NVIDIA have announced some changes for the NVIDIA GeForce NOW game streaming service, so here's what you need to know. The service does work on Linux desktop and Steam Deck, and NVIDIA even released a Steam Deck install script, although last I checked NVIDIA were artificially limiting streams to 1080p on all Linux systems.
Firstly for people on the Priority plan (the first paid plan after Free): they're renaming it to Performance and giving it a bump up to 1440p from 1080p, with Ultrawide and support for saving graphics settings in certain games.
As for people on the Free plan NVIDIA say you will now "see they’re streaming from basic rigs, with varying specs that offer entry-level cloud gaming and are optimized for capacity".
Secondly, the big bit: they're going to cap subscribers to 100 hours of play time per month starting next year. They say this accounts for about "94% of their total members. 15 hours of unused playtime will automatically roll over to the next month, and you'll be able to buy 15 hours extra if you want ($2.99 Performance / $5.99 Ultimate).
Across a month with 30 days that would work out to a bit over 3 hours a day, every day.
If you're an existing active subscriber they will enable you to continue having unlimited playtime until January 2026, so you have until December 31st, 2024 to sign up and stay active to get that deal.
See more in their announcement.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
Quoting: BlackBloodRumHonestly if you want to stream games just do it yourself with Sunshine or Steam Remote Play.Because not everyone has a full desktop PC capable of it, that's part of the whole point really.
Why pay someone else for something you can do yourself?
Mohandevir about 14 hours ago
Quoting: Liam DaweQuoting: BlackBloodRumHonestly if you want to stream games just do it yourself with Sunshine or Steam Remote Play.Because not everyone has a full desktop PC capable of it, that's part of the whole point really.
Why pay someone else for something you can do yourself?
And, for my part, because I have an RX6600 on my host, my Steam Streaming is pretty garbage (lots of stuttering, input lags, slow downs and resolution artifacts with all of the mentionned solutions). GeForce Now is still the best solution, in my case.
My son is doing the same, on the same network, same cpu, but with a GTX 1660 Super and it's running much smoother.
It's not always a given that you'll have a good experience with Steam Link or Moonlight.
Last edited by Mohandevir on 7 November 2024 at 10:02 pm UTC
TheRiddick about 8 hours ago
Quoting: BlackBloodRumWhy pay someone else for something you can do yourself?
Because I don't have a gaming PC that can play 4k or Ultrawide.
Steam Deck got me back into PC gaming and is my main device for that.
My Xbox Series X was my main device before Deck.
I can use Nvidia app built into my 4k TV to play games on the big screen in higher quality than my Deck can manage.
The biggest issue was that the experience wasn't all that streamlined in the end, there was a waiting to prepare environment and whatnot...
aluminumgriffin about 3 hours ago
Quoting: BlackBloodRumWhy pay someone else for something you can do yourself?
To answer "why?", for me.
1) Doesn't require me to have a beefy GPU (hello sweet, sweet silence. Also, since this allows me to get away with NUCs I can have my computer VESA-mounted to the monitor, hello very clean desktop)
2) Works pretty great on a chromecast (gen4) (handy for a quick "grab the living rooom controller and sit in the sofa"-gaming, however, headset mics do not work on the chromecast, or at least didn't six months ago)
3) Works on pretty much any device with a browser (great when visiting friend)
4) DRM is now located on someone else's machines (drastically lowers security concerns)
4b) Some companies are willing to work with cloud providers but not with Linux (Fortnite being an example here).
5) Installs/Game sizes. There is something to be said for having a fresh game up and running in the time it takes you to grab snacks, not to mention not having to care about free space on disk.
6) Cost. Cloud Gaming costs about 120-150$ / year, an RTX
And yes, it works perfectly fine on a ca 2017 iGPU (NUC7i5), or at least did as of last night.
Same also holds true for boosteroid (I've used both quite a bit, I mainly prefer GeForce NOW, but boosteroid is my fallback when GeForce NOW isn't viable (RDR2 for example, or I guess post-Jan-2026 gaming))
* = Edits: seems "friendly" search swapped it for a 4070, *sighs*
Last edited by aluminumgriffin on 8 November 2024 at 9:31 am UTC
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