As a seasoned gamer who has spent countless hours huddled around consoles and computers, I can confidently say that Amazon Luna is a game-changer in the world of gaming. Having experienced the joys and struggles of lugging heavy equipment to LAN parties and dealing with overheating PCs, the convenience offered by cloud gaming is nothing short of revolutionary.
Video games have traditionally been an expensive hobby, but thanks to the latest advances in cloud streaming, it’s now easier–and more affordable–than ever to get into gaming. One of the best cloud gaming services is Amazon Luna, which lets users play some of the latest games in up to 4K quality directly on devices they already own–no expensive console or gaming PC required. If that sounds like something you’re interested in, we’ve put together this comprehensive explainer for Amazon Luna so you can see how easy it is to sign up and get playing.
What is Amazon Luna?
As a gamer, I can tell you that Amazon Luna is like having my own personal gaming arcade! Instead of needing a dedicated console to play my favorite games, I can stream them right from the cloud onto any device I have handy. It’s almost like using Amazon Prime Video, but for video games – the difference being that instead of downloading and running games directly on my hardware, they’re stored and played remotely through Amazon Web Services (AWS) servers. This means no more waiting for games to download or worrying about storage space – just instant access to a world of gaming fun!
There are a lot of benefits to cloud gaming compared to traditional console or PC gaming. For one, you can access your library of games from a long list of devices, including Windows PCs, Macs, Fire TV streaming devices, Fire tablets, Chromebooks, iPhones, iPads, Android devices, and select smart TVs. While you’ll need a strong, stable internet connection for the best gameplay experience, cloud gaming can be much cheaper, too, since all you need is a Luna account, a controller, and one of the supported devices–many of which you probably already own. That means there’s no need to buy an expensive gaming console or PC.
How Much Does Amazon Luna Cost?
On Amazon Luna, you’ll need a paid subscription to play most of the games and utilize its features. However, they offer several membership plans and additional options that can be customized to fit your specific needs.
Luna+ membership
As a gaming enthusiast, my main strategy is to dive into the world of Luna+, a monthly subscription that sets me back $10, granting me unlimited access to more than 100 games without any additional fees. From AAA titles like Devil May Cry 5 and Middle-earth: Shadow of War, to indie gems such as Overcooked and Guacamelee, this service offers a diverse range. On top of that, Luna+ members can link their Ubisoft store and GOG accounts, allowing them to play games they already own from these platforms in the cloud through Amazon Luna.
Beyond just accessing game libraries, Luna+ subscribers have the added benefit of connecting their Twitch profiles, allowing them to stream their gaming sessions live as well.
A seven-day Luna+ free trial is available if you want to try out the service.
Luna+ add-ons
Luna+ members can augment their libraries with a couple of paid add-on channels.
- If you’re a fan of Ubisoft games, you can play a large library of the publisher’s games on Luna–including new releases and classic titles–by adding the Ubisoft+ channel to your membership for an additional $18/month.
- The Jackbox Games Channel is also available for an additional $5/month, granting you access to the popular series of Jackbox party games.
- Amazon Prime subscribers ($15/month or $139/year) also get access to an additional rotating selection of games, including popular titles like Fortnite, Trackmania, and XDefiant, that you can play even without a Luna+ membership. Separate from Luna, Prime members also get a selection of free games via the Prime Gaming service, some of which are also playable on Luna.
What Equipment Do You Need?
Amazon Luna is compatible with multiple devices, including computers using Chrome or Microsoft Edge browsers, and Apple devices using Safari. To utilize Luna, you’ll require at least one device or browser that is supported for play.
- Amazon devices
- Fire TV streamers and smart TVs running FireOS 5 and above, including Fire TV Stick Lite, Fire TV Stick HD, Fire TV Stick 4K, Fire TV Stick 4K Max, Fire TV Cube, and FireOS smart TVs
- Fire Tablets like the Fire HD 11 Max, Fire HD 10, Fire HD 8, and Fire 7
- Apple devices
- iPhones running iOS 15 and above
- iPads running iPadOS 15 and above
- macOS running 10.13
- Safari 15 and above
- Android devices
- Android OS 9 and above
- Chrome version 86 and above
- PC
- Windows 10 and above
- Chrome version 83 and above
- Microsoft Edge version 90 and above
- Linux, Ubuntu, and Chromium OS are also supported.
- Select LG and Samsung smart TVs
You can check the full list of supported devices here.
A controller
To enjoy Luna, you’ll need one compatible device or web browser, in addition to a Bluetooth game controller. While Amazon provides its own Luna controller, it functions similarly to most modern gamepads, with unique branding and controls tailored for the Luna app interface. These special functions are assigned to different buttons on other supported controllers. The Luna controller can also link directly to Amazon’s AWS servers, potentially reducing input lag by up to 30 milliseconds compared to other controllers.
The following controllers all feature official Luna support:
- Luna Controller
- Xbox Wireless Controller
- PlayStation DualShock 4
- Mouse and keyboard (only on supported games)
On Amazon’s help site, it mentions that other unlisted third-party control devices might be compatible with Luna, but complete assurance isn’t provided. It’s recommended to use only the controllers listed officially for optimal performance.
Internet connection
To enjoy Amazon Luna, a cloud streaming service, you’ll need a reliable internet connection. The stronger and more consistent your internet connection, the smoother your gaming experience will be. Unlike traditional consoles or gaming computers, where gameplay and graphics are affected by your hardware setup, cloud gaming performance is determined primarily by the quality and stability of your internet connection.
To get the best experience while playing Luna games, it’s recommended to have a stable internet connection. For 1080p gaming, Amazon suggests at least 10Mbps internet speed, and for 4K resolution, you’ll need at least 35Mbps. It’s also advisable to use an Ethernet cable whenever possible, but if Wi-Fi is your only option, opt for a 5Ghz router (though 2.4Ghz Wi-Fi is supported as well). If you’re in need of a new router, Amazon’s eero 6+ mesh Wi-Fi router could be a suitable choice to ensure smooth gameplay.
Amazon Luna Black Friday Deals
During Amazon’s Black Friday 2024 event, several devices and controllers that are compatible with Luna, the cloud gaming platform, will be on sale. This means you can take advantage of reduced prices when setting up your personal cloud gaming system. If you’re seeking a hassle-free method to acquire a complete cloud streaming setup, Amazon provides two bundles:
If you would rather build your own Luna streaming setup, you can pick up one of several discounted Fire TV devices or Fire tablets and a Luna-supported controller. Check a list of all the Amazon Luna Black Friday deals below.
Amazon Luna Cloud Streaming Bundle Deals
- Luna Controller and Fire TV Stick 4K Max Bundle — $68 (
$130) - Luna Controller and Fire TV Stick 4K Bundle — $57 (
$120) - Xbox Wireless Controller and Fire TV Stick Max Bundle — $80 (
$142) - Xbox Wireless Controller and Fire TV Stick 4K — $75 (
$132)
Amazon Luna Fire TV Streaming Device Deals
- Fire TV Cube — $100 (
$140) - Fire TV Stick 4K Max — $33 (
$60) - Fire TV Stick 4K — $22 (
$50) - Fire TV Stick HD — $18 (
$35) - FireOS smart TVs — Start at $60
Amazon Luna Fire Tablet Deals
- Fire HD 11 Max — $140 (
$230) - Fire HD 10 — $75 (
$140) - Fire HD 8 — $55 (
$100) - Fire 7 — $45 (
$80)
Amazon Luna-supported Controller Deals
- Luna Controller — $40 (
$70) - Xbox Wireless Controller — $40-$45 (
$60-$65)
Amazon Wi-Fi Router Deals
Amazon eero 6+ mesh Wi-Fi router — $100 ($140)
How Do You Access Amazon Luna?
After setting up your compatible device, controller, and ensuring an active internet connection, you’re free to access Luna whenever you wish through these available options.
- Access Luna on Fire TV devices: Open Amazon’s app store and search for “Luna,” then download the app. Pair your controller to your device, launch the Luna app, and you’re in.
- Access Luna on web browser: All other devices will need to access Luna via the Chrome, Microsoft Edge, or Safari web browsers. Head over to the Amazon Luna homepage then log in with your Amazon Luna or Amazon Prime account.
After successfully logging into Luna and subscribing to either Luna+ or Amazon Prime, you can begin streaming games right away.
Conclusion
Amazon Luna represents a flexible and user-friendly cloud gaming platform that caters to a multitude of games on various devices. It’s an appealing choice for both casual and hardcore gamers. For those intrigued by gaming but hesitant about investing in a pricey console or gaming computer, or for seasoned players seeking a means to access games through the cloud during travel, Amazon Luna offers an ideal solution.
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2024-11-28 01:09