cloud gaming Archives

AppWizard

September 4, 2026

Xbox Cloud Gaming Limits Start in November: 15 Hours on Ultimate

Microsoft will implement monthly limits on Xbox Cloud Gaming starting in November 2026. Game Pass Ultimate members will receive 15 hours of cloud gaming per month, Premium members will have 10 hours, and Essential members will have 5 hours. Additional hours can be purchased, but pricing details are not yet available. Currently, Game Pass subscribers have unlimited access to cloud gaming. Microsoft estimates that only about 4% of subscribers will be affected by these new limits. The service will be accessible on various platforms, and Microsoft plans to expand the library of games available for cloud streaming. The decision to impose limits is attributed to rising infrastructure costs due to increased usage. Specific details regarding the purchase of additional hours and other related information are still pending.

AppWizard

September 3, 2026

Microsoft announces cap on Xbox Cloud Gaming hours for Game Pass subscribers, admits most aren’t using it much anyway

Microsoft's gaming division is facing challenges due to layoffs, industry consolidation issues, and controversial partnerships. Xbox is increasing service costs for its cloud gaming service, introducing a monthly cap for Game Pass subscribers starting in November, after which additional playtime must be purchased. This change follows a decline in Xbox revenue, which fell by .7 billion over the past year. Xbox also tested an ad-supported game streaming model to boost revenue. The effectiveness of the new pricing strategy is uncertain, especially after a previous price hike led to a loss of "millions" of Game Pass subscribers. Xbox plans to engage with its player base for feedback on these changes.

AppWizard

August 28, 2026

Gaming Has Never Been Better. So Why Does It Feel Like the Worst Time to Be a Gamer?

The gaming industry is experiencing a surge in high-profile releases, including Grand Theft Auto 6, Control Resonant, Ace Combat 8, and Modern Warfare 4. However, the cost of entry has increased significantly, with flagship consoles like the PS5 and Xbox Series X now priced at least 0 above their launch prices. Microsoft is reportedly losing 0 per console sold, and the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 is expected to see a price increase. A shortage of memory and storage, driven by AI demands, has made essential gaming hardware more expensive. Mobile gaming and PC gaming are also affected, with graphics card prices projected to rise by 20% to 30%. The term “RAMageddon” has emerged to describe the doubling of memory prices since late 2025. Major companies like Microsoft and Sony are facing disappointing hardware sales, with projections of an 11% decline in PC shipments by 2026. The traditional model of game ownership is shifting towards a rental-like system, with digital sales tying ownership to accounts and licenses. Concerns about game accessibility have grown, leading to the Stop Killing Games movement. Nintendo's introduction of Game-Key Cards for resale has raised questions about long-term access, while Sony plans to end production of physical game discs by 2028. The average cost of AAA games has risen, with new titles like Mario Kart World for the Switch 2 priced at . Cloud gaming and subscription services further complicate ownership, as game availability is contingent on licensing agreements.

BetaBeacon

August 26, 2026

Lenovo’s first Android handheld lets you stream PC games without a network connection

Lenovo has launched the Legion Cloud Gaming Handheld C700 in China, offering a budget-friendly option for gamers. The device features a unique dongle for offline game streaming, a 7.82-inch FHD 120Hz LCD panel, Dimensity 7400 processor, 6-8GB of RAM, 128-256GB of storage, and an 8,000mAh battery. Priced at around 7, the C700 is currently available in China with no global availability confirmed.

AppWizard

August 21, 2026

DLsite parent company’s new cloud engine-based service for playing PC titles via mobile launches on August 26

viviON, the parent company of DLsite, will launch its cloud gaming service, viviON Games, on August 26. This service allows users to play PC games on their smartphones using the OOParts cloud gaming engine, eliminating the need for downloads. It aims to enhance accessibility for players and developers, adopting a one-time purchase model. Leading up to the launch, viviON Games is revealing one game per day on its X account, with the first title being Daidai’s adventure horror game, The Aquarium Does Not Dance. A demo showcased various titles, including Yomawari: Lost in the Dark and One Way Heroics Plus, though the final launch lineup is yet to be confirmed.

AppWizard

August 20, 2026

Bring the Fire: Play Games on GeForce NOW With New Firefox Browser Support

GeForce NOW has introduced support for Firefox, enabling gamers to play PC games directly from their browsers without downloads or installations. This integration allows access to high-performance gaming on various devices, with graphics powered by GeForce RTX at resolutions up to 1440p and frame rates of 120 fps for Ultimate members. Users can start gaming by downloading the latest version of Firefox and visiting play.geforcenow.com. The platform also offers cloud saves for seamless transitions across different devices. New game releases include Gallipoli, Stars Reach, The Sinking City 2, and more, with varying availability on GeForce NOW. Users can begin with a day pass, which can be credited toward a membership upgrade.

AppWizard

August 19, 2026

Nvidia GeForce Now finally comes to Firefox, “months in the making” with support for “over 2,000 games”

Nvidia GeForce Now has launched on Firefox for Windows, allowing users to stream over 2,000 PC games directly from the browser without needing to download a standalone application. The service offers enhanced performance for Ultimate subscribers, reaching RTX 5080-level graphics. Users can multitask with other applications and link their libraries from major PC storefronts like Steam and Epic Games Store. To access the service, users must update to the latest version of Firefox and log in at play.geforcenow.com. Nvidia will share more details about this partnership during Gamescom on August 25.

AppWizard

August 18, 2026

A different kind of Minecraft: 90% positive action RPG is under $10 on Steam

Steam is an online distribution service developed by Valve Corporation that offers a vast library of games, including indie and blockbuster titles. It continuously updates its platform with new features to enhance user experience, such as tools for developers to reach broader audiences, algorithms for game discovery, community engagement features like forums and user reviews, and regular sales events. Steam supports cross-platform play, allowing collaboration among gamers on different devices. The platform is also focusing on virtual reality and cloud gaming to adapt to industry trends.

AppWizard

August 13, 2026

GeForce NOW comes to Linux, as Nvidia’s game streaming service exits beta

The prices of graphics cards and RAM have increased significantly, making building new PCs expensive for gamers. Cloud-streaming services like Nvidia's GeForce NOW provide an alternative by allowing access to existing game libraries from platforms such as Steam and Epic Games. The highest tier membership offers 5K streaming and up to 360 FPS for .99 per month. Nvidia's GeForce NOW has launched a native Linux application, moving out of beta, which allows Linux users to stream games at graphical fidelity comparable to RTX 5080 levels, with official support for Ubuntu 24.04 and later. The service has added nine new games, bringing the total to over 4,500 compatible titles. Since early 2026, a 100-hour monthly streaming cap has been implemented for all users to manage demand.

AppWizard

August 11, 2026

Xodus Cracks Xbox Authentication and Game Package Decryption to Bring PC Game Pass to Linux

Developers of the Heroic Games Launcher have announced Xodus, an open-source project aimed at enabling access to PC Game Pass on Linux and macOS. Launched on August 10, 2026, Xodus has successfully addressed Xbox identity authentication and the decryption of MSIXVC packages, allowing local play of Game Pass titles for Linux and macOS users. Currently, the only way to access Game Pass on non-Windows devices is through Xbox Cloud Gaming, which requires a Game Pass Ultimate subscription and introduces latency. Xodus employs a layered architecture, including an Xbox Authentication Library (xal-rs) for managing Microsoft account sign-ins and license verification, and a reimplementation of the xgameruntime.dll for license checks and Xbox service access. The project can retrieve MSIXVC game packages using a valid Game Pass subscription and decrypt executables for local storage. However, it does not yet support UWP-based titles and lacks a user-friendly interface for general users. The project is under pressure due to Microsoft's upcoming transition to the MSIXVC2 package format, which Xodus does not currently support. Xodus is in early development with only a command-line interface available, and the team is working on emulating the GDK Gaming Services layer necessary for game initialization. The project is legal as it reimplements Xbox runtime behavior without enabling piracy, but it faces risks if Microsoft alters its authentication infrastructure.