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Amazon Luna

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Amazon Luna
DeveloperAmazon
TypeCloud gaming service
Launch date
  • USA: March 1, 2022
  • Canada: March 22, 2023
  • EU: March 22, 2023
Operating system(s)Fire TV, Fire tablets, Samsung Smart TV, LG TV.
Windows PC, Mac, Chromebook, iPhone, iPad, Android (as a web app)
StatusActive
Pricing modelMonthly subscription
Websiteamazon.com/luna

Amazon Luna is a cloud gaming platform developed and operated by Amazon.[1][2][3] The platform has integration with Twitch and is available on Windows, Mac, Amazon Fire TV, iOS (as a progressive web app) as well as Android. Games and 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,[4] 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.

History

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Luna had a soft launch with early access to invited subscribers only on October 20, 2020.[5] In its early access state, Amazon Luna featured about 100 different games combined[6] 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.[7]

Features

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Games

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Luna has a library of over 100 games that can be accessed with the purchase of a subscription.[8]

Controllers

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Luna Controller
ManufacturerAmazon
TypeVideo game controller
Release dateMarch 1, 2022
Input

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.[9]

The Luna Controller is an optional accessory at the additional cost of $59.99. The controller has 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.[10] A microphone is built in, which supports Amazon Alexa. The controller can connect through Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or a USB-C cable.[11]

USB connections can be used on Windows, Mac, Android, and Chromebook. iOS devices do not support USB OTG, and can only connect to game controllers over Bluetooth.

Supported controllers Connection method Controller input API Notes[12]
Mouse and keyboard USB, Bluetooth —
  • In Luna Couch sessions, guests have to ask the host to manually enable keyboard support for local co-op games.
Third-party controllers
(e.g Logitech Gamepad F310, F710 or SteelSeries Stratus+, Stratus Duo) 		USB, Bluetooth DirectInput
XInput
  • Both DirectInput and XInput controller APIs are supported. Controllers in XInput mode are treated as Xbox controllers.
  • Possible issues might occur, such as a controller not responding to inputs. This usually can be resolved by: toggling the switch on the controller to DirectInput & re-plugging the USB cable to refresh the connection, or quitting/re-joining a game session.
  • USB connections can also be used on Android devices by plugging in a USB OTG (Micro-USB/USB-C to USB-A) adapter on an Android phone/tablet.
Xbox Wireless Controller (for Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S) USB, Bluetooth XInput
  • USB connections can also be used on Android devices by plugging in a USB OTG (Micro-USB/USB-C to USB-A) adapter on an Android phone/tablet.
PlayStation 4 controller (DualShock 4) USB, Bluetooth DirectInput
PlayStation 5 controller (DualSense) USB, Bluetooth DirectInput
Luna Controller USB, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi (Cloud Direct) DirectInput (default)
XInput (with optional driver installation)
  • The Cloud Direct option connects a Luna Controller directly to Amazon's custom game servers, reducing latency.
  • The Luna controller operates in DirectInput mode by default. XInput mode can be activated by installing the hardware drivers.[13]
  • Using Bluetooth with a Luna controller on Windows requires installation of hardware drivers.[14]
  • USB connections can also be used on Android devices with a USB-C to USB-C cable.
Phone touchscreen as virtual controller Wi-Fi (Cloud Direct) —
  • The Luna Controller mobile app allows a phone's touchscreen to be used as a virtual controller for operating Luna on another computer or smart TV.[15]

Reception

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In a review of Amazon Luna in March 2021, a CNN article praised the service for its lower price compared to Stadia and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and praised its user interface, while criticizing occasional lag issues and its initial game lineup.[16] A review from Screen Rant criticized the channel setup, arguing that those who want the full experience will end up paying more than for similar services. The review remarked that the service feels misguided, with an unclear target audience, and considered it too impractical to recommend to consumers. However, it also stated that it may be a good replacement to a console for people who prefer using subscription services.[17]

Availability

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Availability of Amazon Luna as of June 2024:
  Available
  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 unconfirmed. Guests who do not have a subscription are able to join Luna Couch sessions hosted by subscribers to play local co-op games.

Country Launch date Domain name
United States March 1, 2022 luna.amazon.com
Canada March 22, 2023 luna.amazon.ca
Germany March 22, 2023 luna.amazon.de
United Kingdom March 22, 2023 luna.amazon.co.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
The Netherlands June 20, 2024 luna.amazon.nl

References

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  1. ^ Webster, Andrew (September 24, 2020). "Amazon announces new cloud gaming service called Luna". The Verge. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  2. ^ "Amazon's Luna cloud gaming service arrives next month". Engadget. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  3. ^ Blumenthal, Eli. "Amazon Luna takes on Microsoft's xCloud, Google's Stadia in cloud gaming battle". CNET. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  4. ^ Orland, Kyle (September 25, 2020). "Amazon Luna servers will run Windows games directly on Nvidia T4 GPUs". Ars Technica. Retrieved June 24, 2023.
  5. ^ Franzese, Tomas (September 25, 2020). "Everything You Need To Know About Amazon Luna, A New Cloud-Gaming Contender". Inverse. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
  6. ^ "A closer look at Luna, Amazon's cloud gaming service". Engadget. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  7. ^ Winslow, Jeremy (September 24, 2020). "Amazon Partners With Ubisoft On A Luna Game-Streaming Channel". GameSpot. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  8. ^ Henderson, Rik (September 25, 2020). "Amazon Luna pricing, availability, games list, devices and all you need to know". Pocket-lint. Retrieved April 9, 2023.
  9. ^ "Amazon Luna: Which Controllers Can You Use?". Game Rant. March 10, 2022. Retrieved March 27, 2022.
  10. ^ "What are the Buttons on the Amazon Luna Controller? - Amazon Customer Service". Amazon. Retrieved April 9, 2023.
  11. ^ "Amazon Luna Controller Review". PCMAG.
  12. ^ "Controllers Compatible with Amazon Luna - Amazon Customer Service".
  13. ^ "Controller:Amazon Luna Controller - PCGamingWiki PCGW".
  14. ^ "Connection Options for Amazon Luna Controller - Amazon Customer Service".
  15. ^ "Set Up a Luna Phone Controller - Amazon Customer Service".
  16. ^ Andronico, Michael (January 17, 2022). "Amazon Luna review: A good, cheap way to game without a console". CNN Underscored. Retrieved March 27, 2022.
  17. ^ "Amazon Luna Review: A Comfortable Controller & Good Cloud Service". ScreenRant. March 16, 2022. Retrieved March 27, 2022.
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