A new competitor enters the console gaming market and it's none other than Amazon. During its hardware event today, the tech giant announced that it's entering the console gaming market with Amazon Luna. Rather than being a direct competitor to the PS5 or Xbox Series X, Luna is more of a competitor to Google Stadia. Like the latter, Luna is a cloud-based gaming service but is powered by Amazon Web Service (AWS) and is available on PC, Mac, Fire TV and web apps for iPhone and iPad (Android is planned for later). Games are playable with either Xbox One controller, DualShock 4 controller, mouse/keyboard or the newly announced Luna Controller; a controller apparently took some inspiration from the Nintendo Switch's Pro Controller, with the notable addition of a virtual assistant button:

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While this service has been announced today, early access to Luna is available in mainland U.S. only and exclusively by invitation on its official website, which will be issued on a rolling basis. This early access is priced at $5.99 per month, streams at up to 1080p with select titles streamed at up to 4K resolution and supports both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. The company recommends a minimum internet connection speed of 10 Mbps for streaming games and mentions a 35 Mbps connection required to play in 4K.

The Alexa-enabled Luna Controller goes for $49.99 during the early access period, and will be available for purchase only by those who have received an invitation to Luna. Amazon's controller connects directly to Amazon's cloud servers, allowing for lower latency and enabling players to easily switch between screens (such as Fire TV to mobile phone) without the need for additional pairing or configuration changes.

Amazon Luna will also feature Twitch integration which the company explains as follows:

“Inside the Luna experience, players will see Twitch streams for games in the service, and from Twitch, they’ll be able to instantly start playing Luna games.”

As part of the announcement, Luna+ was also introduced as "a growing library of new and favorite titles" that will host over 100 games. Launch titles will include Resident Evil 7, Control, Panzer Dragoon, A Plague Tale: Innocence, The Surge 2, Yooka-Laylee, GRID, Abzu, and Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons; with more to be added "over time". Amazon also announced the Ubisoft channel, the first of additional gaming channels, which will include older and newer Ubisoft games like Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla. But no pricing was announced for this additional channel.

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What do you think of the Amazon Luna? Do you think cloud gaming services will replace traditional gaming consoles? Share your thoughts below!

Amazon Luna Official Website

 

[GbaNober]

It's like Stadia Sun & Amazon Moon

 

[Obveron]

Is everyone missing the elephant in the room or am I Missing something ? How is this streaming service allowed on iOS ? I had a double take when they mentioned it’s coming to Apple first and Android later . Microsoft are currently locked in a battle to allow xcloud on iOS and along comes amazon with its own streaming service . Someone tell me I’m missing something obvious as I’m not usually the one to point out the glaring mistakes

I'm very interested in this also. Apple doesn't want apps that make profit without a cut. My only guess is Amazon has agreed to give Apple a piece.

 

[StrayGuitarist]

MY NAME IS “LUNA”, GOSH FUCKING DAMN IT

 

[medoli900]

At least the controller is nice, being based on the Switch Pro controller, and less pricy than the later.
Other than that, yeah, it's just another gaming cloud service.

 

[Julie_Pilgrim]

are you complaining that a gaming service is offering games?

Oof, congrats, no matter how I respond to this I sound like an asshole

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I kinda tried it myself actually, but it's still a somewhat janky solution - if Steam crashes, or computer turns off, or some other weird thing, then you're out of videogames until you can physically reach your PC, and even then, I'm iffy about the idea of working, unsecured computer (laptop in my case) being turned on when I'm not home, not living alone and all. Just having a server somewhere else that does all above for me 24/7 is way more convenient.

Wait you can’t turn your pc on from there?,so I do see how it could be convenient now, thanks

 

[JFizDaWiz]

[redacted]

 

[the_randomizer]

The more companies force their digital-only/cloud based bullshit, the more it compels me into thinking pirating games I legally keep as being justified.