Game Streaming Options for 2020

(Image credit: Amazon)

Does any streaming service compare to PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X?

Are there any game streaming services that could replace a next-gen system? It turns out there are several options available that could work. However, they all require proper bandwidth and equipment, including the right TV and game controller. Each service has its own issues and advantages, and there are more options available then could be listed in one article. In fact, some services are not available in every state or region, but each company is working to extend their products and services.

This article breaks down 5 services that offer Netflix style gaming options. Several of the streaming services are currently in beta, which means features such as pricing will likely change by the time the products are finalized. This list is presented in alphabetical order and does not suggest that any service is better than the others listed. The Load Screen is not affiliated with or paid for reviewing any of the products listed.

Amazon Luna (Early Access):

The Luna app is Amazon’s entry into the game streaming market. This service is still in beta and the full list of features and games are still growing. Internet connection speed needed is currently 10 Mbps for 1080p and 35 Mbps will be required to play in 4K when available. Streaming titles equates to 10 Gb of data used per hour of 1080p gaming, which can add up fast. Since the service is in Beta, selection is limited now and only available in the continental United States, sorry Alaska and Hawaii. The Luna app is free, but channels called Luna+ costs $5.99 a month, or the additional Ubisoft+ for $14.99 per month. That extra channel adds 20 of Ubisoft’s latest titles under the Ubisoft+ games available on Luna page, and either channel be can purchased without buying the other one.

Luna currently supports Windows 10 PCs with Direct X 11 or higher, Macs with OS High Sierra or better, and several FireTV devices. The list for FireTV devices supported is presently limited to the Fire TV Sticks and a few TVs according to the Amazon Luna landing page. That page lists several controllers for use on Luna that include Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and the new Luna controller. Users of Luna on FireTV products report some lag with the non-Luna controller, but it seems to be more prevalent in the older sticks supported, according to several reviews on the Amazon Luna app customer review page.

How can the average gamer take advantage? While the service is new, it does offer streaming options to FireTV Stick devices with a proper controller. Luna provides access to several titles without having to purchase them individually. Also, Luna’s services appear to be piecemeal, meaning additional gaming channels can be added like the Ubisoft+ or Luna+ channel. Each piece can be bought individually, so the costs only add up when you purchase several channels. Luna is one of the few services that allows the player to stream to two devices simultaneously. However, it is in beta and may not have many new titles.

Cloud Gaming with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate (beta):

Microsoft is jumping into the game streaming market through Cloud gaming with the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. The service is an extension of the Microsoft product with the same name that costs $14.99 per month. It is still in beta so features and formatting will likely change when it is finalized. As of right now, the service requires 5Ghz Wi-Fi connection with 10Mbps download. At this time, cloud gaming is only available for Android devices, that are version 6.0 or greater, with Bluetooth version 4.0 and higher. Microsoft has the full breakdown of cloud gaming with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate page.

The service supports a wide range of controllers, including many off brand models, the Microsoft Adaptive controller, and even the Razer Kishi. However, there are older Xbox One controllers that are not designed for Bluetooth, so the full list of supported controllers is on the cloud gaming tested controller page. Even though many android devices are supported, some handle the app and game streaming better than others and having the full 5Ghz connection is important.

Cloud gaming with the Xbox Game Pass ultimate can benefit the average gamer who does not own a lot of titles but has access to a decent controller with good Wi-Fi connection. Microsoft has 100+ titles that can be streamed to any Android device and the saves are all in the cloud for constant gameplay. The main service provides the same content as downloadable on PC, Xbox One, or the Xbox Series X/S. A downside to the service is that it is limited to only the current list of games that can be found on the Xbox Game Pass library page, and that list can change every month.

Google Stadia:

Google Stadia has been on the market since November 2019, and requires 10 Mbps for 720p gaming, 20 Mbps for 1080p, and 35 Mbps for 4K. It has two account levels, a Stadia Base plan that is free, or $10 per month for Stadia Pro that offers 4k streaming, which is not available in the free option. Games will have to be purchased within the app, but Stadia Pro accounts get a certain number of games free per month, see Google’s claiming free games with Stadia Pro page.

Stadia has its own controller like Amazon Luna, and it supports the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Adaptive, Xbox 360, and Switch Pro controller for Google Chrome users of Stadia. The Switch controller is not on Android 10.0 or higher devices, and only the Stadia controller works with Chromecast Ultra. Google has a list of Stadia-compatible gamepads and screens page, but if the controller works for Chrome it should work for Stadia.

The average gamer should look to Stadia if they own a PC, compatible Android device, or TV with Chromecast Ultra; have the bandwidth to support gaming; and not own many games on other platforms. If one is just getting into gaming and has no titles under other services than this could be a good platform for them. Having to buy games on another platform and having the network support for streaming may be too much for those who already have a vast PC library of games. However, most of the newest titles will come to Stadia and the service can be utilized without a monthly fee.

Nvidia GeForce NOW:

Nvidia has a service called GeForce NOW available in North America and Europe that may fit some gamer’s needs. Bandwidth is not the only concern for those thinking about this service, although 15 Mbps is required for 720p and 25 Mbps for 1080p. That speed rating does not include any RTX options which are available in higher levels of the service. GeForce NOW is also one of the only options with a free version, which limits play sessions to one-hour lengths. For $4.99 per month or $24.95 for 6 months, the player gets 6-hour sessions, priority in the queue for the next session, and RTX options for games that support it. See the GeForce NOW membership page for more details.

Unlike some of the other services, individual titles that are supported for streaming require ownership on other platforms. Meaning games must be owned on specific platforms like Steam, Epic, or Uplay. There are also 75 free-to-play titles that can be played on this streaming platform. Saves are done through the cloud, maintaining the gameplay across devices. Not all games support both cloud saves and licensing on the service, but there is a complete list of titles and their platforms on the GeForce NOW games page. Titles are playable once verified on the other platforms before working on the GeForce NOW system.

While the service is provided by Nvidia, having a Nvidia graphics card is not required. In fact, the GeForce NOW platform can be played on Mac devices, android phones, and TVs with Nvidia Shield TV. Older graphics cards on PCs are also supported going back to the GeForce 600, the AMD Radeon HD 2000, and the Intel HD Graphics 2000 series. The full list of supported computers and other devices are available on the GeForce NOW system requirements page. Multiple game controllers are supported across each platform and most include Xbox 360, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and most Razer controllers.

(Image credit: Razer)

So, what are the advantages to the average gamer? Having a wide range of games already on the PC seems to be a drawback, but this could be an option for those only looking to play one or two titles with better graphics. The expansive set of equipment supported by GeForce NOW is a huge advantage and players with computers far below the game’s specs can still enjoy it. This includes Chromebooks, that can now display a title in almost full graphics for free. For a slight monthly cost, the player can even pump up RTX capabilities on a non-RTX graphics card system.

PlayStation NOW:

Sony’s online streaming service is called PlayStation NOW, and it has a catalogue of over 700 titles from the PS2 to the PS4. It has one of the smallest required internet speeds at only 5 Mbps required. This service costs $19.99 for a month, $44.99 for 3 months, or $99.99 for a year of the subscription. It can be accessed on a PlayStation 4 or a PC with Windows 7 or better, 2 Gb of Ram, only 300 MB of available storage, and a 3.5 GHz Intel i3, 3.8 GHz AMD A10, or faster. A PS4 controller connected with either USB or by Bluetooth is required on PC as well, but other controllers may eventually be supported. Sony has an excellent getting started with PlayStation NOW page for more information.

Save files for PlayStation NOW are done through the PS Now cloud, which means gamers can continue the action without progress loss on both the PS4 console and PC. Sony exclusive titles will be available for free access on the service, and this may be the only way to play some of them on the PC. The complete list of titles available is on the PS Now games page, including any recent changes.

The biggest advantage to the average gamer is that PlayStation NOW needs the smallest available bandwidth to enjoy it. There are plenty of games to choose from without having to purchase, but they are all PlayStation titles including the newest editions for this year. The service also allows games to be downloaded, but it is currently limited to the PS4 console app. PlayStation NOW is not flexible on equipment since only the PS4 or PC are supported, however the PC requires only Windows 7 Service Pack 1.

Is game streaming practical for you?

The answer to whether streaming is practical for you depends on your needs and what equipment is already owned. Every service requires decent internet speed, with the PlayStation NOW network having the lowest download speed at 5 Mbps. Most of the products listed require 10 Mbps at the minimum, which may only be in 720p. Services that provide game streaming at 1080p or 4k require more bandwidth.

Your current game selection also matters. If you own a wide variety of games on the PC already, GeForce NOW might be a good option at $4.99 for 1080p RTX streaming, but only if the title supports RTX. PlayStation NOW gives access to the most games for the cost of the service, followed by Microsoft’s Cloud gaming with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, and then Amazon Luna.

The equipment available to the gamer also factors into this decision. If you have a FireTV stick or FireCube, then the Amazon Luna app might be a good option. However, adding Ubisoft+ seems to give the most content to the Luna platform currently. If you own a Chromecast Ultra and do not have many games on other platforms, then Stadia may work. Purchased games can be streamed for free, but 4k is only available for Stadia Pro accounts.

Each streaming service has its own strengths and weaknesses, and the subtle balance of weighing the services against each other is hard. Just having the bandwidth for streaming anything may be an issue on its own. If you plan to stream via a mobile device, make sure to check your data plan before playing any games. Alternatively, if your home bandwidth is clogged with other users and you have a good mobile data plan, then phone apps can give you much needed gaming relief.

All the streaming services listed cover a wide range of products, including many older generations of equipment available. Sometimes meeting the minimum means barely working, and for game streaming that equals a slow framerate and controller lag. Several of the services offer trial periods for you to test out, and GeForce NOW has a free limited version that can stream titles you already own. Taking advantage of these offers will be the best way to find out if a service may be right for you. With the right service, equipment and internet speed, the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S can wait for now.