After the Google Stadia launch, everybody knows that there are a signal and future for Cloud gaming. Even if Stadia is struggling in some features and regions, Compare with the beginning days, it working better. After Google, Now Amazon announced the same cloud gaming platform Luna. The parts are moreover the same, including the dedicated Joystick. Also, Like Stadia, You can access gaming in most of the daily devices. The initial early access plans are cheap compare with other company services. But based on the long run, only we can decide it is better or not. Amazon already has a vast AWS Cloud platform; they have servers in every country. But the Gaming infrastructure is different. They have to modify the components. But with their already existing power, they can do well like Stadia.
Amazon holds a hardware event every year, and this event is going on these days. Today, on this hardware event, Amazon launched a new cloud gaming platform Luna, similar to Google Stadia and Microsoft Xbox.
What is this Cloud Gaming concept?
Cloud gaming is an online platform that helps you play games on your already available devices, and you don’t need to purchase any new hardware or gaming console for playing games. You access the games available in the cloud, so it doesn’t require any lengthy downloads or installing neither you need any updates. In Google Stadia, you can play in the Chrome browser.
What is Amazon Luna?
Amazon launched the Luna in direct competition to Google Stadia and Microsoft Xbox. It is a cloud gaming service that you can use to play many games without downloading or installing. You can use this service on compatible Fire TV, PC, and Mac devices. You can also use apps for this service to play hundreds of games on the iPhone and iPad. It is similar to the Stadia app to play games on mobile.
The Luna service will offer the users to subscribe to various gaming channels at discounted prices. Each subscription will enable the user to access a vast library of games. Luna+ is an amazon gaming channel, and Luna users will play games on Luna+ with a monthly subscription. Amazon has also signed an agreement with the Ubisoft gaming channel to launch on the Luna platform very soon.
How to Access Amazon Luna?
Currently, Luna access is minimal and is available only on invitation. You can apply for an early access invitation. The early access invitation approve is on a rolling basis. On success, Amazon will notify you through Email.
Amazon Luna Availability
Amazon launched the Luna services only across the mainland US. Luna is currently not supporting even Hawaii, Alaska, and US territories. No word about the rest of the world.
Subscription Price
Like Google Stadia, there will be free limited plans. The Luna+ service, during its early access phase, is available on an introductory price of $5.99 per month and enables the user to play games more than 100 games on the Luna+ game channel. These games include Panzer Dragoon, A Plague Tale: Innocence, The Surge 2, GRID, Yooka-Laylee, Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons, and Resident Evil 7., and Amazon will add many more on this channel.
Additionally, with this introductory price, the subscriber can play Luna+ channels games on two devices simultaneously with 4K/ 60fps resolution.
When the early access phase ends, then you will have to renew the Luna+ subscription. For that renewal, Amazon will notify you 30 days before the subscription end.
The Requirements to Play on Luna
To play 4k resolution games on Luna, you will need a high-speed internet connection, a compatible game controller or mouse and keyboard, and supported devices like Fire TV, Mac, iPhone, or iPad.
If you want to play Luna games with the Luna controller, you will have to wait as only those subscribers who have received the invitation from Amazon can buy the Luna controller. If you have received the invitation, you can buy the Luna controller.
The compatible devices for Luna service are
- Fire TV devices (Fire TV Stick – 2nd gen, Fire TV Stick 4K, or Fire TV Cube – 2nd gen)
- Mac (OSX 10.13+)
- PC (Windows 10 with DirectX 11)
- Chrome web browser (version 83+) for PC and Mac
- Safari web browser (iOS14) for iPhone and iPad
Amazon is working on adding more devices that you can use to play Luna games. You can check whether your device is a Luna compatible device.
Wrap up
Nowadays, every company that has a Gaming background or Cloud servers tries to enter into the gaming cloud industry. Geforce Now has already been launched in most of the regions, and it is good. Luna is a fantastic service for game lovers. Amazon is offering multiple games with 4K resolutions at a very reasonable price. A Must-have gaming service if you like to play online games. But every cloud-based services depending on latency. Stadia is useful in some areas, and in other regions, we can notice a lot of delays in input and output. If Luna rectified this issue, It could become successful with lots already existing user base. Do tell us about your gaming experience with Luna in the comments below.
Selva Ganesh is the Chief Editor of this Blog. He is a Computer Science Engineer, An experienced Android Developer, Professional Blogger with 8+ years in the field. He completed courses about Google News Initiative. He runs Android Infotech which offers Problem Solving Articles around the globe.
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