As the market for cloud gaming is still in its early stages, several services are competing to establish themselves as top players in the space. Amazon Luna is one such service that seeks to offer console-level gaming experiences across a range of devices, including TVs, computers, tablets, and mobile devices, all powered by Amazon Web Services (AWS).
Amazon Luna is a new cloud gaming service which allows users to play games on any devices they own. The games are stored and run on remote servers in the cloud and only need an internet connection and a compatible web browser or Luna app to access and play.
The games are streamed in real-time with minimal lag, so users can experience high-quality gaming without having to worry about downloading, installing, or updating game files on their local devices. The service works on a subscription model, with users accessing different fun channels for a monthly fee.
The Luna controller is a custom-designed controller for the Amazon Luna service. It has low latency and is optimized for cloud gaming, with direct Wi-Fi connectivity for improved performance.
By offering the Luna controller a discount during early access, Amazon hoped to incentivize early adopters to sign up for the service and provide feedback on the controller’s performance.
Overall, it’s great to see Amazon expanding into the cloud gaming space with Luna and providing users a new way to enjoy games without purchasing expensive hardware.
Amazon’s Luna game streaming service is now accessible to all users through a subscription or series of subscriptions after an invitation-only early access period. Like other game streaming services, Luna’s performance relies on a stable internet connection.
The Luna Controller gamepad is an innovative addition that can reduce input lag by transmitting inputs directly to Amazon’s servers through a separate Wi-Fi connection. While the Luna Controller is not obligatory, it is highly recommended. It can significantly enhance performance and allow users to switch effortlessly between compatible devices, making it an essential tool for maximizing the Luna experience.
However, we cannot ignore that cloud gaming is highly unpredictable and requires a strong connection between the user’s home Wi-Fi or Ethernet and the cloud gaming service.
Now talking about the system that Amazon Luna utilizes for its cloud gaming platform. It consists of an Intel Xeon Platinum 8259CL processor, which operates at a base clock speed of 2.50 GHz, and an NVIDIA Tesla T4 GPU.
According to PassMark Software’s website, the Intel Xeon Platinum 8259CL is a server-class processor with 24 cores, 48 threads, a base clock speed of 2.5 GHz, and a boost clock speed of 3.5 GHz. The processor uses the LGA 3647 socket and has a TDP of 210 W. Additionally, it has a full L3 cache of 36 MB and was first discovered in Q1 2020.
Due to ongoing supply chain issues with high-end gaming consoles and graphics cards, cloud-based game streaming services are emerging as a viable alternative that can deliver similar gaming performance without requiring costly hardware purchases.
While other services like Google Stadia have made similar claims, Amazon is trying to set itself apart by offering a Luna Gaming Bundle that bundles a Luna Controller with a Fire TV Stick 4K Max.
To evaluate the performance of Amazon Luna, reviewers have spent several weeks rigorously testing this bundle, putting the service to the test in various settings and across multiple devices.