Gaming in the cloud: is it worth it?

Undoubtedly, if you are regular video game players, you will have heard about the release of cloud gaming with services such as Google Stadia or Geforce Now. These types of services are still a bit green, but we have proposed to analyze whether it is worthwhile to be able to play from anywhere with any device or if on the contrary it is better to stay with our computers and consoles until this cloud gaming service is better developed and has functionalities that adapt to all types of players

Google Stadia: the first major cloud offering

Cloud gaming is starting to convince a certain number of players today. Stadia can already be enjoyed for 129 euros, including a controller, a chromecast and three months of PRO subscription. In the box come all these components that will allow you to play from minute 1. We will plug the Chromecast to the TV and we will have to link it with our Google account. Throughout 2020 the free version of this service will be released, which differs from the PRO in that it will not have 4K graphics, nor 60fps or 5.1 sound

We have noticed some latency, one due to the controller when connecting via bluethooth, and another due to the delay of the chromecast because of its wi-fi connection. If you play with controller and chromecast, the latency is noticeable. We recommend playing directly on the computer. To change the quality and settings of the games we will always have to resort to the Stadia mobile application

Having a computer with few resources should not be a problem to play neither Google Stadia nor Geforce Now. It will not be necessary to have a computer with the latest generation components to enjoy cloud gaming services. Google Stadia allows you to switch between multiple devices quickly and without losing your game progress. So, if someone occupies the TV you were playing on, you can move your game to your desktop, laptop or even your mobile in seconds

Geforce Now: a cloud-based gaming subscription

At Geforce you pay 5.49 per month with the first three months free. If you have purchased a game on another platform such as Steam, you will not have to pay for it again on Geforce Now. In the free version you can play one-hour sessions. The graphics options are limited and only reach 1080p. You can select the maximum bitrate, which is somewhat higher than what Google Stadia allows, reaching up to 50 Mbps. You don't need a big computer, as with Google Stadia, to enjoy Geforce Now

geforce Now or Google Stadia?

The initial outlay for Google is 130 euros at present, pending the free version of Google Stadia. In Geforce Now you have a three-month trial and from the fourth month you can enjoy cloud gaming for less than 6 euros. Stadia forces you to buy games and Geforce Now allows you to play games purchased on other platforms. The virtue of Google Stadia lies in being able to switch quickly between devices without losing your game progress