Thursday, September 24th 2020
Amazon Launches Luna Cloud Gaming Service
Amazon has joined the ranks of fellow tech giants in launching their very own cloud game streaming service. Luna is a cloud gaming service that lets you play games on compatible Fire TV, PC, and Mac devices as well as through web apps on iPhones and iPads. The new service will compete with Google Stadia, Microsoft xCloud, NVIDIA GeForce Now, SONY PlayStation Now, and more boutique services such as Shadow or Vortex. Luna is currently in an invitation-only stage with initial pricing of 5.99 USD per month for Luna+ while in early access. Luna+ supports gameplay on two devices at once with resolutions of up to 1080p 60 FPS with 4K support coming in the future for select titles.
Luna offers game channels which grant access to a specification selection of games for a monthly fee currently, only Luna+ is offered with a Ubisoft channel coming soon. Luna+ features a variety of action, adventure, platformer, indie, shooter, RPG, racing, and classic games from Ubisoft, Capcom, 505 Games, and Team 17 with more games to be added over time. Some of the major games on the platform include Control, Grid, Resident Evil 7, Metro Exodus, ABZÛ, Overcooked 2, and Two Point Hospital. The Ubisoft channel will include a variety of games including Watch Dogs: Legion with all DLC unlocked for play on a single device for an as of yet unannounced monthly fee.Luna is compatible with the Xbox One controller, DualShock 4 controller, keyboard/mouse, and the Luna Controller. The Luna controller is a new controller designed specifically for the service which can connect to compatible devices over Bluetooth or USB, the controller features Alexa and Twitch integration. Twitch integration allows easy switching between Twitch streams and Luna games on compatible titles. Amazon recommends a minimum internet speed of 10 Mbps for 1080p gaming and 35 Mbps for 4K. While in early access Luna is only available to mainland US.
Source:
Amazon
Luna offers game channels which grant access to a specification selection of games for a monthly fee currently, only Luna+ is offered with a Ubisoft channel coming soon. Luna+ features a variety of action, adventure, platformer, indie, shooter, RPG, racing, and classic games from Ubisoft, Capcom, 505 Games, and Team 17 with more games to be added over time. Some of the major games on the platform include Control, Grid, Resident Evil 7, Metro Exodus, ABZÛ, Overcooked 2, and Two Point Hospital. The Ubisoft channel will include a variety of games including Watch Dogs: Legion with all DLC unlocked for play on a single device for an as of yet unannounced monthly fee.Luna is compatible with the Xbox One controller, DualShock 4 controller, keyboard/mouse, and the Luna Controller. The Luna controller is a new controller designed specifically for the service which can connect to compatible devices over Bluetooth or USB, the controller features Alexa and Twitch integration. Twitch integration allows easy switching between Twitch streams and Luna games on compatible titles. Amazon recommends a minimum internet speed of 10 Mbps for 1080p gaming and 35 Mbps for 4K. While in early access Luna is only available to mainland US.
8 Comments on Amazon Launches Luna Cloud Gaming Service
Sort of like a Roku with streaming gaming functionality added in. Basically, something to warrant as a mini-media center and console replacement (rather, console alternative for those on a budget). That would already leapfrog Stadia and most of its still-missing features, while providing something tangible besides yet another online gaming subscription service, and plays well for the existing Amazon ecosystem many have locked themselves into. Maybe also throw a discount for Prime users, to further encourage adoption of specialized peripherals like the Luna controller (and aforementioned theoretical "Luna Box") and subscription to the service. Something like Free Luna (Basic 1080p) for Prime users and 3.99/mo Luna+ for Prime users wanting >1080p gaming and priority access.
stream gaming cloud gaming ... use the argument of not needing a powerful configuration, indeed they remove one limitation .... but add a boatload of other ...
you want inexpensive HW (limited capacity to do other thing than playing/watching/browsing) for gaming : console,
you want versatility : PC,
you want all limitation for just one "advantage" cloud gaming ...
again, i prefer to buy and "own" my games (even on dematerialized platform) and be able to mod it if wanted and possible and patch it if needed (community patch on cloud gaming? fat chance .... welcome to un checked bugs because the devs do not care and the community can't do a thing thanks to the "cloud gaming revolution")
sometime i stream my STEAM library games to my phone for fun ... to simulate some of the issues cloud gaming have, although the game are "mine" patched/mod'ed and the short distance (same network) make it almost enjoyable.
If I were interested in game streaming services I would definitely check it out.