Amazon has come out with its own iteration of video game streaming. It seems odd for Amazon, the developer of the free-to-play multiplayer shooter Crucible and MMO New World, is considering releasing a game streaming service when it can't find the right formula for a game to run. reasoning, maybe they're trying to break into a more familiar niche where they know exactly how to navigate? How does Google's Stadia service or Microsoft's xCloud look? Let's compare the three.
Amazon's Luna Streaming Service
Amazon's Luna video game streaming service will work for Fire TV, computers, Macs, tablets, and smartphones. A subscription, called Luna Plus, will cost $ 5,99 per month to use the service. However, when initially launched, it will only be available to those who are invited to participate in the service. It will not be openly accessible to all who wish to test it. You can use a PlayStation 4 or Xbox One controller, but a Luna controller will hit the market for $ 50.
Image via AmazonYou'll be able to stream games that reach 1080p resolution, 60fps, and 4K support has been teased to arrive at a later date. There are a lot of promises “to come” from Amazon. The full list of games is coming soon, with Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed Valhalla leading the way. Additionally, Luna will have Twitch integration so that streamers can directly share their gameplay with their subscribers. Any subscriber who subscribes to Luna while watching a Twitch streamer can instantly switch from watching the game to playing it.
Anyone wishing to use Luna will want to have at least an internet connection of at least 10 Mbps. If you plan to play games in 4K, when it is released you should increase this requirement to 35Mbps. At this time, there is no official release date for Luna. It's coming soon. '
Google Stadia
Google Stadia and Luna are somewhat on a par. Both allow you to stream games to your favorite devices using a secure and reliable internet connection. Unlike Luna, you can choose to buy a game from Stadia for its full price and stream it anywhere, and you were good to go. You can also go for the Stadia Pro option, Google's subscription service, which costs $ 9,99 per month. You can play it on Google smart devices, a browser connected to a Google account, and smartphones with the Stadia app.
Image via GoogleThe service comes with a rotation of games that change every month, and you can purchase them to stream directly to your device of choice at 4K. The list of games available on the streaming service continues to grow, with notable titles like Assassin's Creed Odyssey, Borderlands 3, DOOM: Eternal, Mortal Kombat 11, PUBG, Red Dead Redemption 2 and more. While playing, you can stream them directly to YouTube, and those watching videos of a game online, by pressing a Stadia controller (for those who use it), can directly access the game while watching it on their recommended platform. Stadia wants to help drive YouTube videos forward, and the best way to do that is to have seamless integration.
Much like Luna, you'll want an internet connection of at least 10 Mbps, but 35 Mbps is best for the best results. Stadia's initial launch had been difficult, with many gamers trying to notice it, noticing serious game lag issues and framerate drops.
Microsoft's XCloud
Microsoft xCloud is the third video game streaming service you might want to consider. It is directly associated with the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription, which costs $ 14,99 per month. It comes with a mountain of content on the Xbox Game Pass, and with Microsoft's latest acquisition of Bethesda, the Game Pass just got better. Although it is a Microsoft product, it is available on all devices, but not on iOS at launch, which took place on September 15. Any iOS integration will happen later, but it will happen.
Your Android devices will need to have the Android 6.0 Marshmallow update and Bluetooth 4.0 version, at least, to stream the games. To start streaming these games to your devices, download the xCloud app from the Google Play Store to try it out. You'll also want to attach a compatible controller for working with the games. Just like Luna and Stadia, a 10 Mbps internet connection is required and it is recommended to have an LTE and 5G tower within range.
You won't have to buy any of the overpriced games to play them. They are all available through the Game Pass subscription, and the list of Game Passes only grows as Microsoft builds a full library of content on them.
Of the three, Microsoft's xCloud offers the most games, and probably the best value for money. Unlike Luna and Stadia, the xCloud service was not created to outperform console games, but serves as an alternative for those who couldn't afford the latest console. With all that has been invested in Xbox Game Pass over the past few years, it's a smart move by Microsoft, and the list just keeps growing to build on that fierce reputation.
