# Cloud Gaming - Overview ## GeForce Now (GFN) ![](https://i.imgur.com/eT7Y29T.png) ### General #### 👍 Positive - Closest experience to a local game session in terms of both quality and performance, including support for ray tracing. - Links to existing storefronts (Steam, Epic, Ubisoft) and allows you to stream your existing purchases. You don't buy games on GFN, you buy them directly on the linked stores. - Almost 1500 games are available (22/10/2022), with more titles being added each week. - The opt-in model drastically lowers the chances of games being removed in the future. There is no limited timeframe for availability - all games stay available once supported. #### 👎 Negative - Visuals are stunning but due to missing support for VP9/AV1, bandwidth usage is also among the highest. - The free tier is limited to 1-hour long sessions and the waiting queue can easily reach 10-15 minutes and more on popular titles. - Priority and 3080 still have session limits (6 and 8 hours). - Logins aren't saved correctly in titles that use their own launcher. This is manageable on PC using password managers, entering a long (hopefully randomly generated) password in a situation in which you are limited to controller support (i.e. your TV) each time you want to play, is a big inconvenience. ### Pricing * **Free**: 0$ / month * **Priority**: 9.99$ / month, 49.99$ / 6 months (~8.33$/month) * **3080**: 19.99$ / month, 99.99$ / 6 months (~16.66$/month) ### Supported Resolutions * 1080p @ 60fps * 1440p @ 120fps (3080) * 4K @ 60fps (3080) ### Hardware Info #### Available Hardware ![](https://i.imgur.com/2B2Saeq.jpg) #### Priority Source: [Ashes of the Singularity - Benchmark](https://www.pcgameshardware.de/Streaming-Dienst-Thema-268201/News/Nvidia-Geforce-Now-Benchmark-Ergebnisse-RTX-T10-8-Intel-CC150-CPU-1343046/galerie/3359713/) > CPU: Intel CC150 @ 3.50GHz > GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX T10-8, TELSA T10 / P40, A10G-12 (displayed as RTX 2080 / 3060) > OS: Windows 10 #### 3080 Tier Source: [Digital Foundry](https://www.eurogamer.net/digitalfoundry-2022-geforce-now-rtx-3080-review-is-cloud-gaming-finally-a-viable-alternative) > CPU: Threadripper Pro 3955WX > GPU: NVIDIA A10G (displayed as 3080) > RAM: 28GB DDR4-3200 > OS: Windows 10 > DRIVE: PCI-GEN4 SSD --- ## Xbox Cloud Gaming (xCloud) ![](https://i.imgur.com/RLL2IPh.png) ### General #### 👍 Positive - Access to the Game Pass library, included in Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. - Subscription can also be used to access Game Pass on PC/console and includes Xbox Live Gold & EA Play. #### 👎 Negative - Visual quality is among the lowest, suffering from heavy artifacting/color bending. - Performance issues in a lot of titles. - Only available in the "Ultimate" subscription tier of the Xbox Game Pass. - Games can be removed after a given time, usually 6/12/18 months after release on Game Pass. - No option to purchase titles, subscription only. - Limited to controller usage only, with no keyboard/mouse support. - No support for local multiplayer. ### Pricing * **Ultimate** (including cloud access): 14.99$ / month ### Supported Resolutions * 1080p @ 60fps (Series X Hardware) ### Hardware Info Source: [Microsoft @ The Verge](https://www.theverge.com/2021/10/7/22714067/xbox-cloud-gaming-custom-xbox-series-x-hardware-upgrade) > Custom Xbox Series X Hardware --- ## PlayStation Plus Premium (prev. PS Now) ![](https://i.imgur.com/n9cxksE.png) ### General #### 👍 Positive - Access to the PlayStation Plus Collection, also usable on consoles. #### 👎 Negative - High cost if used for cloud gaming exclusively due to only being available as part of the "Premium" subscription tier, with the cloud-only tier being removed in June 2022. - No option to purchase titles, subscription only. - No Android/iOS or browser support. ### Pricing * **Premium** (including cloud access): 17.99$ / month, 49.99$ / 6 months, 119.99$ / 12 months ### Supported Resolutions Source: [PlayStation Blog](https://blog.playstation.com/2021/09/14/ps5s-september-system-software-update-launches-globally-tomorrow/) * 720/1080p @ 30/60fps (depending on played title) ### Hardware Info Source: Sony > Custom PlayStation Hardware --- ## Shadow Cloud Computing (Shadow) ![](https://i.imgur.com/HBWK15K.png) ### General #### 👍 Positive - Your own rented PC in the cloud, not limited to gaming. - Option to install/play any PC title from any storefront, just like you would on your local PC. - Full access to the OS, which gives the ability to i.e. tweak configuration files of games, run post-processing injectors (like ReShade) for better visuals in games, and more. - Additional storage options available. #### 👎 Negative - More demanding titles will have performance issues without the upgrade. - Highest price point of all listed entries, starting at ~3 times the price of most other entry subscriptions. ### Pricing * **Base**: 29.99$ / month * **Upgrade**: 45.00$ / month * **Storage**: 2.99$ / month per 250GB (up to 5TB) ### Supported Resolutions Source: [Shadow Help](https://help.shadow.tech/hc/en-gb/articles/360015445973-Using-the-NVIDIA-Control-Panel-in-Shadow) * 1440p @ 144fps * 2160p @ 60fps * Adjustable resolution/framerate, beyond supported values ### Hardware Info #### Base Source: Shadow Store > CPU: Intel Xeon @ 3.5 GHz (or equivalent) > GPU: NVIDIA Geforce GTX 1080 (or equivalent) > RAM: 12GB > OS: Windows 10 > DRIVE: 256 GB SSD #### Upgraded Source: [Shadow Blog](https://shadow.tech/de/blog/news/power-upgrade-cloud) > CPU: AMD EPYC 7543P > GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070, AMD Radeon PRO V620 (or equivalent) > RAM: 16GB --- ## Boosteroid ![](https://i.imgur.com/oWjshAy.png) ### General #### 👍 Positive - Works with existing services like Steam. #### 👎 Negative - The service had legal issues in the past, forcing them to remove all titles by multiple studios (including Microsoft) from their service. Games are however only removed from the storefront and promotional material. - Boosteroid works on an opt-out basis and allows the user to play/manually install titles without permission from publishers/developers. This includes titles mentioned above, despite being "removed", due to Boosteroid allowing the user to ignore these restrictions. - A lot of publishers restrict streaming/cloud gaming access to their games via the EULA, which can result in your account being restricted when using the service. - Requires a phone number to sign-up. - Connection checks only available after sign-up. ### Pricing Same features, different duration only. * **Base**: 9.89€ / month * **Ultimate**: 89.89€ / 12 months (~7.49€ / month) ### Supported Resolutions Source: [Boosteroid FAQ](https://boosteroid.com/faq/) * 1080p @ 60fps ### Hardware Info Source: Steam System Information > CPU: Intel Xeon Gold 6248 @ 2.5GHz > GPU: NVIDIA GRID GTX P40-12 12GB, NVIDIA GRID RTX6000-12 16GB > RAM: 16GB > OS: Windows 10 (64 Bit) --- ## Amazon Luna ![](https://i.imgur.com/vPn3IVT.png) ### General #### 👍 Positive - Included in Amazon Prime. - Supports the Ubisoft+ subscription. #### 👎 Negative - Currently only available in the US. - Games rotate in and out of the available library. - No option to purchase titles, subscription only. - Library split into multiple (Luna+, Family, Retro, ..) channels, each with an additional price tag. ### Pricing * **Prime Gaming** (included in Amazon Prime): 14.99$ / month, 139$ / 12 months (~11.58$ / month) * **Luna+**: 9.99$ / month * **Family**: 5.99$ / month * **Retro**: 4.99$ / month * **Ubisoft+**: 17.99$ / month (same cost compared to other platforms) * **JackBox Games**: 4.99$ / month ### Supported Resolutions * 1080p @ 60fps ### Hardware Info Source: [Amazon @ The Verge](https://www.theverge.com/2020/9/25/21455610/amazon-luna-game-streaming-windows-nvidia-gpu-servershttps://www.theverge.com/2020/9/25/21455610/amazon-luna-game-streaming-windows-nvidia-gpu-servers) > Amazon’s EC2 G4 Server Instance > CPU: Intel Cascade Lake CPU > GPU: NVIDIA T4 --- ## Blacknut Cloud Gaming ![](https://i.imgur.com/v3bEpny.png) ### General #### 👍 Positive - Up to 5 different profiles (including save games) using the same account/subscription, playable at the same time - Parental controls with individual settings for each profile - Controller and keyboard/mouse input supported - Subscription includes [all available games](https://www.blacknut.com/en/games), with unlimited access / time - Available via [browser or app including mobile, Smart TV and Chromecast/Amazon Fire TV](https://www.blacknut.com/en/download/windows) #### 👎 Negative - Stream resolution limited to 720p - Game library heavily focused on indie / mobile titles - Save games only available for 6 months without active subscription ### Pricing * **Subscription**: 15.99$ / month ### Supported Resolutions * 720p @ 60fps ### Hardware Info * No information available # Personal Take ## Intro After Stadia announced the service will be closing down early next year, I took a deep dive into the available alternatives. I mainly used Stadia as an extension of the PC platform, playing available games (with cross-progression like Destiny 2) on Stadia whenever possible, while still having the option to play locally if a game isn't available or a given port doesn't meet my requirements (i.e. 30fps locked, missing crossplay, ...). I was mainly trying to find an answer to the following questions: ## What service will replace Stadia for me? The answer is fairly easy: **GeForce Now**. GeForce Now offers the games I would want to play (and can't play locally at the given quality, including ray tracing) at the best visual quality, with the same almost native-feeling latency Stadia offers. It takes my existing library from Steam and allows me to play supported titles at a fair price point (even slightly lower compared to Stadia Pro, using Priority in 6-month bundles). Accessibility and comfort aren't on the level Stadia managed to reach (especially on TV), but perfectly fine for daily usage in most cases. ## What service should I recommend to people? It boils down to: * Do you already own a gaming PC or console? * Do you prefer to buy titles, or get a library to choose from via subscriptions? * Do you prefer quality over quantity/accessibility? **If you already own a console** and you're fine with paying a fixed price for a changing library, xCloud and PlayStation Premium are likely your best options. Not only do they allow you to stream your games, but also access a huge library on your given console. If you have kids, paying for a subscription will likely easily keep them busy as well due to new games rotating in regularly. **If you only own a medium to high-end PC** and you're fine with no option to specifically purchase titles (that might be removed from the service down the line), xCloud (via Gamepass Ultimate) is likely your best option for a mix of local and cloud gaming. **If you are looking for something family focused**, Blacknut is a fairly decent option. The service focuses heavily on families with parenting controls and up to 5 profiles on the same subscription, at the same time. You do however sacrifice a lot of quality in terms of game selection and stream quality in return. **In all other cases** I can only suggest GeForce Now. Shadow is a great option if you use it for more than just gaming (i.e. video-editing), but you'll have a hard time justifying the price point for gaming exclusively. GeForce Now simply offers the best ratio of quality, performance, and library availability vs. usage cost. ## Are there services I can't recommend? Yes, **Boosteroid**. [Cloudplay](https://cloudplay.show/) [tested Boosteroid](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlyQKWbkLgE) and pretty much everything that could go wrong, *did* go wrong. * The performance switched from "unplayable" due to latency/performance issues in one session, to "decent" in the next. This is likely related to server availability/stability. * Instead of starting a given game via Steam, Boosteroid simply starts Steam, not the game itself. Nothing stops you from installing any other game via the Steam client (including titles that are removed from the storefront and which are supposed to be removed from the service in general due to previous legal issues). * The service oftentimes didn't use the currently selected language and instead opens login/sign-up forms and other similar things in Russian. * Further research shows that the service likely works similarly to GeForce Now before switching to opt-in in May 2022: Most (if not all) games are simply provided to the user without requesting permission from publishers/developers. On request ([e.g. by Microsoft](https://www.reddit.com/r/cloudygamer/comments/ndisdo/boosteroid_has_removed_a_ton_of_microsoft_games/)), games are simply removed from promotion material, the storefront, as well as not being pre-installed anymore to avoid legal issues. The service doesn't restrict the user from installing them manually. The entire service pretty much sounds (and currently works) like it's made to avoid as many issues as possible for the longest time, to make the most cash — before it eventually crashes into legal issues. Said issues could very easily result in your own licenses for games (played via the service) being restricted.