THE BEST VIDEO GAME STREAMING SERVICES NOW AVAILABLE
There are a wide variety of game streaming services players can currently take advantage of or will soon be able to in the near future.
October 9, 2019
There have been significant shifts in the video game industry when it comes to how players receive the games they love to jump in and play. The latest of these shifts is the push for game streaming services where individuals can play large libraries of titles on multiple devices. All that is needed is from them is to pay a specific cost and have an internet connection fast enough to properly stream the available games.
With this in mind, we have gathered together a few of the most notable video game streaming services that are now or will soon be on the market.
xCloud
Project xCloud is Microsoft’s entry into the world of video game streaming services and will allow players to stream and play high-profile Xbox titles on their mobile devices. Microsoft’s xCloud is not currently available in its full form. However, interested individuals can now register for a chance to test the preview of the service out. For now, those who are invited to try out the preview of xCloud will need to have a Microsoft account, a device running Android 6.0 or higher and Bluetooth 4.0, a Bluetooth Xbox One controller, 5GHz Wi-Fi or mobile connection of 10Mbps down, and the Xbox Game Streaming App.
The preview for Project xCloud will only be available on Android devices. Players who have registered and have been invited will gain access to the highly anticipated streaming service beginning in October.
Recommended: Battle Buds In-Ear Gaming Headset – White/Teal
The all-new Turtle Beach® Battle Buds™ in-ear gaming headset is built to battle on any platform, anywhere you play with a removable high-sensitivity boom mic and lightweight comfort.
Shop NowPlayStation Now
While Microsoft is just getting started in the world of video game streaming services, Sony has been in the sector for a few years with PlayStation Now. Attention has increased for Sony’s service recently thanks to a significant price cut to $9.99 a month compared to its previous price of $19.99 a month. PlayStation Now also recently added the fan-favorite titles of God of War and Grand Theft Auto V to its library of over 800 PS4, PS3, and PS2 games. These two significant announcements for the Sony streaming service have made PlayStation Now a bit more of an enticing option for those looking to dive into the world of video game streaming services.
Google Stadia
Google shocked the gaming community when it revealed that it is creating its own video game streaming service in Google Stadia. This particular service promises players the ability to stream games in 4K resolution at 60 frames per second to any device that can run the Google Chrome browser. However, you will need an internet connection with at least 35Mbps to reap all of the benefits of Google Stadia. The library of Google Stadia is currently one of its strongest selling points with the likes of Borderlands 3, Cyberpunk 2077, Destiny 2, Ghost Recon Breakpoint, and many other high-profile games being available on the service.
Players who purchase the Founder’s Edition for $129 will be able to begin utilizing the streaming service in November of 2019. A Stadia Pro subscription is necessary to stream games at 4K and 60 FPS. A Stadia Base version will be made available sometime in 2020 and will be free for players to use to stream games at 1080p and 60 FPS. Google Stadia will also have its very own controller for players to use.
GeForce Now
Nvidia’s GeForce Now allows PC players to transform their setups into a powerful gaming rig that can play over 400 GeForce Now supported games. Those interested in trying out the service can currently register for the GeForce Now Beta on Nvidia’s website. All that is needed from you is a strong internet connection and to live in either North America or Europe. With a library full of popular games and the ability to play them with the power of an Nvidia graphics card, GeForce Now is an intriguing option for PC players looking for a video game streaming service.
Apple Arcade
Many of the video game streaming services you will find will be providing the latest in triple-A offerings. Apple Arcade will instead be focused on a vast library of over 100 exclusive indie games to draw players in to being a member of its service. The low subscription price of $4.99 a month makes Apple Arcade an appealing choice for families looking to provide the whole family with entertainment on their various Apple devices. A total of six people can access the Apple Arcade Library on one account.
Shadow
Shadow from Blade gives players the ability to experience high-performance gaming on any device. Players can stream a vast library of games at 720p and 60 FPS with an internet connection of only 5Mbps. 1080P and 4K resolutions are available for individuals with faster internet speeds. One of the things that separate Shadow from the other services on this list is that it can be used for more than just gaming. Subscribers can use Shadow to perform intensive tasks that only a powerful Windows 10 PC could operate like video editing. Unfortunately, this video game streaming service is on the higher end when it comes to price with a monthly subscription of $24.95 for the annual plan and $34.95 for the month-to-month plan.
Vortex
The video game streaming service of Vortex offers an impressive list of games for players to enjoy. These games include Destiny 2, Grand Theft Auto V, Apex Legends, and many others. A $9.99 monthly subscription price is also not too bad when compared to other options currently available. Vortex brings its cloud gaming capabilities to its subscribers on any of their devices that include TVs, laptops, phones, and browsers. Fortunately, you can test your connection to the Vortex servers on the service’s website.
It is too early to tell if cloud gaming will become the standard when it comes to how people access and play video games. However, there is no doubt that the push for the increased use of video game streaming services will continue to grow with the likes of Google Stadia and others leading the charge.
Read More: 10 Best Games in Apple Arcade
We list some of the best games you can currently play on Apple Arcade, Apple’s new Netflix-style game service.
