Video game streaming is one of the futures of video games, a future that is already present in Spain through various technology companies. Nvidia, a manufacturer known for its high-performance graphics cards or devices such as the Nvidia Shield TV, was one of the first to bet on this future, and as a pioneer in this new aspect of thegsaming, it deserved a thorough review.
Is Nvidia’s service worth it over Stadia or Xbox Game Pass? It’s free? How are the games bought? Is there a subscription? Do I need a PC? We run through all of these questions and much more.
We have usually been able to enjoy video games on consoles and computers, but as technology advances we have been able to enjoy more and more devices. As the smartphone revolution arrived, we have seen how these devices are capable of replacing more and more devices, such as the camera, the computer (in some uses) or our multimedia players.
In the field of video games, smartphones have become a platform capable of playing games of exceptional quality with Fortnite or Genshin Impact, but the big blockbusters are still too demanding for us to enjoy them on a mobile, both in terms of power as well as storage (a triple A game usually occupies between 50 and 100 GB).
What if the games were run on a super computer and the game was broadcast directly to our mobile, as if it were the screen of our console? This is the basis of video game streaming, and it is that every streaming company is dedicated to broadcasting the games directly on our mobile, tablet, computer and even television. In the case of Nvidia, as a manufacturer of graphics cards what is on the other side of the screen are computers with graphics processors specifically designed by them.
Although we play on our own mobile, the computers responsible for running the streaming games are owned by Nvidia, so to enjoy the games at their best we will have to pay a subscription that today is called GeForce NOW , Founders Edition.
However, Nvidia does offer us the possibility of playing GeForce NOW for free as long as we want so that we can test if it is worth it. Simply install the application and play our favorite games available on the platform at no cost. Of course, we will have a series of restrictions when using the free subscription:
The free service is great for those who play during off-peak hours or hour-long sessions where they don’t mind waiting a bit before starting to play. In the end, if you want to play sessions without waiting and you are going to play for several hours, the waits of each queue will make you see that the subscription Founders is ideal for you.
In exchange for 5.49 euros per month (or 27.45 for 6 months, about 4.5 euros per month) you set aside the restrictions, leaving aside the waiting queues and with game sessions that go from 1 hour to 6 hours, sessions that once they are closed, you can start a new one without waiting. In addition to the elimination of restrictions, we will also have access to Nvidia’s RTX technologies, present in the company’s high-end cards, being able to enjoyRaytracing in the most cutting-edge games in the industry.
One of the most unique additions to GeForce NOW is the catalog of available games. Unlike other services, Nvidia does not have its own video game store, but rather allows us toplay games that we already have purchased on PC. The game catalog is given by Steam, Epic Games and Ubisoft Connect. Origin would be the fourth store, but since the only game that is available is Apex Legends, we cannot even consider it as a store.
This addition is of great value for the PC gamer, because he can play dozens of games that he had already purchased on his computer.Even if you are not a PC gamer, it is positive, since the market for PC games is usually more competitive in prices with respect to that of consoles.
The downside is that not all the games you bought will be available. Each computer game must ensure compatibility with the service, so you may discover that some of your favorite PC games are not available.
Even with all this, the GeForce NOW catalog is extensive and can be publicly consulted on the official Nvidia website, being able to consult the complete, official and instantly updated list.
GeForce NOW: Official list of games compatible with the service.
A big advantage of GeForce NOW in catalog titles is that we forget about one of the main disadvantages of console and PC games. As the games are on the Nvidia servers, we do not have to suffer from downloads or updates. If you want to play, you can do it without any kind of waiting (beyond the queues in the free account).
You do not need a high-end computer to play, although it is advisable to have access to a PC with access to the video game stores where you will buy the games, at no time do you need a computergaming to enjoy the games.
Once you have your games and your account (either free or under subscription) you can play on any device that has a stable connection of at least 15 MB / s to play in 720p resolution or 25 MB / s to play in FullHD, being 5 GHz Wi-Fi or Ethernet cable connection recommended.
Streaming games can be played on Windows computers, Macs, and Chromebooks, as well as television if you have an Nvidia Shield. It can also be played on any Android device running Android 5.0 or higher, 2GB of RAM, and OpenGL ES3.2 support.
To play on Android you will need to have a compatible controller. Nvidia recommends using any of the following controllers:
Video game streaming is a very promising technology, but it is currently in its infancy. The technology is advanced enough for us to consider whether we really need a console or renew our gaming PC, but nevertheless, it still raises some questions that should be borne in mind when betting on GeForce NOW.
If you are a casual gamer, GeForce NOW is a splendid ally by not having to renew the console. The money you save on buying a next-generation console lasts for several years of subscription, and if only the free subscription is enough, the savings can go directly to your favorite games.
In the case of being a player who wants to enjoy the highest quality but plays “by streaks”, the game in the cloud is also very convenient, saving you the hassle of having to download the games or have to update them every time they line up the stars and you have time to play. In this circumstance in which for most of the year you do not have time to play but when that game that you expected comes out you spend a couple of months full, it is much more expensive than paying for a console.
GeForce NOW is perfect for those who play sporadically, but also an ideal complement to the traditional PC gamer.
If you are a PC gamer, surely most streaming services have not been so convincing how to stop playing on your PC, and maybe even the PC experience that you already enjoy makes you think that playing the titles you already enjoy on your great computer on your mobile is a step backwards.
Even in this case, streaming is a great convenience advantage, since far from replacing your computer, it allows you to play the games you already paid for and continue the game on your mobile, television or lower-class laptop. And when you get back home, plug in your computer and pick up where you left off in your streaming game.
On a personal level I find myself in the latter situation. When it comes to playing games, I always prefer the PC, so streaming gives me the versatility of being able to continue playing the games that I love without having to carry a heavy computergamingAnywhere I go And with the arrival of 5G and unlimited data rates it will gradually become an even more convenient tool.
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The Nvidia GeForce NOW entry in depth: all the keys to understanding Nvidia video game streaming appears first in The Free Android.
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