Technology
New Amazon Luna app is like ‘Netflix for games’ – and you DON’T need a console
AMAZON is finally unleashing its cloud gaming service to the masses.
The Seattle tech giant has opened up access to its Luna platform, dubbed “Netflix for games”, to try for free in the US.
Amazon Luna is a cloud gaming service that lets you stream titles over the internet[/caption]
Previously, Luna was only available as part of closed early tests that required an invitation to access.
It’s now available on select FireTV devices without an invite, Amazon wrote in a blog post on Tuesday.
“Adding more customers to early access helps us continue to improve gaming experiences,” Amazon said.
“We are just getting started and hope you will join us in making Luna even better!”
Luna is a cloud gaming service that lets you play games with no console – by streaming the visuals over the internet, like Netflix.
The system processes game visuals at big data centres, so you can play games with high-end graphics on almost any device.
It’s up against a growing number of cloud streaming services including Google’s Stadia and Microsoft’s Xbox Games Pass.
Anyone signing up to Luna gets a seven-day free trial to the Luna+ Channel before monthly billing kicks in.
Luna+ currently comes with 50 games and costs $5.99 a month. Titles available include Control, Metro Exodus, Sonic Mania, and GRiD.
According to Amazon, users can get access to Luna on Fire TV by simply downloading the app.
Fire TV devices compatible with the service include the Fire TV Stick Lite, Fire TV Stick (2nd & 3rd generation) and Fire TV Stick 4K.
Video game streaming – how does it work?
We explain it all…
- When you watch a movie, the images you see are already prepared
- That’s why very unsophisticated computers inside your TV, DVD player, or computer can playback film footage
- But video games render the visuals in real-time, because a game never knows what you’ll do next
- That means you need much more computing heft to produce game visuals, compared to a standard movie
- So if you want amazing 4K PC-style graphics, you’ll need to fork out for an expensive computer
- Alternatively, you could use game streaming technology
- The idea is that a company like Google, Microsoft or Sony would handle the generation of the visuals on powerful computers at its own HQ
- Then it would send what’s effectively a video of that game to your smartphone
- You tap and play, and those commands get sent back to Microsoft or Sony, which then inputs them into the game, and sends you the visuals again
- Because modern internet connections are so fast, this all happens in milliseconds
- The resulting effect is 4K PC-style graphics on a smartphone – which is only possible because it’s not the phone itself rendering the graphics
- It also means that you could potentially be playing an Xbox or PlayStation game on your console, and then leave the house and carry on playing using your iPhone
- This sort of technology could eventually kill off gaming consoles for good, because all you’d need is a TV with game-streaming tech built in, and a controller to play with
- But game streaming is still trying to get off the ground
- Sony bought a game-streaming called OnLive, but shut it down in 2015
- Google launched the relatively successful Stadia last year
- And Microsoft is currently preparing to launch its xCloud streaming service
You can check out the full list of compatible devices here.
Amazon opened up early access to Luna in October, and is now widening its user base as it heads towards a full, global launch.
At the moment there is no pricing information for the UK and prospective UK users cannot request early access.
To play, users need to invest in a dedicated Amazon Luna Controller which currently costs $70 (£50).
Amazon is a new player in cloud gaming, a field that has plenty of hurdles to overcome before turning gamers away from their consoles.
Early adopters have complained of stuttering gameplay and long loading times unless your system is backed by pricey high-speed WiFi.
The relative lack of top-end titles available on services like Stadia has also proven to be a sore spot among gamers.
What’s on Netflix, Disney+ and Amazon Prime?
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What do you make of Luna? Let us know in the comments…
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