Cloud Gaming
How Cloud Gaming Is Different Than Streaming Video Games
If you haven't heard of cloud gaming, then you're not alone. Streaming games have similar business models to Netflix and other popular streaming services. PlayStation Now is the leading cloud gaming service, while Microsoft is rumored to be working on xCloud and Xbox Game Pass. Another similar service is Vortex, which requires a separate purchase for most AAA games. Users pay one fee to stream an entire library of games. While this means you'll always have something to play, you also run the risk of losing your favorite games, but at least you'll have a game available to stream at any time.
GeForce Now
If you're not looking to spend a lot of money on your GPU, the most popular GeForce Now plan is the Priority plan. This plan provides the same gaming experience as an entry-to-midrange gaming laptop, with improved access to faster servers and ray tracing support. This plan costs $8.33 to $10 per month. For this price, GeForce Now is a solid choice for casual gamers and occasional speedrunners.
You can use the GeForce Now service on a wide variety of devices, including PCs, Macs, Chromebooks, Shield TV set-top boxes, and Android TV. To use GeForce NOW, your device must have at least 2GB of RAM and Android 5.0 or higher. On iOS devices, you must be using a browser with Safari or Chrome. The minimum requirements vary depending on the type of game you want to play.
To play cloud games, you need a powerful internet connection. This is why GeForce NOW supports consumer gaming PCs. GeForce NOW subscribers get priority access to an RTX 3080 GPU, which is notoriously hard to find since its pandemic. This GPU has the ability to run games on ultra settings and in 4K/60 FPS. The system also works with many other devices, including mobile phones and laptops.
Despite being a cloud gaming platform, GeForce NOW has several disadvantages. First of all, its subscription plans vary from region to region. In addition, the service is not available in every country, and you may have to pay for a subscription to access all games. However, this disadvantage is offset by the additional benefits of cloud computing. With GeForce NOW, you can access games that aren't available for purchase in your region.
In addition to a premium tier, GeForce NOW offers support for multiple devices. Unlike its competitors, it is the only cloud gaming service to offer multi-device support. GeForce NOW also has the largest regional coverage and supports the largest variety of form factors. In addition, you can play games on both devices, with the premium tier only available in a select few regions. It's worth remembering that GeForce NOW offers free trials for the free tier, so make sure to test your internet connection's stability before you make a decision.
Google Stadia
While Google tried to get into the highly lucrative and hardware-centric video games market with Stadia, the service failed to catch on. Now, it looks like Google is focusing on licensing its own game-streaming technology to provide a superior gaming experience. The cloud platform lets gamers play games on any system, including a smartphone or tablet. Because Stadia uses a cloud-based platform, gamers do not have to buy a gaming PC or console to enjoy the service.
Unlike Xbox Cloud Gaming, Stadia does not rely on a dedicated game console. All games are streamed to the platform servers. To enjoy a high-quality experience, players need a high-speed Internet connection and at least 10 MBit/s download and 35 MBit/s upload bandwidth. There are some restrictions, though. Some games cannot be played without a high-speed internet connection.
First, Google's consumer offering will remain the same. The company plans to launch a new service, Immersive Stream for Games, which will enable game developers to stream their games on Google's platform using Stadia technology. Stadia isn't ready for primetime, but it may be able to attract a select group of users. A company that wants to offer its own services can also use Stadia.
Another advantage of using Google Stadia is the ease of game discovery and play. While Google's cloud gaming service is geared toward consumers, it has been working on licensing the technology to third-party companies to use for their own products. In fact, the new service was previously known as Google Stream. However, Google has revealed more information about this new platform. It's possible that Stadia will become a mainstream service that will be used for cloud gaming.
Sony's PlayStation Now
If you're looking for a new way to play games, Sony's PlayStation Now cloud gaming service is worth a look. The service opened this month, and has an impressive game lineup including Western epic Red Dead Redemption, intense yokai action Nioh 2, psychological thriller Judgment, and hilarious sim Moving Out. It also has a robust summer lineup, with games including God of War, Nascar Heat 5, and Olympic Games Tokyo 2020.
One issue with PS Now is that it's hard to see what games are included with a subscription. The games don't always show up in the PlayStation mobile app, and they're generally outdated by the time they're updated. Another major issue with PS Now is that it doesn't offer the latest games, and it doesn't stay in the library long. Sony should make an app for their streaming service that shows what games are included with each subscription.
After the launch of Project Spartacus, PlayStation Now will be dead, and PlayStation Plus will be the only PlayStation service available. Sony is now working on integrating PS Now into the PlayStation Plus subscription, which will allow players to download games from its 300-game library. The service will include games for PS2, PS3, and PSP, and even let users play them on their PCs. Sony's PlayStation Now cloud gaming service isn't expected to be available on smart TVs after mid-2016, but it will continue to be available on other platforms in the future.
PS Now games aren't local--they're streamed from the servers to your console. This means that PS4 games don't have to be downloaded and you won't have to worry about lag. However, there may be some input lag and compressed picture quality. Depending on your connection, you may experience some issues while streaming PS Now titles. So, it's best to try PS Now first before deciding to buy it.
PS Now's games play just like on a console, which means they're low-latency and playable. The vast majority of games are the same as those on a PlayStation, including multiplayer and Trophies. Playing a game on PS Now can also be challenging, especially if you own the discs! However, the service has some limitations. Not all devices are compatible, but it's still a good way to play your favorite games, regardless of your current platform.
OnLive
OnLive's cloud gaming service allows you to play the latest PC games without the need for a gaming PC. Instead of downloading the games yourself, you simply download the game files and then stream them to any compatible device. You'll be able to play games such as Crysis, Titanfall, and many others without ever having to install any software or download a game. And the best part? You can play these games from anywhere in the world.
Although OnLive had high hopes for its cloud gaming service, it faced a difficult time getting new game contracts. The company's spokesman was reportedly tempted to move to greener pastures, and the startup was unable to convince investors that it could make money on the new service. It also faced a challenge in keeping its founder. Nevertheless, the company's employees were able to keep working on it. The company has a bright future, but it has a long way to go.
OnLive is the future of gaming. Instead of constantly upgrading your PC games, you can just log on and enjoy your favourite games with a few clicks. Thanks to OnLive's cloud gaming service, you don't have to worry about the latest hardware, and you can use the same game on multiple devices, including tablets. You can play games free of charge for a while, and you can even test out games before you buy them.
OnLive's cloud gaming service is similar to video streaming services. The games are stored on remote servers and delivered in real time. The service runs in 720p 60FPS, and is currently only supported in three countries. The company has yet to release any details on its future plans, but we'll certainly keep an eye out for new updates. And in the meantime, don't wait until the end of the month to check out their free games.