Apple TV Arcade, Google Stadia, Microsoft Xbox Game Pass, Sony PlayStation and Nintendo Switch, which is the best steaming service for gaming & TV? Since the Sim4 and Pokémon Sword become a trend in gaming field, there is an increasing number of players choosing to play games on TV. Although some games can be played only on a certain device, a new crop of video game subscription services from companies including Apple, Google, and Microsoft eliminate the need for dedicated hardware.
Most of the sevices are like Netflix: pay a small monthly fee, then you can enjoy games on your PC, tablet,smartphone or via TV boxes. Among all the services provided by famous brands such as Apple, Google, Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo, which is the best? Here we list the differences between them on the basis of
the price and supported hardware.
(souce: nbcsandiego)
Video Game Subscription Services Comparison
1.Apple Arcade
Price: $5 per month (1 month free trial)
Supported hardware: iPhone, iPad, macOS, and Apple TV
Apple Arcade is a subscription service that unlocks a library of more than 100 games that can be played on an iPhone, iPad, and Mac, and on a television through Apple TV. (You can use an Xbox or PS4 controller to control the games if you don’t like touch-screen controls.)
Apple Arcade's lineup consists mainly of high-quality games such as Sonic Racing, Rayman Mini, and Pac-Man Party Royale, a four-player version of the classic puzzle game. Games are downloaded to your device in full, but you lose access to them if you cancel your subscription.
The games don’t have ads or in-app purchases, which can make them particularly appealing for families who are concerned about their kids spending money on virtual items.
2.Google Stadia
Price: Free, or $10 per month for Pro tier; games are purchased separately (2 months free trial)
Supported hardware: Computers, smartphones, tablets, TVs
Google Stadia is a streaming service, which means you don't have to wait for games to download—you just start playing. Exactly how well the service performs depends on your internet connection, but Google recommends at least 10 megabits per second to stream in 1080p (aka Full HD).
There are two subscription tiers: a free tier and a $10 per month tier called Pro. The free tier lets you stream games with a video resolution up to 1080p, while Pro lets you stream up to 4K HDR and supports 5.1 surround sound. Most games have to be purchased outright, but you get a discount if you subscribe to Pro. And Pro subscribers also get occasional free games.
The price for games on Stadia varies. For example, the popular fighting game Mortal Kombat 11 costs around $60 (or $40 with Pro), and the adventure game Final Fantasy XV costs around $40 (or $30 with Pro).
Where Stadia excels is in its compatibility with a wide variety of devices. It works on just about any computer as long as you’re using a recent version of the Chrome web browser. It can also be used on smartphones and tablets through the Stadia app. You can play on your big-screen TV if you have a Chromecast Ultra streaming device.
3.Microsoft Xbox Game Pass
Price: $5 to $15 per month, depending on which tier you choose ($1 for the 1st month)
Supported hardware: Xbox One (starts around $200) and PCs
Xbox Game Pass represents a real value for anyone who plans on playing a lot of video games. For $15 per month you get access to a library of more than 100 titles, many of which can be played on either an Xbox One game console or a Windows-based computer. If you want to play only on an Xbox, the service costs $10 per month, and if you want to play only on a PC, it costs just $5 per month.
Microsoft has done a good job adding games to the Game Pass library on the same day they're available at retail—a unique selling point for the service. You download these games, but you lose access to them if you drop your subscription.
You can also play select games online against other players.
Microsoft is also developing a service called Project xCloud that will let you stream games to your mobile device, but no official launch date has been set.
4.Nintendo Switch Online
Price: $4 per month (7-day free trial)
Supported hardware: Nintendo Switch (starts around $200)
Nintendo Switch Online is the online service for Nintendo's popular Switch console. A subscription grants access to more than 70 classic NES and SNES games, including popular titles such as Super Mario Bros. (1985, NES), The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (1991, SNES), and Super Metroid (1994, SNES). That’s a good amount of content for just $4 per month. As with other services, Nintendo yanks your access to the games if you cancel your subscription.
The service also lets you play select games online against other players. Those titles include Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Tetris 99—a version of the classic puzzle game where you compete against 98 other players simultaneously.
Nintendo's games tend to be family-friendly, making this service a good choice for families with younger children.
5.Sony PlayStation Plus + PlayStation Now
Price: $50 per year (roughly $4 per month) or $8 monthly (14 days free trial)
Supported hardware: PS4 (starts at around $300) and PCs
PlayStation Plus is Sony’s online service for its PS4 game console. Primarily, it lets you play select games online. You don't get a Netflix-like library of games included with your subscription—you’re expected to buy games separately—but Sony does provide two games per month free to subscribers. These games are yours to keep for as long as you’re a subscriber.
Sony also has a streaming service called PlayStation Now ($10 per month). How well that works largely depends on your internet connection; Sony recommends at least 5 megabits per second, which isn’t a particularly demanding speed. (If that's more throughput than you're getting, there are ways to improve your home WiFi network.) PlayStation Now can be accessed on either a PS4 or a Windows PC.
6.Various Digital Stores
Price: Varies by store (Free demos are frequently available)
Supported hardware: Varies by store
Beyond the subscription services already described, you can download games à la carte from several popular digital stores. These include Steam (PC/Mac), Epic Games Store (PC/Mac), GoG (PC/Mac), the Microsoft Store (PC), and of course the iOS and Android app stores. Prices vary for games, but you'll encounter frequent sales throughout the year, particularly around major holidays.
Most of the sevices are like Netflix: pay a small monthly fee, then you can enjoy games on your PC, tablet,smartphone or via TV boxes. Among all the services provided by famous brands such as Apple, Google, Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo, which is the best? Here we list the differences between them on the basis of
the price and supported hardware.
(souce: nbcsandiego)
Video Game Subscription Services Comparison
1.Apple Arcade
Price: $5 per month (1 month free trial)
Supported hardware: iPhone, iPad, macOS, and Apple TV
Apple Arcade is a subscription service that unlocks a library of more than 100 games that can be played on an iPhone, iPad, and Mac, and on a television through Apple TV. (You can use an Xbox or PS4 controller to control the games if you don’t like touch-screen controls.)
Apple Arcade's lineup consists mainly of high-quality games such as Sonic Racing, Rayman Mini, and Pac-Man Party Royale, a four-player version of the classic puzzle game. Games are downloaded to your device in full, but you lose access to them if you cancel your subscription.
The games don’t have ads or in-app purchases, which can make them particularly appealing for families who are concerned about their kids spending money on virtual items.
2.Google Stadia
Price: Free, or $10 per month for Pro tier; games are purchased separately (2 months free trial)
Supported hardware: Computers, smartphones, tablets, TVs
Google Stadia is a streaming service, which means you don't have to wait for games to download—you just start playing. Exactly how well the service performs depends on your internet connection, but Google recommends at least 10 megabits per second to stream in 1080p (aka Full HD).
There are two subscription tiers: a free tier and a $10 per month tier called Pro. The free tier lets you stream games with a video resolution up to 1080p, while Pro lets you stream up to 4K HDR and supports 5.1 surround sound. Most games have to be purchased outright, but you get a discount if you subscribe to Pro. And Pro subscribers also get occasional free games.
The price for games on Stadia varies. For example, the popular fighting game Mortal Kombat 11 costs around $60 (or $40 with Pro), and the adventure game Final Fantasy XV costs around $40 (or $30 with Pro).
Where Stadia excels is in its compatibility with a wide variety of devices. It works on just about any computer as long as you’re using a recent version of the Chrome web browser. It can also be used on smartphones and tablets through the Stadia app. You can play on your big-screen TV if you have a Chromecast Ultra streaming device.
3.Microsoft Xbox Game Pass
Price: $5 to $15 per month, depending on which tier you choose ($1 for the 1st month)
Supported hardware: Xbox One (starts around $200) and PCs
Xbox Game Pass represents a real value for anyone who plans on playing a lot of video games. For $15 per month you get access to a library of more than 100 titles, many of which can be played on either an Xbox One game console or a Windows-based computer. If you want to play only on an Xbox, the service costs $10 per month, and if you want to play only on a PC, it costs just $5 per month.
Microsoft has done a good job adding games to the Game Pass library on the same day they're available at retail—a unique selling point for the service. You download these games, but you lose access to them if you drop your subscription.
You can also play select games online against other players.
Microsoft is also developing a service called Project xCloud that will let you stream games to your mobile device, but no official launch date has been set.
4.Nintendo Switch Online
Price: $4 per month (7-day free trial)
Supported hardware: Nintendo Switch (starts around $200)
Nintendo Switch Online is the online service for Nintendo's popular Switch console. A subscription grants access to more than 70 classic NES and SNES games, including popular titles such as Super Mario Bros. (1985, NES), The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (1991, SNES), and Super Metroid (1994, SNES). That’s a good amount of content for just $4 per month. As with other services, Nintendo yanks your access to the games if you cancel your subscription.
The service also lets you play select games online against other players. Those titles include Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Tetris 99—a version of the classic puzzle game where you compete against 98 other players simultaneously.
Nintendo's games tend to be family-friendly, making this service a good choice for families with younger children.
5.Sony PlayStation Plus + PlayStation Now
Price: $50 per year (roughly $4 per month) or $8 monthly (14 days free trial)
Supported hardware: PS4 (starts at around $300) and PCs
PlayStation Plus is Sony’s online service for its PS4 game console. Primarily, it lets you play select games online. You don't get a Netflix-like library of games included with your subscription—you’re expected to buy games separately—but Sony does provide two games per month free to subscribers. These games are yours to keep for as long as you’re a subscriber.
Sony also has a streaming service called PlayStation Now ($10 per month). How well that works largely depends on your internet connection; Sony recommends at least 5 megabits per second, which isn’t a particularly demanding speed. (If that's more throughput than you're getting, there are ways to improve your home WiFi network.) PlayStation Now can be accessed on either a PS4 or a Windows PC.
6.Various Digital Stores
Price: Varies by store (Free demos are frequently available)
Supported hardware: Varies by store
Beyond the subscription services already described, you can download games à la carte from several popular digital stores. These include Steam (PC/Mac), Epic Games Store (PC/Mac), GoG (PC/Mac), the Microsoft Store (PC), and of course the iOS and Android app stores. Prices vary for games, but you'll encounter frequent sales throughout the year, particularly around major holidays.
