Amazon Luna

Last updated

Amazon Luna
Amazon Luna logo.svg
Developer Amazon
Type Cloud gaming service
Launch date
  • USA: March 1, 2022
  • Canada: March 22, 2023
  • EU: March 22, 2023
Operating system(s) Fire TV, Fire tablets, Samsung Smart TV, LG TV.
Windows PC, Mac, Chromebook, iPhone, iPad, Android (as a web app)
StatusActive
Pricing modelMonthly subscription
Website amazon.com/luna

Amazon Luna is a cloud gaming platform developed and operated by Amazon. [1] [2] [3] The platform has integration with Twitch and is available on Windows, Mac, Amazon Fire TV, iOS (as a progressive web app) as well as Android. Games and channels from brands such as Ubisoft+ and Jackbox Games are accessed via the Luna+ paid subscription.

Contents

Luna uses the Windows Server operating system and Nvidia Tesla T4 graphics cards from Amazon Web Services for streaming games, [4] and is available in the United States, Austria, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Poland, Spain, and the United Kingdom. Luna's competitors include other cloud gaming platforms like Xbox Cloud Gaming, PlayStation Plus cloud streaming, and GeForce Now.

History

Luna had a soft launch with early access to invited subscribers only on October 20, 2020. [5] In its early access state, Amazon Luna featured about 100 different games combined [6] with an introductory price of $5.99 a month. Luna subscribers have access to Ubisoft and Epic Games titles the same day they release through their respective channels. The Ubisoft+ channel costs an additional $14.99 per month. The Epic Games titles, such as Fortnite are free, but require purchasing a copy of a game. [7]

Features

Games

Luna has a library of over 100 games that can be accessed with the purchase of a subscription. [8]

Controllers

Luna Controller
Manufacturer Amazon
Type Video game controller
Release dateMarch 1, 2022
Input

Luna supports control through keyboard and mouse, the Xbox Wireless Controller, Xbox Elite Wireless Controller, Xbox Adaptive Controller and the DualShock 4 and DualSense controllers. [9]

The Luna Controller is an optional accessory at the additional cost of $59.99. The controller has dual analog sticks, a D-pad, two sets of shoulder buttons, four main A/B/X/Y face buttons, three other face buttons (Action, Menu, Microphone), and the home button (represented by the Luna symbol). The color of the controller is black. [10] A microphone is built in, which supports Amazon Alexa. The controller can connect through Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or a USB-C cable. [11]

USB connections can be used on Windows, Mac, Android, and Chromebook. iOS devices do not support USB OTG, and can only connect to game controllers over Bluetooth.

Supported controllersConnection methodController input APINotes [12]
Mouse and keyboardUSB, Bluetooth—
  • In Luna Couch sessions, guests have to ask the host to manually enable keyboard support for local co-op games.
Third-party controllers
(e.g Logitech Gamepad F310, F710 or SteelSeries Stratus+, Stratus Duo)		USB, BluetoothDirectInput
XInput
  • Both DirectInput and XInput controller APIs are supported. Controllers in XInput mode are treated as Xbox controllers.
  • Possible issues might occur, such as a controller not responding to inputs. This usually can be resolved by: toggling the switch on the controller to DirectInput & re-plugging the USB cable to refresh the connection, or quitting/re-joining a game session.
  • USB connections can also be used on Android devices by plugging in a USB OTG (Micro-USB/USB-C to USB-A) adapter on an Android phone/tablet.
Xbox Wireless Controller (for Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S)USB, BluetoothXInput
  • USB connections can also be used on Android devices by plugging in a USB OTG (Micro-USB/USB-C to USB-A) adapter on an Android phone/tablet.
PlayStation 4 controller (DualShock 4)USB, BluetoothDirectInput
PlayStation 5 controller (DualSense)USB, BluetoothDirectInput
Luna ControllerUSB, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi (Cloud Direct)DirectInput (default)
XInput (with optional driver installation)
  • The Cloud Direct option connects a Luna Controller directly to Amazon's custom game servers, reducing latency.
  • The Luna controller operates in DirectInput mode by default. XInput mode can be activated by installing the hardware drivers. [13]
  • Using Bluetooth with a Luna controller on Windows requires installation of hardware drivers. [14]
  • USB connections can also be used on Android devices with a USB-C to USB-C cable.
Phone touchscreen as virtual controllerWi-Fi (Cloud Direct)—
  • The Luna Controller mobile app allows a phone's touchscreen to be used as a virtual controller for operating Luna on another computer or smart TV. [15]

Reception

In a review of Amazon Luna in March 2021, a CNN article praised the service for its lower price compared to Stadia and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and praised its user interface, while criticizing occasional lag issues and its initial game lineup. [16] A review from Screen Rant criticized the channel setup, arguing that those who want the full experience will end up paying more than for similar services. The review remarked that the service feels misguided, with an unclear target audience, and considered it too impractical to recommend to consumers. However, it also stated that it may be a good replacement to a console for people who prefer using subscription services. [17]

Availability

Availability of Amazon Luna as of June 2024: .mw-parser-output .legend{page-break-inside:avoid;break-inside:avoid-column}.mw-parser-output .legend-color{display:inline-block;min-width:1.25em;height:1.25em;line-height:1.25;margin:1px 0;text-align:center;border:1px solid black;background-color:transparent;color:black}.mw-parser-output .legend-text{} Available Unavailable Amazon Luna Availability.svg
Availability of Amazon Luna as of June 2024:
  Available
  Unavailable

Luna is currently only available to subscribers within the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, France, Italy, Spain, Austria, Poland, and The Netherlands, with further international release unconfirmed. Guests who do not have a subscription are able to join Luna Couch sessions hosted by subscribers to play local co-op games.

CountryLaunch date Domain name
United StatesMarch 1, 2022luna.amazon.com
CanadaMarch 22, 2023luna.amazon.ca
GermanyMarch 22, 2023luna.amazon.de
United KingdomMarch 22, 2023luna.amazon.co.uk
FranceNovember 15, 2023luna.amazon.fr
ItalyNovember 15, 2023luna.amazon.it
SpainNovember 15, 2023luna.amazon.es
AustriaJune 20, 2024luna.amazon.de
PolandJune 20, 2024luna.amazon.pl
The NetherlandsJune 20, 2024luna.amazon.nl

Related Research Articles

The DualShock is a line of gamepads developed by Sony Interactive Entertainment for the PlayStation family of video game consoles. It is named for vibration-feedback and analog controls. Introduced in November 1997, it was initially marketed as a secondary peripheral for the first PlayStation console. The console's bundle was updated to include DualShock, and phase out the original PlayStation controller and the Dual Analog Controller. The DualShock is the best-selling gamepad of all time by units sold, excluding bundled controllers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ubisoft Connect</span> Video game service by Ubisoft

Ubisoft Connect is a digital distribution, digital rights management, multiplayer and communications service developed by Massive Entertainment to provide an experience similar to the achievements/trophies offered by various other game companies. The service is provided across various platforms. Ubisoft Connect is used exclusively by first-party Ubisoft Entertainment games, and although some third-party ones are sold through the Ubisoft store, they do not use the Ubisoft Connect platform.

Online console gaming involves connecting a console to a network over the Internet for services. Through this connection, it provides users the ability to play games with other users online, in addition to other online services.

Rhythm game accessories are often required to play rhythm games available for various consoles, such as the PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Wii, and Xbox 360. These include dance pads, guitar controllers, drum controllers, microphones and turntable controllers. With the exception of microphones, these controllers can generally be used to control any game, but have limited inputs, making them impractical for most games.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Xbox</span> Video gaming brand owned by Microsoft

Xbox is a video gaming brand that consists of five home video game consoles, as well as applications (games), streaming service Xbox Cloud Gaming, and online services such as the Xbox network and Xbox Game Pass. The brand is produced by Microsoft Gaming, a division of Microsoft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Xbox One</span> Video game console developed by Microsoft

The Xbox One is a home video game console developed by Microsoft. Announced in May 2013, it is the successor to Xbox 360 and the third console in the Xbox series. It was first released in North America, parts of Europe, Australia, and South America in November 2013 and in Japan, China, and other European countries in September 2014. It is the first Xbox game console to be released in China, specifically in the Shanghai Free-Trade Zone. Microsoft marketed the device as an "all-in-one entertainment system", hence the name "Xbox One". An eighth-generation console, it mainly competed against Sony's PlayStation 4 and Nintendo's Wii U and later the Nintendo Switch.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Xbox Wireless Controller</span> Primary game controller for the Xbox platform

The Xbox Wireless Controller is the primary game controller for the Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S home video game consoles, also the official controller for use in Windows-based PCs, and compatible with other operating systems such as macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. The controller maintains the overall layout found in the Xbox 360 controller, but with various tweaks to its design, such as a revised shape, redesigned analog sticks, shoulder buttons, and triggers, along with new rumble motors within the triggers to allow for directional haptic feedback.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">EA Play</span> Subscription-based gaming service

EA Play is a subscription-based video game service from Electronic Arts for the Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and Microsoft Windows platforms, offering access to selected games published by Electronic Arts along with additional incentives.

<i>Just Dance 2016</i> 2015 video game

Just Dance 2016 is a 2015 dance video game developed and published by Ubisoft. Unveiled on June 15, 2015, during its E3 press conference as the seventh main installment of the series, it was released in October 2015 for PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Wii, and Wii U.

Mixer was an American video game live streaming platform. The service launched on January 5, 2016, as Beam, under the ownership of co-founders Matthew Salsamendi and James Boehm. The service placed an emphasis on interactivity, with low stream latency and a platform for allowing viewers to perform actions that can influence a stream.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Xbox Game Pass</span> Video game subscription service by Microsoft

Game Pass is a subscription service as part of Xbox and offered by Microsoft Gaming. Launched on June 1, 2017, the service allows users to download and play video games via video game consoles, Microsoft Windows, Android, iOS, iPadOS, web browsers, smart televisions, and cloud. Game Pass contains a rotating library of games, with the games remaining accessible as long as the user has an active subscription. Game Pass subscribers also receive discounts on purchases of games from the service's library and their respective downloadable content (DLC).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Xbox Adaptive Controller</span> Video game controller designed by Microsoft for people with disabilities

The Xbox Adaptive Controller (XAC) is a video game controller designed by Microsoft for Windows PCs and the Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S video game consoles. The controller was designed for people with disabilities to help make user input for video games more accessible.

Nintendo Switch Online (NSO) is an online subscription service for the Nintendo Switch video game console. The service is Nintendo's third-generation online service after Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection and Nintendo Network. Following an interim period which began with the launch of the Nintendo Switch where Nintendo offered online multiplayer free of charge and the launch of the Nintendo Switch Online Smartphone App on July 21, 2017, the subscription service officially launched on September 18, 2018. An expanded tier of the service, Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack, was released on October 25, 2021. It includes Nintendo 64, Sega Genesis, and Game Boy Advance games and access to DLC for Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Splatoon 2.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Google Stadia</span> Cloud gaming service

Stadia was a cloud gaming service developed and operated by Google. Known in development as Project Stream, the service debuted through a closed beta in October 2018, and publicly launched in November 2019. Stadia was accessible through Chromecast Ultra and Android TV devices, on personal computers via the Google Chrome web browser and other Chromium-based browsers, Chromebooks and tablets running ChromeOS, and the Stadia mobile app on supported Android devices. There was also an experimental mode with support for all Android devices that were capable of installing the Stadia mobile app. In December 2020, Google released an iOS browser-based progressive web application for Stadia, enabling gameplay in the Safari browser.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Xbox Cloud Gaming</span> Microsoft cloud gaming service

Xbox Cloud Gaming is a cloud gaming service as part of Xbox offered by Microsoft Gaming. Initially released in beta testing in November 2019, the service later launched for subscribers of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate on September 15, 2020. Xbox Game Pass cloud gaming is provided to subscribers of Ultimate at no additional cost. Xbox Cloud Gaming operates by linking the device to a remote server in the cloud.

The ninth generation of video game consoles began in November 2020 with the releases of Microsoft's Xbox Series X and Series S console family and Sony's PlayStation 5.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Xbox Series X and Series S</span> Home video game consoles developed by Microsoft

The Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S are the fourth generation of consoles in the Xbox series. Released on November 10, 2020, the higher-end Xbox Series X and lower-end Xbox Series S are part of the ninth generation of video game consoles, which also includes Sony's PlayStation 5, released the same month. Both superseded the Xbox One.

Ubisoft+ is a subscription-based video game service from Ubisoft offering access to download and play games from Ubisoft's library for a single monthly fee. Ubisoft+ offers subscribers unlimited access to a catalog of more than 100 games on Microsoft Windows PCs, including titles such as Assassin's Creed Valhalla, Watch Dogs: Legion and Immortals Fenyx Rising. Ubisoft+ also includes premium editions to games, classic titles and additional content packs. With a Ubisoft+ subscription, games can be downloaded and played on Windows computers using the free Ubisoft Connect game launcher.

Backbone is an American technology company located in with offices in Atherton, California and Seattle, Washington. The company is known for consumer electronics and computer software products for gaming on Apple's iOS and Google's Android devices. Backbone operates the Backbone app, a social and content creation hub for mobile devices.

References

  1. ↑ Webster, Andrew (September 24, 2020). "Amazon announces new cloud gaming service called Luna". The Verge. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  2. ↑ "Amazon's Luna cloud gaming service arrives next month". Engadget. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  3. ↑ Blumenthal, Eli. "Amazon Luna takes on Microsoft's xCloud, Google's Stadia in cloud gaming battle". CNET. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  4. ↑ Orland, Kyle (September 25, 2020). "Amazon Luna servers will run Windows games directly on Nvidia T4 GPUs". Ars Technica . Retrieved June 24, 2023.
  5. ↑ Franzese, Tomas (September 25, 2020). "Everything You Need To Know About Amazon Luna, A New Cloud-Gaming Contender". Inverse. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
  6. ↑ "A closer look at Luna, Amazon's cloud gaming service". Engadget. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  7. ↑ Winslow, Jeremy (September 24, 2020). "Amazon Partners With Ubisoft On A Luna Game-Streaming Channel". GameSpot . Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  8. ↑ Henderson, Rik (September 25, 2020). "Amazon Luna pricing, availability, games list, devices and all you need to know". Pocket-lint. Retrieved April 9, 2023.
  9. ↑ "Amazon Luna: Which Controllers Can You Use?". Game Rant. March 10, 2022. Archived from the original on March 10, 2022. Retrieved March 27, 2022.
  10. ↑ "What are the Buttons on the Amazon Luna Controller? - Amazon Customer Service". Amazon. Retrieved April 9, 2023.
  11. ↑ Greenwald, Will (November 23, 2020). "Amazon Luna Controller Review: A great gamepad that enhances the Amazon Luna game service". PCMag . Archived from the original on November 25, 2020. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
  12. ↑ "Controllers Compatible with Amazon Luna". Amazon . Archived from the original on December 6, 2020. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
  13. ↑ "Controller:Amazon Luna Controller". PCGamingWiki . September 27, 2020. Use with PC platforms. Archived from the original on December 10, 2023. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
  14. ↑ "Connection Options for Amazon Luna Controller". Amazon . Archived from the original on August 21, 2021. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
  15. ↑ "Set Up a Luna Phone Controller". Amazon . Archived from the original on December 10, 2024. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
  16. ↑ Andronico, Michael (January 17, 2022). "Amazon Luna review: A good, cheap way to game without a console". CNN Underscored. Retrieved March 27, 2022.
  17. ↑ "Amazon Luna Review: A Comfortable Controller & Good Cloud Service". ScreenRant. March 16, 2022. Retrieved March 27, 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.