cloud gaming

Samsung announced yesterday that it is bridging its hardware and software for a better gaming experience, bringing the Samsung Gaming Hub to its 2022 lineup of smart TVs and monitors. Game streaming content on the hub includes Xbox, NVIDIA GeForce Now, Google Stadia and Utomik, along with apps YouTube and Spotify. Microsoft’s Xbox TV app is the most significant new addition as it is currently exclusive to the Samsung Gaming Hub and provides access to Xbox Cloud Gaming.

The promise of Xbox Cloud Gaming, included with an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription, has always been strong. Subscribers gain access to the full library of Xbox Game Pass on all devices that support Xbox Cloud Gaming, including iOS and Windows-based phones, tablets, and laptops, PC, as well as Xbox consoles. The opportunity to do bigger things has always been there, however, and Xbox Cloud Gaming is now taking that step. Fortnite is now free to play via Xbox Cloud Gaming, no subscription required.

Cloud gaming is a type of online gaming that streams a particular game running from a remote server to a user. Usually, these services are subscription-based, and cloud gaming companies require users to pay a monthly subscription fee. Cloud gaming is perfect for people who don’t have powerful PCs to run the game flawlessly.

Microsoft has published a support article and Reddit post that explains how to play Xbox Cloud Games on the Steam Deck. The process currently involves installing the Linux version of the Microsoft Edge browser in the desktop Linux environment.

Cloud gaming has yet to replace conventional console or PC-based gaming. It has instead become complementary to traditional disc-buying or full-game DLC purchases. So, something seems to be amiss. Why the hesitancy to adopt cloud gaming as the primary source of video game consumption?

In November last year, LG Electronics (LG) had launched a beta version of the GeForce NOW app in collaboration with NVIDIA for limited LG TVs. Now, Nvidia’s GeForce Now app has exited beta and is available for LG 2021 4K Smart TV owners in a total of 80 markets.