Game streaming will likely be the future of video gaming. Streaming services such as Xbox Cloud Gaming and Nvidia GeForce Now allow gamers to play their favorite video games on any device regardless of location and without worrying about costly gaming PCs or bulky consoles. The only challenge players will face is the contrast of gaming services. Game streaming services differ in the services they provide. Some game streaming services allow you to play games you own, while others will want you to purchase them again. Some have restricted access, whereas others function on any device. Undoubtedly, some services have enhanced speed and performance than others. In this article, we explore the best game streaming services for 2023.
1. Cloud Gaming with Xbox Game Pass: Best for Multi-Platform Gamers
Although its name isn’t as catchy as we would expect, cloud gaming with Xbox Game Pass is a Microsoft game streaming service that was tested as Project xCloud. It is part of the Xbox Pass Ultimate subscription and it costs $14.99 monthly. Since you cannot pay for cloud gaming separately, this cost covers other game perks that are worth this price, including a massive game library on PC and Xbox, discounts, special deals, and an extra subscription to EA Play and Xbox Live Gold.
Cloud gaming is available on Android and Windows through dedicated apps and streams through iOS devices and web apps. This streaming service is the best multi-platform choice for gamers. Through the same save file, a group of gamers can connect and play online across several platforms. This flexibility feature makes this service perfect for playing all your favorite games across different platforms.
Some of the popular games available to play with Xbox Game Pass include Starfield, Minecraft, Halo: The Master Chief Collection, and Deathloop. You can also play casino games such as The Four Kings Casino & Slots, Prominence Poker, and Casino Nights. However, if you like playing at online casinos for real money, then you should visit the Online Gambling site. This website ranks all the best casino sites in the USA for 2023. These top-rated online casinos have a wide selection of games as well as accept deposits from popular payment options.
Pros
- Its massive library of games is in high demand
- Exceptional 1080p performance
- Comprises both Xbox and PC games
Cons
- It is pricey compared to its peers
2. Nvidia GeForce Now: Best for PC Gamers
If you fancy gaming on a PC, consider using the Nvidia GeForce Now. Distinct to PlayStation Now with its library of curated games, NVidia’s service lets you stream your video games to PC-based stores, Uplay, Epic Games, and Steam. It has a pre-installed games library on NVidia’s servers and is available for instant streaming on Chromebook, NVidia Shield TV, PC, mobile, Mac, Android, and iOS devices. NVidia’s GeForce GPUs render the games remotely for players with fast internet connectivity and can deliver 1080 resolution at 60fps on demand.
Gamers interested in upgrading their video gaming experience can upgrade to the RTX 3080 tier. This top-end subscription performs incredibly with upgraded 1440p at 120 fps on Mac and PC and a remarkable 4K at 60 fps (with HDR) for those streaming through Nvidia Shield TV. This display quality is perfect for video games as it enhances their authenticity and makes them more immersive.
When performing optimally, the RTX 3080 tier offers an experience close to the next-generation consoles like PS5. This streaming service looks forward to upgrading to the Ultimate tier with an RTX 4080-level performance with 240fps streaming mode for competitive shooters. However, GeForce Now’s move from Beta limited it from being the game streaming service of choice because publishers such as Bethesda and Activision-Blizzard pulled most of their games from the platform. Therefore, with this service, you might miss some incredible titles trending in the market.
Pros
- Available on Mac, PC, iOS & Android
- It comes with an RTX 3080 performance
- It can play the games you already own
Cons
- You will likely miss your favorite titles
3. PlayStation Plus Premium: Best for PS Gamers
Unlike other newer game streaming platforms in the gaming industry, Sony launched this service in 2014 and rebranded and merged it with PlayStation Plus later on. Sony’s top-notch PlayStation Plus subscription will give you access to a library with more than 740 games. Fortunately, most of these games are also available to play on a gaming PC.
Even though this service works by streaming, gamers can download their preferred games into their console. The downloaded games can be played offline with a 5.1 surround sound experience and higher resolutions.
Pros
- It comprises a big library of PS1, PS2, PS3, PS4, and PS5 titles
- It can stream games to the PS4 and PS5
- It can achieve up to 4K streaming
Cons
- It has fewer exclusive titles as compared to its competitors
4. Amazon Luna: Best for Amazon Devices
Although Amazon Luna is an uneven streaming service, it has its allures, especially for people with an Amazon ecosystem. This service offers thrilling entertainment with over 100 games for just $10 monthly. You can also stream the games on various systems, including Fire TV and Amazon Fire Tablets. Moreover, this service can also stream games up to 1080p resolution, ensuring a crystal-clear display that significantly enhances the overall immersion. However, for optimal performance, a minimum internet speed of 10Mbps is required.
Despite being impressive, this streaming service has its fair share of limitations. The Amazon Luna controller is not user-friendly and this poses a problem for some gamers. However, this can be rectified using specialized software that will enable it to function effectively on PC and mobile gaming gadgets. Moreover, you can also play without the controller.
Pros
- It is compatible with all Amazon Fire gadgets
- It is affordable
- It performs decently
Cons
- Its game collection is limited
- It doesn’t allow users to download games
In Conclusion
Game streaming services are one of the best inventions in the gaming industry. It has solved the issue bedevilling game distribution and access. Unlike before, gamers don’t have to buy new consoles in order to enjoy newly launched games. They can simply stream the new games using their preferred device. This possibility has made gaming more enjoyable for both novice and experienced gamers. Certainly, the future of gaming looks bright as more game streaming services continue to emerge and offer players access to a vast library of titles.
