Amazon Luna: Difference between revisions - Wikipedia
Article Images
Line 10:
| caption =
| developer = [[Amazon (company)|Amazon]]
| launched = * {{Vgrelease|USA|March 1, 2022|Canada|March 22, 2023|EU|March 22, (U.S.)2023}}
| operating system = [[Fire TV]], [[Amazon Fire|Fire]] tablets, [[Samsung Electronics|Samsung]] Smart TV, [[LG]] TV.<br/>Windows PC, Mac, Chromebook, iPhone, iPad, Android (as a [[web app]])
* March 22, 2023 (Canada, UK and Germany)
* November 15, 2023 (France, Italy and Spain)
* June 20, 2024 (Austria, The Netherlands and Poland)
| operating system = <p>[[Web app]] (on Windows PC, Mac, Chromebook, iPhone, iPad, Android)</p> <p>Custom app (on Fire TV, Fire Tablets, Samsung SmartTV, LG TV)</p>
| type = [[Cloud gaming]] service
| status = Active
| pricing = $9.99Monthly per month or included with Amazon Primesubscription
| members =
| members = Only available to subscribers within certain territories and countries.
| website = {{URL|https://amazon.com/luna}}
}}
'''Amazon Luna''' is a [[cloud gaming]] platform developed and operated by [[Amazon (company)|Amazon]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Webster|first=Andrew|date=September 24, 2020|title=Amazon announces new cloud gaming service called Luna|url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/9/24/21451371/amazon-luna-cloud-gaming-service-twitch-alexa-controller|access-date=September 24, 2020|website=The Verge|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Amazon's Luna cloud gaming service arrives next month|url=https://www.engadget.com/amazon-cloud-game-streaming-luna-reveal-173946193.html|access-date=September 24, 2020|website=Engadget|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Blumenthal|first=Eli|title=Amazon Luna takes on Microsoft's xCloud, Google's Stadia in cloud gaming battle|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/amazon-luna-takes-on-microsofts-xcloud-googles-stadia-in-cloud-gaming-battle/|access-date=September 24, 2020|website=CNET|language=en}}</ref> Available only in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Austria, Poland, and The Netherlands, the platform is powered by [[Amazon Web Services]], has integration with [[Twitch (service)|Twitch]], and is available on [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]], [[Mac (computer)|Mac]], [[Amazon Fire TV]], [[iOS]] (as a [[progressive web app]]) as well as [[Android (operating system)|Android]]. LunaGames offers access to a selection of games via the Luna+ subscription as well as toand channels from brands such as [[Ubisoft+]] and [[Jackbox Games]] are accessed via the Luna+ paid subscription.
Luna uses the [[Windows Server]] operating system and Nvidia Tesla T4 graphics cards from [[Amazon Web Services]] for streaming games,<ref>{{Cite web |author=Orland, Kyle |date=September 25, 2020 |title=Amazon Luna servers will run Windows games directly on Nvidia T4 GPUs |url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/9/25/21455610/amazon-luna-game-streaming-windows-nvidia-gpu-servers |access-date=June 24, 2023 |publisher=[[Ars Technica]]}}</ref> 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]].
Luna had a soft launch with [[early access]] to invited subscribers only on October 20, 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Franzese|first=Tomas|date=September 25, 2020|title=Everything You Need To Know About Amazon Luna, A New Cloud-Gaming Contender|url=https://www.inverse.com/gaming/amazon-luna-release-date-game-list-controller-early-access|website=Inverse|access-date=December 3, 2020}}</ref> In its early access state, Amazon Luna featured about 100 different games combined<ref>{{Cite web|title=A closer look at Luna, Amazon's cloud gaming service|url=https://www.engadget.com/luna-amazon-cloud-gaming-interview-pwa-apple-173948922.html|access-date=September 24, 2020|website=Engadget|language=en}}</ref> with an introductory price of $5.99 a month.▼
== History ==
Amazon has partnered with [[Ubisoft]] and [[Epic Games]] to create a gaming channel exclusive to Luna, giving Luna subscribers access to Ubisoft and Epic Games titles the same day they release. 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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/amazon-partners-with-ubisoft-on-a-luna-game-streaming-channel/1100-6482563/?UniqueID=89844952-FE93-11EA-9755-36C496E8478F&ServiceType=twitter&PostType=link&ftag=ftag%3DGSS-05-10aab8e&TheTime=2020-09-24T18%3A27%3A00|title=Amazon Partners With Ubisoft On A Luna Game-Streaming Channel|date=September 24, 2020|access-date=September 24, 2020|author=Winslow, Jeremy|publisher=[[GameSpot]]}}</ref>
▲Luna had a soft launch with [[early access]] to invited subscribers only on October 20, 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Franzese |first=Tomas |date=September 25, 2020 |title=Everything You Need To Know About Amazon Luna, A New Cloud-Gaming Contender |url=https://www.inverse.com/gaming/amazon-luna-release-date-game-list-controller-early-access|website=Inverse |access-date=December 3, 2020 |website=Inverse}}</ref> In its early access state, Amazon Luna featured about 100 different games combined<ref>{{Cite web |title=A closer look at Luna, Amazon's cloud gaming service |url=https://www.engadget.com/luna-amazon-cloud-gaming-interview-pwa-apple-173948922.html |access-date=September 24, 2020 |website=Engadget |language=en}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Winslow, Jeremy |date=September 24, 2020 |title=Amazon Partners With Ubisoft On A Luna Game-Streaming Channel |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/amazon-partners-with-ubisoft-on-a-luna-game-streaming-channel/1100-6482563/?UniqueID=89844952-FE93-11EA-9755-36C496E8478F&ServiceType=twitter&PostType=link&ftag=ftag%3DGSS-05-10aab8e&TheTime=2020-09-24T18%3A27%3A00 |access-date=September 24, 2020 |publisher=[[GameSpot]]}}</ref>
Luna competes with other cloud gaming platforms like [[Xbox Cloud Gaming]], [[PlayStation Plus]] cloud streaming, and [[GeForce Now]].
Luna uses the [[Windows Server]] operating system and Nvidia Tesla T4 graphics cards from [[Amazon Web Services]] for streaming games.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/9/25/21455610/amazon-luna-game-streaming-windows-nvidia-gpu-servers|title=Amazon Luna servers will run Windows games directly on Nvidia T4 GPUs|date=September 25, 2020|access-date=June 24, 2023|author=Orland, Kyle|publisher=[[Ars Technica]]}}</ref>
== Features ==
=== Games ===
Luna offershas gamersa thelibrary abilityof toover play100 games onthat compatiblecan devicesbe accessed with lowthe latency and high-quality graphics. Luna gamers can access a librarypurchase of over 100 games by purchasing a subscription.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Henderson |first=Rik |date=2020-09-25 |title=Amazon Luna pricing, availability, games list, devices and all you need to know |url=https://www.pocket-lint.com/games/news/amazon/153973-amazon-luna-plus-cloud-gaming-games-list-price-devices-explained/ |access-date=2023-04-09 |website=Pocket-lint |language=en}}</ref>
Luna is powered by [[Amazon Web Services]], providing gamers with a low-latency, cloud gaming experience with minimal buffering. [[Twitch (service)|Twitch]] users can use their Amazon Luna to stream their gameplay by clicking the "Play on Luna" button.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Humphries |first=Mattew |date=February 22, 2022 |title=Amazon Adds 'Play on Luna' Button to Twitch Streams |url=https://www.pcmag.com/news/amazon-adds-play-on-luna-button-to-twitch-streams |access-date=2023-04-09 |website=PCMAG |language=en}}</ref>
=== Controllers ===
{{Infobox Information appliance
| name = Luna Controller
| logo =
| logo_alt =
| logo_size = 300px
Line 58 ⟶ 50:
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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-03-10 |title=Amazon Luna: Which Controllers Can You Use? |url=https://gamerant.com/amazon-luna-contollers-supported/ |access-date=2022-03-27 |website=Game Rant |language=en-US}}</ref>
The Luna Controller is an optional accessory sellingat forthe additional cost of $59.99. ItThe comes in a single color (black) andcontroller featureshas 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=What are the Buttons on the Amazon Luna Controller? - Amazon Customer Service |url=https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=GEKGVPKSY8B2RGHG |access-date=2023-04-09 |website=Amazon}}</ref> A microphone is built in, allowing supportwhich forsupports [[Amazon Alexa]]. The controller can connect through [[Wi-Fi]], [[Bluetooth]], or a [[USB-C]] cable.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Amazon Luna Controller Review |url=https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/amazon-luna-controller |website=PCMAG}}</ref>
USB connections can be used on Windows, Mac, Android, and Chromebook. iOS devices do not support USB OTG currently, and can only connect to game controllers over Bluetooth.
Users can check if their controllers are working properly before starting a game, by testing basic confirm/cancel & navigation functionality on the Luna main website (e.g the Settings page).
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:left"
Line 119 ⟶ 109:
== Availability ==
[[File:Amazon Luna Availability.svg|thumb|Availability of Amazon Luna as of NovemberJune 20232024: <br />
{{legend|#9146FF|Available}}
{{legend|#C0C0C0|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 yetunconfirmed. Guests who do not have a subscription are able to bejoin Luna Couch sessions hosted by subscribers to play local co-op confirmedgames.
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:left"
|-
! style="width: 150px;" | Country !! Launch date !! [[Domain name]] !! Notes
|-
| United States || {{date|2022-3-1|MDY}} || luna.amazon.com ||
|-
| United KingdomCanada || {{date|2023-3-22|MDY}} || luna.amazon.co.ukca ||
|-
| Germany || {{date|2023-3-22|MDY}} || luna.amazon.de ||
|-
| CanadaUnited Kingdom || {{date|2023-3-22|MDY}} || luna.amazon.caco.uk ||
|-
|France
|November 15, 2023
|luna.amazon.fr
|
|-
|Italy
|November 15, 2023
|luna.amazon.it
|
|-
|Spain
|November 15, 2023
|luna.amazon.es
|-
|Austria▼
|June 20, 2024▼
|luna.amazon.de▼
|-
|Poland
|June 20, 2024
|luna.amazon.pl
|
|-
▲|Austria
▲|June 20, 2024
▲|luna.amazon.de
|
|-
|The Netherlands
|June 20, 2024
|luna.amazon.nl
|
|-
| Other countries || {{tba}} || {{tba}} || Guests who do not have a subscription are able to join Luna Couch sessions hosted by subscribers to play local co-op games.
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:left"
|-
! style="width: 150px;" | Subscription Tier !! Notes<ref>{{Cite web|title=Amazon Luna Guide: What Is It & How Luna Works |url=https://www.highgroundgaming.com/how-does-amazon-luna-work/ }}</ref>
|-
| Prime Gaming || No additional charge with an existing Amazon Prime subscription in supported countries. <br> Lets users trial the service with a small selection of 6-7 games, which changes each month.
|-
| Luna+ || Paid subscription tier that offers access to the standard game catalogue.
|-
| Family Channel || Paid subscription tier that offers a selection of family-friendly games, rated E or E10+.
|-
| Retro Channel || Paid subscription tier that offers a selection of retro or retro-styled games.
|-
| Jackbox Games || Paid subscription tier that offers access to party games by [[Jackbox Games]].
|-
| Ubisoft+ || Paid subscription tier that offers access to games by [[Ubisoft]].
|-
|}