Not long ago, cloud gaming was an afterthought for publishers and internet heavyweights like Google and Amazon, but it’s increasingly looking like the future. Nvidia has been working longer than most to make cloud gaming a reality, starting almost a decade ago on its Shield gaming handheld. Today, the browser version of GeForce Now is getting a big boost. Subscribers on the company’s RTX 3080 plan can now stream games at 1440p and 120fps right from Chrome or Edge.
Previously, you could get 1440p on Mac or Windows using the desktop Nvidia app, but the web version was limited to 1080p and 60fps. Expanding 1440p support to browsers makes it possible to play games in higher quality on more devices. You can use Chrome or Edge on Windows or Mac, of course, but even a Chromebook (Chrome) and the Xbox (Edge) are on the table now.
The new 1440p support is not the highest resolution on GeForce Now. You can play games in 4K HDR, but that option is only available on the Shield Android TV box. No matter which device you use, gaming at more than 1080p requires you to be on the most expensive RTX 3080 plan.
Nvidia rolled out its RTX 3080 tier last year when video cards were still almost impossible to purchase. The $19.99 subscription grants access to a powerful cloud gaming rig with no wait times and longer session length than the free service. Nvidia has been making enhancements to the plan, as well. Earlier this summer, it added the option to play games at 120fps on all Android phones with sufficiently fast display refresh rates.
The resolution settings for the web now include 1440p and 120 fps.
Unlike competing services such as Stadia and Xbox Game Pass, a subscription does not grant you access to a catalog of games. GeForce Now is geared more toward PC gamers who have a library of games on Steam or Epic. Nvidia supports more than 1,300 games on GeForce Now. If you own one, you can use Nvidia’s service to stream it to your computer, laptop, phone, or TV. If you aren’t already a PC gamer, the requirement that you purchase games separately can make GeForce Now a costly option, particularly if you go for the RTX 3080 plan. However, it is a bit cheaper if you purchase six months up front for $99.99.
Now read:
Tencent and Logitech Are Developing a Handheld Cloud Gaming DeviceSamsung Adds Amazon Luna to Its Smart TV Gaming HubRumor: Is Google About to Kill Stadia?
