Mobile has ceased to be a special communication tool as current usage involves many features. We communicate, yes, but we also have fun; from watching Netflix on the phone to playing with a great variety of apps in the Google Play store. And the good thing is that the store is not the only one that offers games, there are endless opportunities to find pure entertainment. Even with the broadcast method.
If we can access music and video without physically removing it from the cell phone, why not do the same with games? This is what services like Google Stadia suggest, for example, with GeForce Now. And we'll just talk about this platform because Nvidia, the company behind GeForce Now, bring a beta service to give it to anyone Download the app on your Android. With all that said.
Play Witcher 3 on a mobile screen, download games found on Steam or Uplay, enjoy free PC titles and with the option of setting up Ray Tracing or ray tracking, something that is available in the latest generation games that the reality of the graphics light is highlighted. And all right from the phone.
Free access or subscriptions
Nvidia has decided to face-to-face with Google, so it has released the latest version of GeForce Now to combine a few features that are not yet available on the Stadia platform. For example, Nvidia streaming game service Suitable for most Android, it just provides free access, it is not necessary to buy only GeForce Now games because it is suitable for those found on other platforms and, importantly, allows the creation of Ray Tracing, a rendering component that greatly improves game viewing.
Nvidia GeForce Now is available to everyone from last week: February 4 was the day chosen by the company to complete the platform beta. There are currently two ways to access these games:
- It's free. Nvidia allows streaming of the game to anyone wishing to subscribe without paying anything monthly. Of course, you'll have access to play only for an hour without interruption; which forces you to leave the game and log in again and again. In addition, free users do not have Ray Tracing.
- With a monthly subscription. GeForce Now offers a subscription to access the best options, such as a game without interruptions or ray tracing.
Both types of access are already available. And subscriptions are reduced: upon launch, the subscribers will be the so-called & # 39; Founders & # 39;; Three free months for the platform and a discounted price for the next 9 months, just 5.49 euros.
Nvidia GeForce developers now get reduced subscription access and 3 months of service
Although GeForce is now a church in its stable, I have been on the platform since before changing its name (previously Nvidia Grid). Thanks to Shield TV, I tried the games before beta and firmly. I signed up for the Founders pack and played on an Android phone. I already told you: it's a great streaming service.
PC games on mobile and without losing quality
The magic of the broadcast is that it allows gameplay on the server so the mobile doesn't have to do any repair work without having to screen, sound through the speakers and transfer the action of the buttons to the servers This means just about any Android compatible with GeForce Now: from the cheapest to the highest grade. And I can attest to that: I ran the best Witcher 3 on the Samsung Galaxy A10. How do you read it?
As you can see, phone restrictions are not an obstacle to the use of GeForce Now, but you will need other things besides mobile to enjoy the game in the stream:
- To play with comfort you need body controls or keyboard and mouse. Not all games are complex in management, so requirements from one to the other may vary. The app allows the use of controls on the phone screen, but they are often very complex; so it might be best to have a physical controller attached, such as PS4 (GeForce Now for well-managed maps) You may also need a keyboard and mouse connected, as in the case of Minecraft.
- The connection must be of the correct quality. Nvidia performs a pre-game connection test to determine if it is OK or not. Therefore, a good transfer rate is required, both up and down; In addition to low latency. GeForce Now does not add gaming barriers to mobile networks, but be aware: data usage is high.
- You must have games purchased. Nvidia doesn't require you to buy these games explicitly for GeForce Now, but you should buy them from one of the affiliate stores (Steam, Uplay or Battle.net, now).
To access each game you just need to run it from Nvidia GeForce Now Launcher: when logged in to the platform the theme starts with the recommended configuration. You can always improve by accessing each game's settings because, even if it's a streaming service, Nvidia & # 39; only & # 39; puts our computer in the cloud. The game features are also solid: DLCs, control controls and, embedded in stable version, online mode are also available.
As if the game starts early
So I would summarize the experience with GeForce Now on Android: it's as if the PC game is doing well on the phone. Fullscreen, with impressive quality, no pause too there is no noticeable delay between compression and screen operation. For my test I used the Samsung Galaxy A10 and Sony Xperia XZ Premium, a 600/600 WiFi network connected to fiber (5 ms latency) and tested with portable data (Vodafone, 4G on 78/12 and 21 ms latency). The physical controller used was one of the PS4 that was connected to the phone via Bluetooth.
I'm currently playing The Witcher 3 at Nvidia GeForce Now after enjoying it on PS4, so I've done some experiments with this great title (by all means). The feeling when you download and execute the game is mind-boggling: it always gives the impression that you have a PC in your hand. The game works smoothly, there are no spectacular scenes, the artwork is explained and of the highest quality, I have never encountered any significant delays between command control and Geralt's action. Yes I suffered when network capabilities went down, probably due to a connected app downloading more data than necessary.
Playing from the phone screen is possible, or I've already highlighted how complicated it can be to agree with both directions while the action happens below. So, it is better to use a connected physical controller, as is the case I have used: the PS4 controller. Connecting it to a telephone is very easy. Also Nvidia adapts well to controls in the game, such as menus or graphics. All achievements are stored online and on the server assigned to the GeForce account Now, so it is not necessary to download anything from the phone except the content of the broadcast itself.
GeForce Now it's like having a game server easily accessible online
Aside from mobile, I've also used GeForce Now on Android TV thanks to Nvidia Shield. Since an HDMI player / console is the same type of gaming device, I've been using beta for many months. In this sense, there are no major changes in the jump to stable version since standard features are set: great gameplay, excellent quality
After also having Google Stadia, I can say that there is no added difference in game performance: both blurring the distance barrier thanks to a slight movement in the controls. Yes I see a good deal for GeForce Now it does not compel you to buy games for the purpose of the platform, as Stadia did. This means that you will always have them and that you can also download them to your computer for offline playback: it is enough to connect to your Steam account.
Bad about GeForce Now
So far I've talked about some great points of the platform, many of them, but that doesn't stop with the & # 39; s dark side & # 39; Those of us who have been in beta for months know this well because we are complaining freely to Nvidia.
The main problem is that games featuring GeForce Now appear and disappear overnight. That is, if you want to play the game in streaming and buy it because you are ready for the platform, you may find it difficult to play it because Nvidia takes it out of the catalog. Therefore, without prior notice. So far the company has not received strong support from developers, but this could change with a more stable form and by incorporating subscriptions. To know the available games you can contact the GeForce Now catalog.
GeForce-related games Now may disappear without recognition: the fact that one day you play straight doesn't mean you can continue playing tomorrow
Track Ray or Ray Tracing is available to founders (premium subscribers), however Nvidia hasn't said anything about 4K streaming yet. Google introduced that screen resolution to Stadia, so Nvidia has to say.
Another is to return the need to start the game each time the phone screen is switched on or switch to another app. This includes restarting the server load, frequency and refresh of user data on Steam. A can, go.
In the mobile app not all games available through GeForce Now appear, as well as recently played games (as happened with The Witcher 3). The best way to play everything (and the cumbersome) delivered directly from the Steam library.
And not so much, the fact that GeForce Now seems to me a huge success. Streaming is high quality and anyone can try it without paying the euro: have a compatible game on Steam and that's it. There are also free games included in the account, like Tomb Raider or Batman: Arkham City. You know: my recommendation is to try. Also, if the game's broadcast is of interest to you, you can sign up for Founders: GeForce Now will charge you nothing for the first three months. And then the cost will be reduced until the first year of registration (5.49 euros).
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