Amazon Luna Game Streaming Service

Amazon Games has announced that its cloud-based game streaming platform, Luna, is officially out of beta and is now available to any interested user in the Americas.

Initially announced in September 2020, Luna is a subscription service that allows users to sign up for one or more themed "channels", where they can use web browsers, Fire TV, or tablets, Or play an integrated lineup of different video games. Compatible mobile devices.

These games are streamed to the user's device via Amazon Web Services without the need for local installations or updates. You can play games available in seconds from the Moon menu.

Less useful Luna's price is like cable TV compared to comparison services like Xbox Game Pass. Your initial monthly fee for Luna ($ 9.99 / month) unless you're in beta, which allows you to maintain a base rate of $ 6.99 / month) if you re-subscribe before March 31) with additional channels only Covers the basic "channels" of your content. Available for more money.

It includes the Ubisoft + Feed (17.99 / month) which includes an updated library of the company's games, including Far Cry 6, Assassin's Creed Valhalla, and Rainbow Six: Siege; And Family Channel (2.99 / month), a cheap supplement that focuses on games of all ages, including Skatebird and Wandersong.

The team behind Luna has quietly added several additional features that make the service even more exciting for gaming enthusiasts. In September, almost a year after the launch of the service beta, it announced an opt-in feature for Luna that effectively added local multiplayer and a spectator mode to games on the service that typically include them. Does not pass

For the official launch of Luna, in a relatively predictable move, support for Amazon's Twitch platform was added so that players could stream live from Luna, using built-in software to provide live camera feeds. ۔ With a QR code, a streamer can theoretically move up and down in seconds using Fire TV and Fire Tablet as a temporary webcam and microphone, allowing newcomers to quickly enter the Twitch streaming game. May allow

Amazon has also added a prime gaming channel for Luna, offering a rotating selection of streaming games that Amazon Prime members can play for free. Early March offers include Capcom's hack and slash Devil May Cry 5, Ubisoft's Immortals: Fenix ​​Rising, Retro Adventure Flashback (yes, a 1992 one), Indie Psychological Horror Game Observer, and British Puzzler PHOGS.

It comes with the Luna Controller app for iOS and Android, which works with Fire TV with a temporary gamepad and two new paid channels. Retro ($ 4.99 / month) includes a compilation of Street Fighter II: Hyper Fighting, Metal Slug 3, and the early Castlevania series games. And Jackbox Games ($ 4.99 / month) collects all eight of Jackbox's own brand party packs.

Although additional channels can be added quickly, the advantage of Luna is that it is still generally cheaper than buying many games on the service individually. The Ubisoft + Channel is incredibly expensive, but given the sheer size and / or playability of many Ubisoft games, it's still a relative bargain.

Naturally Luna shares the same flaws as any other cloud-based service. It can consume a lot of bandwidth fast, especially with HD games, and it is very sensitive to breaks, especially if you are trying to play a game for which you need Luna and You need to be connected to both your servers at the same time.

The biggest problem here may be the software line. Although Luna still has some good games, they are relatively old. At launch, its main titles include Control (2019), Team Sonic Racing (2019), and Saints Road the Third: Remastered (2020 version of the 2011 release). The price is attractive for newcomers or returning gamers, but gaming enthusiasts are more likely to own or have already played many of these games.

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