Cloud gaming services compared
It seems that there are only two types of articles talking about cloud gaming.
Some praise Google Stadia for "negative latency, 4K quality and being the future of gaming"
Others are complaining that cloud gaming sucks because it's not as good as playing on 2000€ PC.
So to be clear:
- there is no such thing as negative latency
- image quality will not be perfect
- cloud gaming does not make sense on expensive gaming PC
- cloud gaming works great on old laptops and phones (turning them from e-waste to somewhat capable gaming machines)
With that out of the way, let's compare cloud gaming options that are available on the market.
GeForce NOW:
Model of operation:
Games sold separately (you can use games you already own on other platforms – Steam, Uplay, GOG, Epic Games).
Free-to-play games from Steam, Uplay, GOG, Epic Games are still free to play on GeForce NOW.
You can also buy (usually somewhat discounted) games at GeForce NOW Store.
Free 1-hour sessions, usually with long waiting times and slightly reduced in-game quality settings
Subscription enables 6-hours sessions, priority access to servers with shorter waiting times, and the highest quality in-game settings (including Ray-Tracing).
Pricing:
Price when paid monthly 10€/month
Price when paid yearly 99€/year (8.25€/month)
Plan purchases available only on the official Nvidia website.
Favourite developers:
Ubisoft, Valve, Epic Games, CD Projekt
Library size:
Over 1000 titles (games purchased separately)
Platforms:
Windows, Mac OS, Android, IOS, selected Sony Bravia Smart TVs
Although Chrome OS and Linux are not officially supported, there are tutorials on the internet showing GFN running on them.
https://www.nvidia.com/de-de/geforce-now/memberships/
Microsoft Project xCloud
Model of operations:
Part of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription.
You can play most games included in Xbox Game Pass (including EA Play games from Electronic Arts).
All games are available at "Xbox One S" quality, there are no waiting times and no membership tiers.
Pricing:
3-months trial for 1€
Price when paid monthly 10€/month
Price when paid yearly 60€/year (5€/month)
Plan purchases available as gift codes in multiple locations (both online and in physical stores) - sometimes there are discounts that decrease the price per month even further.
Favourite developers:
Microsoft Games, Electronic Arts, Bethesda
Library size:
Over 300 titles (included “for free” in Xbox Game Pass)
Platforms:
Windows, Android, IOS
Not available on Mac OS.
Tutorials for Linux appear significantly more complex than tutorials for GeForce NOW setup.
https://www.xbox.com/de-DE/xbox-game-pass/cloud-gaming
PlayStation NOW
Model of operations:
Part of PlayStation NOW subscription.
You can play most games included in PlayStation NOW (including titles from PS2, PS3 and PS4, excluding titles from PSP and PS Vita)
All games are available at "base PlayStation 4" quality, there are no waiting times and no membership tiers.
Pricing:
7-days free trial (credit card required)
Price when paid monthly 10€/month
Price when paid yearly 60€/year (5€/month)
Plan purchases available as gift codes in some locations (both online and in physical stores).
There are discounts sometimes, but both availability of gift cards and the size of the discounts tend to be much smaller than with Xbox.
Favourite developers:
Sony Interactive, SEGA, Naughty Dog
Library size:
Over 700 titles (included “for free” in PS Now)
Platforms:
Windows, selected Android TVs, selected Sony Bravia TVs
https://www.playstation.com/de-de/ps-now/
Google Stadia
Model of operations:
Games sold separately on Google Stadia Store (in most cases significantly more expensive than in other stores).
Free membership allows to play with no time limit, but there are long waiting times and (slightly) reduced in-game quality settings.
Premium members get 30 “free games”, 3 additional “free” games added each month, discounts at Stadia Store, priority access to servers with shorter waiting times, and higher quality in-game settings (but without Ray Tracing)
Pricing:
Price when paid monthly 10€/month
No discount when paying for the whole year upfront (and no other discounts for that matter)
Plan purchases available only on the official Google Stadia website.
Favourite developers:
Activision Blizzard, Capcom
Library size:
Over 100 titles (purchased separately; 30 games + additional 3 each month are included with a premium membership)
Platforms:
All devices with Chrome browser (including but not limited to Windows, Mac OS, Android, IOS, Chrome OS)