Looking back, the past decade has paved the way for a lot of new and amazing gaming technologies. If you’re passionate about gaming but you don’t have the budget to get a console or a PC, all you need to experience AAA games is a smartphone, a good internet connection, and a bluetooth controller. We’re talking about videogame streaming, an emerging type of service that’s taking the gaming world by storm.
With the popularity of Netflix, Prime Video, Hulu, it’s easy to see how modern content is being consumed. Consumers aren’t bothered by a monthly fee as long as they get to binge their favorite shows, so the gaming industry figured out that this concept can work for games. But, what are the best game streaming services on the market right now to enjoy?
Xbox Game Streaming Services
Microsoft’s been busy working on Project xCloud for quite a while now. Currently in open beta, Project xCloud promises users the entire Xbox game library on their smartphones. Basically, how most of these streaming services work, a machine runs the game remotely and streams it to your preferred device.
So, if you’re into Microsoft’s franchises, like Halo and Gears of War, this is a great way to experience these titles without investing in an Xbox. All you need is a wireless Xbox controller and a compatible smartphone, and you can game right away. Download the app, choose the game, and have fun!
Google Stadia
If you have at least a small interest in the tech and gaming industries, then you’ve probably heard about the Google Stadia launch and how it all went pretty horribly. Basically, Google promised users that they would be able to stream games at 4K resolution and 60 fps, and they didn’t deliver on that promise.
Now, Google Stadia barely made it on this list because there are just so few game streaming services currently available. They only support a handful of mobile devices, with their Pixel series and a few gaming phones from ASUS, Razer, and Samsung. You can also stream games on PC and Mac OS via Google Chrome, and on TVs, if you have a Chromecast.
The Google Stadia game library is currently less than 30 games, so don’t jump on board just yet. You also need to get the Stadia Controller and Chromecast Ultra to play, so it’s currently not that cheap. Given a few months, Google promises that they’re pushing for around 120 games by the end of the year, including Doom: Eternal and Cyberpunk 2077, and support for 4K 60fps streaming with 5.1 sound and HDR enabled.
GeForce Now
GeForce Now is one of the most stable gaming streaming services that are currently available. With GeForce Now, you can stream games that you own to a desktop or mobile device and play them in the desktop quality graphics. All you need is an account, the game you want to play, and a pretty good internet connection.
For this to work well, Nvidia recommends a 30-50 Mbps connection for great streaming, meaning 1080p with high graphics. You’re also going to get less visual artefacts and higher visual fidelity if you use an ethernet connection, as WiFi connections aren’t very stable. The streaming service is cheap and accessible to everyone and is a great way to still make good use out of an older desktop system.
That being said, having a gaming PC is still the best way to experience AAA games. Buying your own custom gaming PC or even learning how to build your own gaming PC will land you with a whole new set of skills, and the resulted machine will allow you to play a lot of titles in high resolutions, at high frame rates, with very, very little input lag.
Steam Remote Play
Steam Remote Play has been along for a long, but that doesn’t mean it’s a bad service by any means. In fact, I remember playing Tomb Raider on a less than capable laptop in 2015 thanks to the Steam Remote Play function on my desktop. Back then, the application was problematic to say the least, and I had to do a lot of troubleshooting before being able to launch the game.
Today, you just need to download the Steam Link app on your phone and you can just run games from your desktop PC via your home network. You still need a good connection, but it’s free and it opens a whole new world of possibilities. All you need to get this running is a controller, a compatible smartphone, and a WiFi connection.
Conclusion
While game streaming won’t be replacing your console or desktop PC anytime soon, it’s an amazing new type of service that shows a lot of promise. You can still get a whole lot of use out of an old device with services like GeForce Now and Google Stadia without investing in a dedicated gaming system. If you’re casual with your gaming or want to play AAA titles while on-the-go, then these are feasible alternatives to a gaming laptop or portable console.