Last updated on October 24th, 2022 at 08:33 pm
Cloud hosting continues to grow at an increasing rate, with new innovations becoming more exciting and enjoyable. You can access information instantly via the cloud by using apps like Spotify, Instagram, and Netflix.
Cloud gaming is also becoming a popular option for the video game industry. This involves hosting and processing games on servers on the internet. Microsoft, Nvidia, and Sony offer easy access to streaming games and the ability to play your favorite games from your device.
These are the top 4 cloud gaming services that offer these benefits.
What is cloud gaming?
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Cloud gaming allows you to play online video games from remote servers. Cloud gaming allows you to play the game remotely from the cloud. Instead of downloading the actual game to your computer, the game streams directly to your device. Cloud gaming also eliminates the need for heavy-duty computers. Sometimes it’s called game-as-a-service or game-on-demand.
Cloud gaming services allow you to access your games and stored data from anywhere, regardless of where you are located. You can access your games from any device as long as there is an internet connection, including a smartphone, tablet, or laptop.
4 best cloud gaming services
Cloud gaming is growing rapidly, and there are many companies that offer these services. Amazon launched Luna, a cloud gaming platform, in 2020. Microsoft also offers Xbox Cloud Gaming services.
These services offer faster load times, better support, larger streaming devices, and more. Let’s take a look at 94 cloud gaming services and each one of their features.
1. Google Stadia
Google Stadia allows you to play your favorite games on your mobile devices, without needing a console or heavy-duty computer. You can also play high-quality games on any computer, as the rendering takes place on Google servers before it streams to your device.
It is currently available in 22 countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom. Google Stadia supports more than 200 games.
Google Stadia offers two pricing options. There are Pro and Free. You can skip the lengthy process of signing up to get instant access to 60 minutes of the full game for free. You can only play a handful of games with the Free plan, such as Infinite and Recharged, Shades of Horror Playable or Calico.
After the Stadia Pro trial, the Stadia Pro package costs $9.99 per month. The Pro package includes more features such as 4K resolution, 60fps, and surround sound support for connections of 35Mbps and greater. Stadia Pro, like Netflix, allows you to add your favorite games to your library with an active subscription. You can also purchase third-party games at a discount price through the platform.
Your internet speed is the most important factor in determining the quality of streaming streams. Google recommends at least 10Mbps for 720p resolution at 60fps with stereo sound. You will also need at least 20Mbps to obtain 1080p, 60fps, and HDR video. You will need to pay around 35 Mbps for 4K resolution.
Read more: Why are SSDs Better than HDDs?
2. NVIDIA GeForce now
NVIDIA GeForceNow is another cloud gaming service. It offers seamless access and allows you to play games on its remote servers. GeForce Now can be accessed via iOS safari on your iPhone or iPad. It also works on Android devices with more than 2GB RAM. This is similar to Google Stadia Shadow and PlayStation Now.
GeForce Now does not offer a games collection, unlike other cloud gaming services like Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and Sony PlayStation. You can’t purchase games such as Amazon Luna or Google Stadia. It is more like a cloud gaming service, such as Shadow, and allows you to connect with your Epic Games Store or Steam online accounts to play your favorite games or purchase them via those online shops.
Important to mention that the platform supports thousands of popular games such as Fortnite, Fortnite, Apex Legends, and Warframe. You can connect almost any game to DRM-supported platforms.
NVIDIA GeForce now offers three membership options: Priority, Free, and RTX3080. Standard access to all supported games, with 60-minute play sessions. The free plan provides standard access. Due to the priority paid members have, this free plan may require you to wait in a queue depending on traffic volume. Priority members have the ability to play up to six hours per session. RTX 3080 subscribers receive eight-hour sessions at a higher resolution.
GeForce Now recommends a minimum 15Mbps for 720p at 60fps and about 25Mbps for 1080p @ 60fps. The RTX3080 plan requires a 35Mbps connection to access 1440p at 120fps. The service recommends a lower than 40ms latency.
3 Now.gg
You can play many popular games online like Minecraft Now.gg. You can try survival mode on a Minecraft trial. It’s the same process: you have to gather resources, fight mobs, and build a shelter. You can buy the full game once you’re ready to dive in and play Minecraft unlimited.
The games on Now.gg can be accessed directly from your browser. Consequently, it can be used even on low-end smartphones and PCs. You don’t need to worry about downloading large files if you have an internet connection.
4. Shadow
Shadow is a Windows PC that can be accessed remotely from the cloud. It supports Windows, Android, and Android TV, iOS as well as macOS and Linux. Shadow is a top-rated cloud gaming service, and its “high-performance gaming, accessible for everyone” reputation makes it one of the most trusted.
Shadow is different from GeForce. Shadow allows you to connect to digital rights services remotely. It supports all games that run on Windows 10 computers. You can download any game you like and play it as long as there are no disks.
Shadow is somewhat expensive when compared to other services in terms of pricing. Shadow offers a Power Upgrade that allows you to increase your base subscription. You can get faster performance, 4K views, and Hardware-accelerated Ray Tracing for $14.99 more per month. You will need to pay $2.99 more for 256GB storage.
The platform recommends a minimum of 15 Mbps for any kind of internet connection including DSL, cable, and fibre. You can choose Ethernet or a Wi-Fi network at 5GHz for the best experience.
Which cloud gaming service should I choose?
You have many cloud gaming options to choose from. Each one has its advantages, so make sure to read the information before making a decision. A good internet connection is something you cannot avoid. To enjoy a great experience with cloud gaming, you need a reliable internet connection.
In the future, cloud gaming will be more prominent. Cloud gaming is making video games more popular.
