Cloud Gaming Takes a Leap Forward

Two tech giants, Microsoft and Amazon, have recently made significant strides in cloud gaming, aiming to cater to different segments of the gaming demographic.

Microsoft is testing a free, ad-supported cloud-gaming model for Xbox games. Starting today, gamers who have signed up for the Xbox Insider Program will be able to play cloud-compatible games from their library without paying for a Game Pass Ultimate subscription. However, they will have to watch ads at the beginning of the session. Microsoft has capped playtime at one hour per session; once this time is used up, gamers will have to watch more ads. There is no word yet on how long the test will be running.

On the other hand, Amazon announced that it is embedding its Luna cloud gaming service directly into Prime Video, but only for Fire TV users. Fire TV users will see a dedicated ‘Games’ tab next to ‘Movies,’ ‘TV shows,’ and ‘Sports.’ They will be able to play titles like Hogwarts Legacy, EA Sports FC 26, and Clue for the cost of their Prime membership.

The two companies have different targets in mind. Microsoft is catering to the kind of ‘core’ gamers who already own a library of titles but might want to play them on secondary devices like phones and laptops. Amazon, on the other hand, is going after more casual gamers, trying to put their gaming offerings in front of as many eyeballs as possible. It plans to package its games on the same pages as the movie entries for well-known IP like Harry Potter, so someone might decide to play a little game with their remote before they watch a movie.

How to Help Test Microsoft’s Ad-Supported Cloud Gaming

If you have an Xbox, you can try out Microsoft’s ad-supported cloud gaming. Here’s how:

• Download the Xbox Insider Hub app on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, or Windows PC.
• Enroll in the Xbox Insider Program. It’s free.

That’s it! Now you can stream select cloud-compatible games you own (after you check out some commercials, of course).

How to Check Out Amazon’s Luna Gaming Service

Amazon’s Luna gaming service is already available for Prime users. Here’s how to check it out:

• You’ll need a Fire TV device, such as a Fire TV stick, Fire TV Cube, or a smart TV running the Fire TV operating system.
• On the main menu, you should see the new ‘Games’ tab.
• Click it and go to town. Pro tip: Play Indiana Jones and the Great Circle because it is fantastic.

You can play Luna games with any Bluetooth controller or use your phone as the controller.

Different Approaches, Different Goals

Microsoft and Amazon are taking different approaches to cloud gaming. While Microsoft is targeting ‘core’ gamers, Amazon is going after casual gamers. Both companies are trying to move gaming further into the cloud, but their strategies and goals are distinct.