Amazon entered the cloud gaming sector with Luna again in 2020, however the rollout has been gradual since then.
It took 18 months for the service to be obtainable to most people within the US, and an additional 12 months for any worldwide availability. Even now, it’s solely obtainable within the US and UK.
Even so, a competitor to the likes of Xbox Cloud Gaming and Nvidia GeForce Now can solely be a very good factor. Right here’s every little thing it’s essential to find out about Amazon Luna.
When was Amazon Luna launched?
Luna was initially unveiled at Amazon’s occasion again in September 2020, though the corporate didn’t say when the service can be broadly obtainable at that time.
Because it turned out, that might be nearly 18 months later. Following an prolonged “early entry” part, Luna lastly grew to become obtainable to most people within the US in March 2022.
A 12 months later, in March 2023, the service launched within the UK. It’s obtainable there now, and works in the identical approach as within the UK.
Amazon nonetheless presumably has plans to make it obtainable elsewhere, but it surely’s not clear when that may be.
How a lot does Amazon Luna value?
Luna is accessible to everybody within the US and UK, with a core Luna+ subscription costing $9.99/£8.99 per thirty days. A 7-day free trial can be obtainable.
However when you already subscribe to Amazon Prime, you will get entry to some content material with out paying any additional. A rotating collection of playable video games modifications recurrently, so verify the Amazon web site for the newest info – they need to be the identical within the US and UK.
If the Luna+ and Prime Gaming line-ups don’t tempt you, there’s additionally the choice to enroll to Ubisoft Plus. This prices $17.99/£14.99 per thirty days, however will get you entry to high-profile titles like Watch Canines: Legion, Murderer’s Creed Valhalla and Far Cry 6.
Each assist as much as 1080p decision at 60fps, however you’re restricted to at least one system at a time on Ubisoft+ whereas Luna+ helps two.
Different choices embody a subscription particularly for Jackbox’s occasion video games ($4.99/£3.99) and basic titles within the Retro channel ($4.99).
There’s additionally a $2.99 Household Channel, which has a lineup of child-friendly video games and helps native co-op. Every of those subscriptions can work independently or be mixed – you not have to pay for Luna first to get Ubisoft+.
The Luna Controller, designed for use alongside the service, can be obtainable for everybody within the US and UK to purchase. It often prices $69.99/£59.99, and there’s additionally the choice to mix it with a Cellphone Clip attachment ($62.98).
Nevertheless, Luna does additionally work with the Xbox One controller, DualShock 4 (PS4), Razer Kishi or only a common mouse and keyboard.
Find out how to be a part of Luna
Now Luna is out of early entry, it couldn’t be simpler. Simply head to the Luna web page on Amazon US or Amazon UK and check in to your account. Then both click on ‘Play free with Prime’, or buy one of many different subscriptions.
Like the total Prime subscription, you may cancel at any time.
Keep in mind, that is solely obtainable when you’re within the US or UK – although you would possibly be capable to get round that requirement with a VPN.
What’s going to I have to play Amazon Luna?
A key promoting level of Luna is the flexibility to “play on the gadgets you already personal”. Up to now, the service is accessible on PC, Mac, Hearth TV, Android (although not all gadgets), and iOS – the latter through an online app. That is a part of the continued early entry interval, with US prospects signing up on the
Amazon web site after which being invited to play.
On the time of writing, the next Hearth gadgets are appropriate with Luna:
- Hearth TV Stick Lite
- Hearth TV Stick (2nd & third era)
- Hearth TV Stick 4K and 4K Max
- Hearth TV (third era)
- Hearth TV Dice
- Hearth TV Omni Collection
- Hearth TV 4-Collection
- Toshiba Hearth TV Version
- Insignia Hearth TV Version
- Hearth 7 pill (2019)
- Hearth HD 8 pill (2018 or 2020)
- Hearth HD 10 pill (2019 or 2021)
On the official assist web page, Amazon is encouraging customers to verify their gadgets are up to date to the newest model of Hearth OS.
All different gadgets are nonetheless in early entry. Android assist is proscribed to the next gadgets on the time of writing, although Amazon intends to widen assist over time:
- Pixel 3, 3XL, 3a, 3a XL, 4XL, 4a, 4a 5G, 5, 6, Professional
- Samsung Galaxy S9, S9 Plus, Notice 9, S10, S10 Plus, Notice 10, Notice 10 Plus, S20, S20 Plus, S20 Extremely, Notice 20, Notice 20 Extremely, S21, S21+, S21 Extremely, S22, Z Fold 3
- OnePlus 7, 7 Professional, 7 Professional 5G, 8, 8 Professional, Nord, Nord N10, Nord N100, 7T, 7T Professional, 7T Professional 5G
All Home windows 10 gadgets with DirectX 11 are supported, when you’ll want a Mac from 2014 or later operating a minimum of macOS Excessive Sierra. It’s attainable to run Luna through a browser, however Amazon warns that “gameplay high quality and different options could not work as anticipated”.
In August 2022, Samsung additionally confirmed that Luna is accessible on Samsung Good TVs and Good Displays launched in 2022. That is through the corporate’s new ‘Samsung Gaming Hub’ platform.
On the iPhone and iPad, you do want to make use of Safari on a tool operating iOS 14.
Nevertheless, there’s one requirement no matter which system you’re enjoying on. You’ll want a minimum of a 10Mbps web connection, though Amazon recommends utilizing an Ethernet cable or 5GHz Wi-Fi the place attainable.
When you can play Luna with a keyboard and mouse or any Bluetooth controller, Amazon is encouraging you to select up the devoted Luna controller. It appears nearly an identical to the one you’ll discover on Xbox, and can seemingly present the same expertise. Nevertheless, the Luna Controller has additional methods up its sleeve: Alexa integration and the flexibility to seamlessly transfer between gadgets.
Amazon Luna video games
Amazon Luna now features a huge collection of completely different video games. These fluctuate relying on which subscription you select, however the full lists can be found on the Amazon web site.
Alongside the lineup of video games is integration with Twitch, the gaming-focused streaming service owned by Amazon. Inside the Luna “expertise”, gamers will see the choice to look at a related Twitch stream, whereas there will even be the flexibility to start out enjoying straight throughout the Twitch app.
The official picture beneath offers you an thought what the Luna consumer expertise is like, with Twitch streams and screenshots built-in into the principle display screen for every recreation.
We’ll replace this text as soon as we all know extra about Luna. Within the meantime, try our round-up of the greatest recreation streaming companies to see what it’s up towards.