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With the imminent launch of PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, it’s almost time to decide which console (if any) to buy for the next generation. For most generations, this decision can depend on the games you want to play. But the advent of cloud streaming via services like Stadia, Microsoft’s Cloud Gaming, and PlayStation Now complicates the decision. A bit. So let’s take a look at how and if streaming should matter when you choose your next console.
Where the transmission is now positioned
While some people, like the CEO of Ubisoft, are of the opinion that cloud gaming will eventually completely replace consoles, we are not there yet. Instead, for this generation, cloud gaming is generally seen as an add-on service. Both Microsoft and Sony offer cloud gaming options that allow gamers to stream games to some combination of mobile devices and computers, in addition to their hardware consoles. Stadia, on the other hand, lives exclusively in the cloud.
All three provide a similar basic service, but they do it in very different ways. Stadia, for example, looks best as a replacement for the console itself. Instead of buying expensive hardware upfront, you can pay a monthly fee to access the platform (or not, more on that below). Microsoft’s cloud games are primarily a way to play on mobile devices. And PlayStation Now is largely a backward compatibility service that even lets you play on a PC.
Nvidia’s GeForce Now is also a game-streaming contender worth considering, but it’s aimed more at the PC market. Use your existing game library from stores like Steam, Epic, etc. If you are a PC gamer looking for a way to stream your games, this is your best option, regardless of what we mention in the rest of this article. As for all other services, which one is the most useful for you is very specific not only to your needs, but also to which console you are considering. So we’ll break them down one at a time.
Xbox Game Pass Cloud Games
Microsoft’s cloud gaming service is arguably one of the best deals in the field right now, primarily because of the service it’s attached to. For years, Microsoft has sold Xbox Live Gold, which costs $ 60 a year and includes a few free games each month. The company then launched Game Pass as a separate service for $ 10 a month (or $ 120 a year) that gave gamers access to a huge library of games, including a ton of Microsoft-owned games from day one. To say that Game Pass is a worthwhile deal is to understate it.
Now, Microsoft has combined both the services, Live Gold and Game Pass, into a single subscription of $ 15 a month and has included the cloud games as a bonus. If you were already interested in Game Pass Ultimate, you can install the Game Pass app on Android and stream games from the cloud. (The feature is not available on iOS due to a dispute between Apple and Microsoft.)
For now, Xbox cloud games only support play on mobile devices, but that might not be a huge loss. Game Pass is also available for PC and allows players to download games directly to their computer, just as they can on an Xbox. If you just want to dive into the world of streaming, maybe try a game on your phone every now and then, Microsoft’s option is the best way to go without any additional risk or expense. Even if you don’t like cloud gaming, you still get a great game library for a decent price.
PlayStation now
Sony’s PlayStation Now cloud gaming service has been around longer than any of the other services on this list, but it is also slightly behind its competitors. Sony recently updated the service to stream in 1080p (earlier this year, it was limited to 720p) and Sony mainly uses it to play older games from the PS2 and PS3 era, as well as some PS4 titles. Sony has said that PS Now will eventually make its way to the PS5, but the company has been comparatively quiet about its streaming service compared to Microsoft. It is also streamed only to consoles and PC, so mobile games are ready.
