing cloud gaming and simplifying cross-platform development. Netflix-owned Night School Studio has already utilized the engine for its recent titles. This partnership follows Unity's recent announcement of Unity 7, scheduled for beta testing in December and a full release in Q1 2027.
You can now play Xbox games on Hisense TVs without a console
Microsoft has launched the Xbox app on Hisense TVs and other televisions utilizing VIDAA OS. This integration allows users to play Xbox games directly on their smart TVs without the need for a dedicated console.
XBOX App Available on Hisense and VIDAA OS-powered TVs
Microsoft has expanded the availability of the Xbox app to Hisense and VIDAA OS-powered smart TVs. This allows Xbox Game Pass subscribers to stream a library of games directly to their televisions, provided they have a compatible TV and controller. The rollout is gradual, with availability expanding over time.
Subscriptions, Clouds, and Streams
NVIDIA announced that GeForce NOW is offering a 'Back to School' promotion, highlighting its cloud gaming subscription service. The announcement was made via the NVIDIA Blog, emphasizing the accessibility and features of the platform for users.
Unity brings dedicated engine support to Netflix Games
Unity is providing dedicated engine support to Netflix Games, aiming to simplify the creation of titles across Netflix's mobile and television platforms. This collaboration includes optimizations for Netflix's cloud gaming services, enabling studios to develop games for multiple platforms from a single build. Several Netflix titles, such as Unhinged and Squid Game: Unleashed, have already been developed using Unity.
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.
