[白話文系列] Introduction and comparison of 4 major cloud games

 

With the advent of the 5G era, the cloud game market has become a coveted pie for heroes of all walks of life in recent years, and their respective cloud game services have been launched one after another. Today, we will introduce and compare the major cloud games today. Without further ado, let’s get started!遊戲市場在近年成為各路英雄覬覦的大餅，陸續推出各自的雲端遊戲服務，今天將為大家介紹及比較現今各大雲端遊戲，事不宜遲我們馬上開始吧！

 

 Microsoft - Project xCloud 


(Cover image source: Microsoft)

 

As a super technology company, Microsoft founded Xbox to enter the game market as early as 2001. However, Microsoft has not been able to beat the two giants Nintendo and Sony, which are far ahead in game console sales in the past, but in the new cloud game market Microsoft Ushered in the opportunity of reversal, the game console market accounted for a small proportion of Microsoft's cloud game and console sales impact problem compared to the previous two giants, it can let go of the new cloud market, and it will lose its strength and know it. Not a blessing. The backwardness in the console market allows Microsoft to avoid the pressure of major console manufacturers such as Sony or Nintendo in the new cloud gaming market. Coupled with nearly 20 years of hard work in the game market, Microsoft is not only familiar with the market ecology, but also has many well-known masterpieces and studios and other resources. It can be said that it has got a good hand at the beginning of the game, and then it depends on how Microsoft plays.

 

Service and price:

It is bound to the subscription service of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. The cost is 14.99USD per month (about 420 Taiwan dollars)

Open area:

Currently it can be used in 22 countries/regions including North America, Europe and South Korea, excluding Taiwan地區使用，不包括台灣

Support platform:

WindowsPC, macOS, Android 6.0 or higher version mobile phone or tablet, Xbox

Game content:

Mainly Xbox game content, but also includes some Windows PC games. In addition, Microsoft continues to develop games and actively increase third-party cooperation content (currently there are 202 games)

 

 Google - Stadia 


(source: Google)

 

The Google Stadia service was officially launched in November 2019, announcing its entry into the game market. It has been more than a year since Google, which has a wide range of data centers and the world’s largest audio-visual streaming platform Youtube, entered the cloud game market. Seeing that Google is gradually improving various problems that have been criticized in the past, and that Google, which understands that game content is the key to the market, has also established its own game studio. We look forward to his release of exciting content. In 2020, due to the home isolation policy, cloud games have a better market environment than before. It is estimated that if Google can improve the quality of Stadia services, 2021, when the epidemic continues to spread, may be a good year for Google in the cloud game market.

Service and price:

The regular version is free, the game needs to be purchased separately

Pro version, about 9.9USD (about 300 Taiwan dollars) per month, enjoys 4K picture quality and 5.1 surround sound effects, and can add several free games every month

Open area:

Currently it can be used in 22 countries/regions including Europe and America, excluding Taiwan

Support platform:

The Chrome browser on WindowsPC, macOS, Android, iOS and other devices can be played, and the TV with Chromecast Ultra can also be used.

Game content:

Currently about 100 games can be played on Stadia. You can purchase games directly on Stadia or bind Stadia to the Ubisoft Plus service and play more than 100 games on Ubisoft Plus directly on Stadia.

 

 Amazon - Luna 


(source: Amazon)

 

It is also a strong technology giant. Amazon also officially announced the launch of Luna to enter the cloud gaming market in September 2020. Amazon has the infrastructure of cloud digital computing AWS, plus the previous acquisition of its Twitch, Luna has a big advantage. The strength of staring. In addition to the above basics, Luna has another advantage. Luna’s computing center uses Windows. Game developers can easily put games on Luna. It is convenient for developers to use content-based battlefields like streaming platforms. The pulling force is definitely an advantage. Luna also has different strategies in its business model. They expect game developers to establish their own channels on Luna. Consumers can subscribe to play games provided by different developers. At present, in addition to Luna Plus, players can also subscribe to Ubisoft Plus to play. A variety of games provided by Ubisoft.

Service and price:

Luna subscription price is 5.99USD per month (about 170 Taiwan dollars)

There is an additional charge for subscribing to other developer channels. The current Ubisoft Plus subscription price is 14.99USD (about 420 Taiwan dollars) per month. It is worth noting that subscribing to Ubisoft Plus will allow you to play all Ubisoft games on the computer, Luna, and Stadia at the same time.

Open area:

Currently only available in the U.S.

Support platform:

WindowsPC, macOS, Android, iOS, Fire TV

Game content:

There are currently about 52 games in Luna, and it is expected that there will be more games to play after the subscription to Ubisoft is opened.

 

 Nvidia - GeForce Now 


(source: Nvidia)

 

The service content of GeForce Now developed by NVIDIA in 2013 is to rent the cloud computing resources built by them to you. You must purchase games through Steam, Uplay, Epic Games and play on your device through GeForce Now. If you already own the game, you can start it directly, but you must note that not all games can be started on GeForce Now.

Service and price:

Taiwan’s GeForce Now currently has two plans. The basic plan is free but you need to wait in line to enter the game and you can play for 1 hour a day, while the platinum plan is 299 yuan per month or 1788 yuan a year. It supports ray tracing technology, each time at most You can play for 6 hours, and you don’t need to line up to connect, and the number of times you can play is not limited.

Open area:

Currently it can be used in up to 71 countries/regions, and the Taiwan part is launched in cooperation with Taiwan’s Big Brother.

Support platform:

Windows、macOS、Android、iOS、Shield TV、Chromebook

Game content:

Currently you can play more than 700 games on GeForce Now, but you need to purchase games through Steam, Uplay, and Epic Games before you can use the cloud game service through GeForce Now