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, United Kingdom, Sweden, Portugal, Belgium, and Luxembourg. 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

As of March 2025, Luna is available to subscribers in fourteen countries worldwide, which are listed in the table below. 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
Flag of the United States.svg  United States March 1, 2022luna.amazon.com
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada March 22, 2023luna.amazon.ca
Flag of Germany.svg  Germany March 22, 2023luna.amazon.de
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom March 22, 2023luna.amazon.co.uk
Flag of France.svg  France November 15, 2023luna.amazon.fr
Flag of Italy.svg  Italy November 15, 2023luna.amazon.it
Flag of Spain.svg  Spain November 15, 2023luna.amazon.es
Flag of Austria.svg  Austria June 20, 2024luna.amazon.de
Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands June 20, 2024luna.amazon.nl
Flag of Poland.svg  Poland June 20, 2024luna.amazon.pl
Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium March 27, 2025luna.amazon.com.be
Flag of Luxembourg.svg  Luxembourg March 27, 2025luna.amazon.de
Flag of Portugal.svg  Portugal March 27, 2025luna.amazon.pt
Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden March 27, 2025luna.amazon.se

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. September 24, 2020. 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. September 24, 2020. 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.