Cloud gaming has been steadily becoming more popular these days. Barely a week after the launch of Microsoft’s xCloud game streaming service, Amazon has since entered the fray with the announcement of their own cloud gaming service named Luna. Amazon has also designed their own controller to be used specifically with Luna-streamed games.
Amazon Luna Announcement Trailer
Amazon Luna allows users to quickly and easily play games from anywhere using devices they already own, without the need for extended download times. Amazon Luna is built upon the AWS platform, and the backend tech will be “frequently refreshed, ensuring a consistently improving experience,” according to a recent release. The service will be available on Fire TV, PC, and Mac at launch, with web app support on iOS. Android support will be “coming soon.”
“We created Luna to make it easy to play great games on the devices customers already own and love,” said Marc Whitten, Vice President, Amazon Entertainment Devices and Services. “It’s Day One for Luna—we are excited to work with gamers, streamers, and publishers like Ubisoft and Remedy Entertainment to build a great gaming experience for everyone.”
Amazon’s Luna+ subscription will be available at the introductory price of $5.99 per month during the service’s early access period. Luna+ subscribers receive access to various games including Control, Resident Evil VII, A Plague Tale: Innocence, and Yooka-Laylee, to name a few. Subscribers get the added bonus of being able to play on two devices simultaneously. Certain games will also support 4K resolution at 60 FPS.
Amazon has also created their own designated gaming controller for Amazon Luna. The Luna Controller connects directly to the cloud, allowing users to swap between screens on the fly. The controller is also an Alexa-enabled device.
Meet Amazon Luna. If you missed our announcement (😭), here’s that same info in a thread (☺️): pic.twitter.com/tNEwpRmygD
— Amazon Luna (@amazonluna) September 25, 2020
Twitch Integration
Considering Amazon owns streaming platform Twitch, it should come as no surprise that the new Amazon Luna service will have Twitch integrated into the service. Likewise, players will also be able to instantly begin playing Luna games from the Twitch platform.
Ubisoft Gaming Channel
Amazon has partnered with game publisher Ubisoft to create a new gaming channel on Luna. Players who subscribe to the Ubisoft channel on Luna can play Ubisoft’s library of games through the service. Additionally, channel subscribers will gain access to brand new Ubisoft titles when the channel launches, including the upcoming Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and Far Cry 6.
Amazon Luna Early Access
Rather than specifying a release date, Amazon has opted to launch Luna with an invite-only early access phase instead. If you live in the U.S. and want to see what Amazon Luna is all about, you can request an invitation for early access to Luna over on Amazon. Stay tuned for more Amazon Luna updates.