If you haven't heard of Playstation Now, Google Stadia e Microsoft Project XCloud, don't worry: it's normal. Yes, because although the market is moving in this direction - that of the so-called "cloud gaming" or, if you prefer, streaming video games, the services currently available have not yet reached the same popularity as a similar phenomenon: streaming video content. In short, PlayStation Now today certainly does not have the popularity of Netflix or Disney +. Not yet.
But sooner or later - we are convinced of this - we will be able to reach critical mass and say goodbye to physical media and long downloads. In the meantime, however, why not try at least one?
We therefore decided to analyze Google Stadia, PlayStation Now, Microsoft Project XCloud e NVIDIA GeForce Now to help you understand the strengths, weaknesses, characteristics and costs of each of these services.
PlayStation Now vs Google Stadia vs Microsoft Project XCloud: How much sleep?
The advent of Google Stadia and Microsoft Project XCloud, the latest in chronological order, makes us think that the future of gaming is shifting and orienting the formula true cloud. No more consoles and discs from which to draw data, but a good connection and a reliable service that, why not, can also save us some money. However, the services mentioned above are different from each other under various aspects, such as the requirements necessary for their use, or the methods of use. For this reason it seems obligatory to point out the main characteristics and make a comparison that helps to clarify.
PlayStation Now
PlayStation Now is Sony's cloud-based service of Gaikai. Born in 2014, it has just turned one year old in our country, it is in fact available in Italy from 12 March 2019. With Playstation Now you have the opportunity to subscribe to access an incredibly vast catalog (almost 700 titles) that include giochi for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 2. In short, you can not only enjoy the latest titles but also fish out the games you loved in your youth.
There are two ways to use the service: download and streaming. But be careful, not all games can be downloaded: at the moment in fact PS3 titles are only accessible online. To differentiate the two modes we also find the graphic quality of the video games available: streaming in fact provides for a maximum resolution of 720p, while after the download you can take advantage of Full HD or even 4K (like a classic video game with physical support or downloaded from the PS Store.
PlayStation 5, a few pieces coming out for the new Sony console
No console no download ma ...
Don't have the console handy? Don't panic, PlayStation Now also works on PC. Obviously in this variant it will not be possible to install video games on the computer, you can only count on the online, provided that your connection reaches at least 5 Mbps.
Streaming, however, provides an additional advantage: the saves of the titles played in streaming will remain in the cloud, therefore accessible from both PC and PS4.
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PlayStation Now: prezzo
All new customers can take advantage of a 7-day free trial, which will result in an automatic subscription, unless they cancel before the trial period ends.
PS Now offre three possible payment plans:
- € 9,99 for one month;
- € 24,99 for three months;
- € 59,99 for one year.
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Google Stadia
It is a virtual console which allows you to play video games, through the Google Cloud Platform, from any device that supports Google Chrome (browser, computer, TV and smartphone) o Chromecast Ultra. It is also possible to switch between supported devices without interrupting the continuity of the current game.
The one created by Google is a powerful hardware system that combines But by the full GPU acceleration tech, CPU, memory and server-class storage, which with the power of Google's data center infrastructure can evolve as quickly as the imagination of game creators allows.
The only hardware you will need to play with Stadia it's a controller. The one made in Google has the appearance of a normal pad, like those to which physical consoles have accustomed us for years, which will connect to the cloud via wi-fi But it is not mandatory: Google has given gamers the possibility of using compatible gamepads from other companies, even rivals like Sony.
Distant but united
Google Stadia it is also cross play, it gives you the possibility to play multiplayer through different platforms: for example a Fortnite player for PS4 will be able to challenge one who plays via platform Google Stadia.
Depending on your internet connection, Stadia will adapt by reducing or improving the video quality.
These are the minimum connection speeds needed to play with Google Stadia:
- 10 Mbps or higher: to be able to play with a resolution of 720p and 60 FPS;
- 20 Mbps or higher: To play in 1080p, 60 FPS, HDR resolution with 5.1 surround sound;
- 35 Mbps or higher: To enjoy 4K 60 FPS HDR resolution with 5.1 surround sound.
The "physical" games we are used to always offer the highest quality, so to be able to reach a "4k" we must have a really good connection.
Google Stadia price
On the official Google store you can buy the Google Stadia Premier Edition, which includes a Stadia controller, a Chromecast Ultra and three months of Stadia Pro subscription a € 129.
The subscription only Stadia Pro it costs instead 9.99 € per month. The subscription Stadia Base it has no fixed costs, but you will only pay for the titles you choose to play.
Microsoft Project XCloud
Could Microsoft have missed this new battle between giants? Obviously not, and in fact he gave birth to Project XCloud. But how exactly Project xCloud works? The project essentially "plugs" Xbox motherboards into data centers Microsoft Azure (the same ones that Sony also uses), allowing players to connect to these motherboards and play with hardware (the console) that is not actually owned by them.
All the user needs is: a smartphone / tablet and a controller, or a PC.
Project XCloud is the true equivalent of Stadia. The service has not yet been officially launched, a few days ago it is possible to try it in a demo preview in Europe. 50 titles are available, including Conan Exiles, Crackdown 3, Borderlands: The Handsome Collection, Devil May Cry 5, Forza Horizon 4, Forza Motorsport 7, Gears 5 and Halo 5: Guardians.
To be able to play it you must register through this link, and you need to have:
- one smartphone or android tablet (Android version 6.0 or later, Bluetooth version 4.0+)
- a Wi-Fi internet connection or mobile network with a download speed starting from at least 10mbps
- a wireless controller for Xbox compatible with Bluetooth 4.0 (therefore those of Xbox One S or X)
- Xbox Game Streaming app downloaded on smartphone or tablet
Microsoft Project XCloud price
There is still no information on this as the service is not officially active.
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- Equipped with wireless controller
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NVIDIA GeForce Now
GeForce Now is the cloud-based cloud gaming service of NVIDIA, and offers the ability to play in real time directly from the cloud to your laptop, desktop, Mac, SHIELD TV or Android device. Connect your store accounts and stream play from your catalog or open your favorite free games. Close and save the game for supported games in the cloud and continue where you left off, on any supported device, from anywhere. At the moment you cannot subscribe to the service due to limited and terminated availability of the servers.
There are two subscription methods: Free e Founders. The first is free and allows game sessions lasting up to 1 hour. The second is paid, and allows sessions of up to six hours, at the end of which you will be put on the waiting list until a place on the server is free.
How to play?
With Nvidia GeForce Now, you can download or purchase a video game from services such as Steam or Epic Games, and install it on an Nvidia server. At this point it is possible to play it remotely on a device owned by the player: PC, Mac, android device or an Nvidia device such as the Shield TV.
In addition to downloading and purchasing games from external platforms, it is also possible to purchase some titles from the GeForce Now catalog.
Unless you are using your PC keyboard, you will eventually need a dedicated controller. Click here for the complete list of all compatible hardware.
NVIDIA GeForce Now price
Available by subscription in two versions: Free (free) and Founders (Founders), for a fee. The latter usually offers 90 days of free trial, and was available at a special introductory rate of € 5,49 / month for 12 months, plus a 90-day free trial.
Streaming video games: what are the advantages?
If your connection has the necessary requirements and passes the tests, you can play any game from any device, even if you don't have the latest generation hardware necessary to run that particular title. This is because we remind you that the games are not installed on the device, but on the servers of the provider, be it Google or Microsoft. Portability and continuity are also the masters. Those who travel frequently for work, or alternate between rented homes and parents' homes, will find a great reason to switch to this game mode: carrying a Playstation 4 or Xbox One on the plane is not the best of comfort.
The services also present on consoles are the easiest to buy: they arrived a long time ago and have a great history behind them. Others, on the other hand, such as the one offered by Nvidia, are unfortunately not even sponsored by the company itself, and hardly reach a potential player and push him to subscribe.
The choice
On paper they are all very validi, what drives the choice is undoubtedly the catalog of titles available and the type of connection required / usable (wifi or 4G) with relative speed.
On the Microsoft front we remember Halo or Forza Horizon, for PlayStation titles of the caliber of The Last of Us or Uncharted. Nvidia does not have exclusives, but it does have the endless catalogs of Steam, Uplay and Battle.net on its side. Stadia promises to have a series of first-party games, but also a 'integration widespread within other Google products, with an eye reserved for YouTube.
Can't use su yet Stadia 4G connection is a big minus, as it stands. As for Playstation Now it is the inability to run it on smartphones and tablets. Project XCloud, once active and fully operational all over the world, will certainly give the other two giants a hard time, because the good conditions are all there.
Tagsgoogle stadia Microsoft Project XCloud Nvidia GeForce Now Playstation Now The Netflix of video games: streaming services compared
