What you need to know
- Numerous companies are launching their game streaming services soon.
- The latest team to enter the ring is NVIDIA.
- GeForce Now allows you to stream 160 games at maximum settings.
- You can register your interest here (opens in new tab).
Numerous companies are launching their own cloud gaming platforms, and it looks like NVIDIA is the latest one to offer trials for a service called "GeForce Now." GeForce Now has been available on Macs for quite a while now, but it also launched as a PC beta. This news went under the radar. If you want to play your games at maximum settings, wherever you are, you should register here (opens in new tab). EA, Google, Microsoft, NVIDIA, Shadow, and many others are working on game streaming services, and it'll be interesting to see which one comes out on top.
NVIDIA said the following in a blog post (opens in new tab) about GeForce Now.
For many years, NVIDIA has been developing the world's best cloud gaming technology, designed to stream games across the internet at crystal-clear 1080p, with low latency. The result of this research and development is GeForce Now, which we launched in beta for Macs last summer. Today, we're announcing that PC gamers can now join in the fun with Mac gamers in our GeForce Now cloud gaming PC beta, for free. GeForce Now connects gamers to their library of PC games from some of the top digital stores. And starting today that also includes Ubisoft's Uplay PC, meaning you'll be able to play games like Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege on GeForce Now. By using our unparalleled technology and the performance of the world's fastest graphics cards, virtually all PCs and Macs can be transformed into blisteringly-fast GeForce gaming rigs, capable of playing over 160 games at max settings. And now, in our newest beta, select titles can be played at up to 120 FPS... for the smoothest-possible cloud gaming experience.
Keep in mind that you need 25 Mbps internet or better to use GeForce Now. You can take a look at what the company said below.
All you need to play is the GeForce Now app, a compatible PC or Mac, and a 25 Mbps or faster internet connection. Then, simply log in and install the games you own from our list of supported game titles onto your virtual GeForce Now PC. Once installed, launch them from our app and enjoy an unrivaled gaming experience with maximum graphics settings at up to 120 FPS.
Hopefully, GeForce Now will offer less input lag than competing platforms. Right now, tests have been conducted between Google Stadia and Microsoft's "Project xCloud" which heavily favor the latter, but it still adds roughly 5 ms input lag compared to almost 100 ms for Stadia.
Game streaming for the masses
The Founder's Edition of Google Stadia offers three months of Stadia Pro and includes a Google Chromecast Ultra and Stadia controller. Whether it can live up to its potential is yet to be seen, but features like State Play and Crowd Share are intriguing.
Excellent and affordable Xbox accessories
Up your Xbox experience with one (or all) of these budget accessories, all of which are approved by the gamers of Windows Central.
PowerA Play & Charge Kit for Xbox One (opens in new tab) ($15 at Amazon)
This charging kit keeps your Xbox One wireless controllers juiced up, and it offers batteries for two controllers. At just $15, this is hands-down our favorite budget charging companion.
ElecGear 4 Port USB Xbox One S Hub (opens in new tab) ($19 at Amazon)
This brilliant little USB splitter hub attaches perfectly to the side of your Xbox One S console. It's ideal for use with chargers, controllers, headsets, and more.
Controller Gear stand (opens in new tab) ($13 at Amazon)
Proudly display your Xbox gamepads with this stylish and functional stand. The licensed design is minimalist and black, and it has a hidden storage compartment, making the price of $13 a real steal.
