Game Streaming Archives - Gizmochina

How to Play AAA Games on Smartphones: Streaming, Emulation & More

Sean — Fri, 28 Mar 2025 16:41:07 +0000

Mobile gaming has come a long way in recent years thanks to advancing hardware and technology in smartphones. Playing console level AAA games on your devices is no longer a fantasy. So in this article, let’s explore the three primary ways you can play these PC or console games on your smartphones.

Streaming AAA Games to Smartphones

Cloud gaming services have revolutionized the way we access and play AAA titles on mobile devices. This is by far one of the best ways to experience AAA titles on your smartphone. By leveraging powerful remote servers or even your home gaming PC/console, one can stream the game directly to your device. So you don’t need the best hardware on your device.

There are plenty of platforms that offer these services like Xbox Cloud Gaming, Nvidia GeForce Now, and even Steam Link. With Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, you get access to a vast library of games that can be streamed on both iOS and Android phones. Nvidia GeForce Now connects your existing game libraries like Steam and Epic Games to play titles through both free and subscription tiers. Lastly, you have Steam Link for gaming PCs, which lets gamers steam their Steam library to mobile devices over a shared network.

Emulation

Emulation allows smartphone to play older AAA games. This can be achieved by mimicking older gaming consoles like the Sony PSP (PlayStation Portable). Improved hardware has meant that these modern phones can easily outperform older consoles like the PlayStation 2. On Android, users can run third party software or certain emulators from Google Play Store to run such games. Emulation used to be more restricted on iOS due to Apple’s app policies. However, there are certain emulation apps like Delta and PPSSPP that are finally available on the App Store that support emulation.

Native Support

While the first two methods are roundabout ways to either play modern or older AAA games, recent smartphones have also gotten native support for such big budget titles. Especially on iOS, the latest iPhones like the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 series can natively run big games like Resident Evil Village, Resident Evil 4 Remake, and Assassin’s Creed Mirage. These games are optimized to run on the iOS platform and use the iPhone’s hardware.

While these take up quite a bit of storage, this signifies a great shift of high end gaming on mobile devices. Unfortunately, Android users don’t get access to these massive franchises. But there are certain popular games like Minecraft, Terraria, Stardew Valley, and even older AAA games like Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. Back in August 2024, I also published an article titled “Why AAA Games Still Feel Out of Place on Smartphones“, which you should check out.

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Twitch ‘Actually’ Tightens Rules on Implied Nudity Amid Content Guidelines Revisions

Anubhav — Thu, 04 Jan 2024 12:21:42 +0000

Twitch, the popular yet controversial ‘game’ streaming platform, has recently updated its sexual content guidelines, clamping down on what it describes as “implied nudity”. This change comes amid a trend where some streamers were using censor bars and other items to give the impression of nudity, prompting Twitch to take action on a platform where minors can easily subject themselves to nudity while looking for content related to gaming.

This update comes soon after what seemed like Twitch somewhat relaxing its guidelines

The core of the new policy is straightforward: no full or partial nudity is allowed. This includes not just the actual exposure but also any suggestion of it, like covering parts of the body with objects or censor bars. The policy is particularly detailed when it comes to what is required to be covered, specifying areas for different genders.

Interestingly, the update follows a brief period when Twitch seemed to relax its rules, allowing artistic nudity under certain conditions. This was short-lived, as concerns over AI-generated explicit content led to a reversal of this stance. Now, even realistic or fictional nudity is banned, except in Mature-rated games.

What makes this update notable is the balancing act Twitch is performing, or rather, trying to perform. On one hand, it’s trying to maintain a platform that’s welcoming and safe for a wide audience. On the other, it’s navigating the tricky waters of content creation, where the line between creative expression and inappropriate content can be thin.

This change is bound to disappoint some content creators who push the boundaries for artistic or entertainment purposes. However, it’s a clear signal from Twitch that maintaining a certain standard of content is crucial for its community. It’s a reminder that as digital platforms evolve, so do their responsibilities and the expectations from their users.

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Microsoft may run Xbox Game Pass streaming for free with ads

Sean — Tue, 12 Dec 2023 13:30:56 +0000

Microsoft could be considering the idea of a new free Xbox Game Pass tier. A company executive has shared his thoughts regarding a new free tier for Xbox cloud game streaming that will support advertisements. So here are all the details.

Microsoft Xbox Game Pass May Stream with Ads

During the Wells Fargo TMT Summit, Tim Stuart, the Xbox Chief Financial Officer, told attendees that the company wants to bring Game Pass “to every screen that can play a game.” This will prove to be quite difficult, but a method that could help expand the service might be an ad supporting tier on game streaming. The change may help make the Game Pass a lot more accessible to gamers residing in emerging markets.

Stuart stated, “The vision I like to talk about is we have xCloud game streaming, so you can subscribe to Game Pass Ultimate and you can stream hundreds of games to really any endpoint that has a browser experience”. He adds that “For models like Africa, or India, Southeast Asia, maybe places that aren’t console-first, you can say, ‘hey, do you want to watch 30 seconds of an ad and then get two hours of game streaming?’

Ths would basically mean that Microsoft would run short ads that bring hours of gameplay to players in regions that do not have a high-end disposable income. Markets like Africa primarily game on smartphones and other mobile devices, so this feature will likely be more attractive in those regions. The American tech giant is rumored to be working on such a business model for the Xbox Game Pass, although, no official information has been revealed as of right now. So stick around for more as we will be providing updates when additional information is available regarding this matter.

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Microsoft’s Xbox September update arrives with Discord streaming, Voice reporting, & much more

Chetan — Thu, 07 Sep 2023 02:44:56 +0000

Microsoft brings a major September update for Xbox. This update has numerous exciting features like Variable Refresh rate (VRR), Voice Reporting, and a highly requested feature, Discord streaming.

For those unaware, Discord is a popular voice chat platform with features like streaming your game within the voice channel. Before this update, streaming on Discord was only possible on the PC platform, but Xbox users can now also enjoy the streaming services on the console. An overview of new features in this update is provided below:

Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) update for Xbox Series X/S consoles

Image Via Xbox Wire

Variable Refresh Rate allows users to adjust the refresh rate of the TV or monitor according to the frame rate of the content. This new feature provides a smooth and precise gaming experience. Some users may not want this VRR enabled. They can turn this setting off by going to General > TV & display options > Video and selecting the dropdown menu to “Off.”

Streaming Games on Discord

As mentioned above, it is now possible to stream your gameplay on Xbox. To get started, users first need to link their Discord account. From there, users must join a voice channel on the Xbox console and select “Stream your game” to start streaming.

Redeem Rewards

Xbox users will now find it easier to redeem their rewards with the new Rewards tab. Users can select Profile & System by pressing the Xbox button and choose My Rewards. Alternatively, players can redeem rewards directly from this option.

Ask to join the game session

Ask to join is an option now available in Xbox where the users can ask their friends to join their game session. Your friends will receive the notification of your request to join, and they can respond to it by game invite, party invite, or a message.

Voice reporting

In July, Xbox announced a new voice reporting feature that allows players to record a 60-second video clip of an in-game voice incident that they believe violates the Xbox community Standards and submit it as evidence to the safety team for review. The full report of this feature was covered on our website. Those wanting to know about this new feature can check our Xbox’s new voice reporting story here.

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Xbox users can now stream games directly on Discord

Sean — Thu, 03 Aug 2023 10:10:16 +0000

Xbox users rejoice as streaming your game on Discord is finally possible. The popular voice chat platform has announced that it will soon support game streaming on Microsoft’s popular gaming consoles.

Why is this a big deal?

At the moment, Discord on Xbox only enables voice chats and the screen-sharing feature that is enjoyed on PCs was not available. This feature has been highly requested by Discord users on consoles. Since the features first dropped, it allowed users to share their screens and games on Discord servers with friends. And now, the streaming feature is finally making its way to Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and Xbox One.

How to stream Xbox Games on Discord

As per the official blog, the Xbox users will first need to link their Xbox and Discord accounts via Discord on a smartphone or desktop. Head to ‘Settings’ and then ‘Connections, where you’ll find the option to connect the Xbox and Discord accounts. Following this process, return to Discord on Xbox and look for the option to “Stream your game” when sitting in a Discord Server or DM.

Notably, the Nitro members of Discord can also avail special benefits on the console as well. This includes 60fps streaming on 1080p resolution. Meanwhile, free members only get access to 720p resolution at 30fps. Keep in mind that streaming also takes resources, which can either impact gaming performance depending on the title you’re playing. In these situations, the resolution of the stream and its frame rate will likely drop. A good and stable internet connection is also required to get the full benefits.

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Sony’s New Game Streaming Device has an 8-inch Display and Streams Games from PlayStation 5

Anubhav — Thu, 25 May 2023 04:29:13 +0000

The rising popularity of game streaming devices can be attributed to their ability to meet the demands of modern gamers. These devices offer the convenience of portable gaming, allowing players to enjoy their favourite titles on the go. With access to a wide range of games without the need for extensive storage space, streaming devices provide instant and diverse gaming options. Advanced features, such as high-quality screens and compatibility with existing controllers, enhance the gaming experience. Additionally, advancements in internet connectivity and cloud-based gaming have reduced latency concerns, ensuring smooth gameplay.

The Sony Streaming Device will feature an 8-inch Display, bigger than the Nintendo Switch

Sony, the renowned gaming company, has once again captured the attention of gaming enthusiasts with its latest announcement during Wednesday’s PlayStation Showcase. The highly anticipated unveiling introduced an innovative streaming device for the PlayStation 5, named Project Q.

Project Q aims to revolutionize gaming on the go, allowing players to effortlessly stream their cherished PlayStation library to a compact screen through a shared Wi-Fi network. It’s important to note that games must already be installed on the paired PlayStation 5 to ensure smooth functionality. Regrettably, PlayStation VR 2 games will not be compatible with this streaming device.

The centerpiece of Project Q is an impressive eight-inch screen, reminiscent of the beloved Nintendo Switch or the more recent Steam Deck. Surrounding the screen are PlayStation controller halves, ingeniously designed to replicate all the buttons and features of a standard PlayStation 5 controller. This seamless integration promises a familiar gaming experience for PlayStation aficionados.

In addition to the groundbreaking Project Q, Sony also unveiled specialized PlayStation 5 earbuds. These earbuds promise audio immersion, offering lossless audio while playing games on both the PS5 and PC platforms. With these earbuds, Sony seeks to elevate gaming audio to new heights, providing players with an auditory experience that truly enhances their gameplay.

The future for Sony’s Project Q and similar streaming devices appears promising and exciting. As technology continues to advance, we can expect these devices to become more powerful and portable, enabling gamers to enjoy their favorite PlayStation titles on the go with increasing convenience. The eight-inch screen size of Project Q hints at the potential for larger screens or even foldable displays, offering players an immersive visual experience. Additionally, as internet speeds and connectivity improve, the streaming capabilities of these devices will become more seamless and reliable. We may also see expanded compatibility, allowing players to stream games from multiple platforms, further enhancing the versatility of these devices. With Sony’s commitment to innovation and the growing demand for portable gaming solutions, the future for Project Q and similar devices is undoubtedly bright, promising an exhilarating gaming experience for players wherever they may be.

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Google to shut down Stadia game streaming service in January 2023

Jeet — Fri, 30 Sep 2022 04:48:42 +0000

Google’s one of the ambitious products of recent times, Stadia, a digital gaming service, is being shut down. The service, which was launched in 2019, will be shutting down in the coming months, on 18th January 2023 to be precise.

The announcement comes at a time when the company is looking to cut costs. One of the reasons behind this decision is believed to be the lack of traction with the users than what the company had expected.

In a blog post making the announcement, Phil Harrison, Vice President at Google, said, “We’ve made the difficult decision to begin winding down our Stadia streaming service.” It was launched as an opportunity to put Google’s cloud streaming technology to work and enable gameplay at a massive scale.

The company says that it will refund all Stadia hardware purchases made through the Google Store and all game and add-on content purchases at the Stadia store. The majority of the refunds will be processed by mid-January, and the players will have access to their games library to play till 18th January.

Google adds that it will continue supporting gaming in other areas, along with helping developers build and distribute games on Google Play and Play Games. The technology developed for Stadia may end up being used in other Google services.

The Stadia game streaming service was announced to compete against other gaming services, including Sony’s PlayStation Plus cloud streaming, Amazon’s Luna, and Microsoft’s Xbox Cloud Gaming.

Google CEO Sundar Pichai recently announced that he wants the company to be 20 percent more efficient, and as a part of that, the Mountain View-based giant has been shutting down products. Recently, it was announced that the upcoming Pixel laptop has been canceled, and funding for Area-120 in-house incubator has been cut.

Google tests game streaming feature directly from Search results

Sean — Mon, 15 Aug 2022 11:56:32 +0000

Despite cloud gaming being announced a couple of years ago, it is still not as popular in the market as gaming on other platforms. But in a bid to make the game streaming more popular, Google is build the service right into its popular search feature itself.

Google Stadia

The news arrives from Bryant Chappel of The Nerf Report, who shared the information on Twitter. Apparently, users will soon be able to launch a game on Stadia directly from the search results. Furthermore, this feature will also support Xbox Cloud Gaming, NVIDIA GeForce Now, and Amazon Luna as well. For those enrolled in the test, simply searching for a game on one of those platform will offer a Play button in the information panel.

A good example of the games that will be offered via the search result is Destiny 2 and Halo Infinite. Clicking on the play button will either start up the game or take the users to a landing page on the different streaming platform. This feature is currently being tested with a 9To5Google report noting that the search results can show if a game has timed trial on Stadia or if it is available for free as a part of its premium subscription.

It looks like the Google search engine has a new update for cloud gaming platforms!!!

When searching for a game players can now launch a game directly from the search results utilizing @GoogleStadia. pic.twitter.com/xblOsBpF6O

— Bryant Chappel (@BryantChappel) August 11, 2022

Video streaming services like Netflix have already had this feature where the content being searched for is just a single click away from the search results. So, it arrives as no surprise that Google also plans on bringing this function for its own cloud gaming service as well as other platforms.

Nvidia GeForce Now game streaming service brings back Fortnite to iOS devices

Jeet — Fri, 14 Jan 2022 06:12:42 +0000

Nvidia GeForce Now game streaming service, which is already available for web users, is now making its debut on the App Store. And with this, the Fortnite game, owned by Epic Games, will be available for iOS devices.

A closed beta version will be available next week to test server capacity, graphics delivery, and touch controls. The company has already started taking registrations and beta access will be granted to the users in batches over the next few weeks.

Making the announcement, Nvidia said: “While PC games in the GeForce Now library are best experienced on mobile with a gamepad, the introduction of touch controls built by the GeForce NOW team offers more options for players, starting with Fortnite.” The company further added that it plans to offer more touch-friendly games in the future.

Based on the information available right now, it appears that users won’t need a paid GeForce Now membership for this. Those users who have been granted access will be able to play Fortnite through Safari on iOS and the GeForce Now app on Android. So far, an end date for the beta version hasn’t been revealed.

It’s been more than a year since Epic Games’ Fortnite was removed from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store for violating policy as the game introduced its own payment engine, and since then, the companies have been tangled in a legal battle.

Currently, this appears to be the only way to play Fornite on an iOS device until the game is officially available through the App Store. However, on an Android device, as there’s support for third-party app stores, Fortnite is available to download through third-party stores or can be sideloaded or installed directly.

Netflix acquires video game creator Night School Studio to boost its gaming service

Jeet — Wed, 29 Sep 2021 06:42:37 +0000

Earlier this year, in July, media streaming giant Netflix announced plans for adding game streaming services to its platform. Last month, Netflix Gaming made its debut in Poland with two Stranger Things mobile games.

Today, Netflix has announced the acquisition of video game creator Night School Studio, marking the first purchase of a gaming studio for the streaming giant.

Along with the acquisition, the company has also rolled out five mobile gaming titles in select European markets. Night School Studio is best known for its debut game, Oxenfree, a supernatural teen thriller with an eerie soundtrack.

The studio’s games — available on Sony’s PlayStation, Microsoft’s Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and PCs — will be the first non-mobile titles in Netflix’s video game portfolio.

The news about this acquisition comes at a time when Netflix is looking to diversify its revenue sources as the competition in the online streaming space is increased day by day and new platforms keep coming up.

In a statement, Night School Studio said: “Netflix gives film, TV, and now game makers an unprecedented canvas to create and deliver excellent entertainment to millions of people. Our explorations in narrative gameplay and Netflix’s track record of supporting diverse storytellers was such a natural pairing.”

Netflix has already confirmed that it won’t be offering a separate subscription for this new gaming service as it is ”a one-product company.” This means that a subscription to the streaming platform offers movies, TV shows, documentaries, and games.

Netflix plans to add game streaming to its service as early as next year

Habeeb Onawole — Thu, 15 Jul 2021 14:08:33 +0000

Netflix is already one of the top video streaming services in the world and now it is planning to take on game streaming services such as GeForce Now, Xbox Cloud Gaming, and Stadia as a report has revealed that Netflix plans to begin offering video games via its streaming service.

The announcement was made by Netflix itself yesterday, and a Bloomberg report adds that it has hired a new executive who used to work for Electronic Arts and Facebook. The new hire is Mike Verdu and he will take up the role of vice president of game development. Verdu was a former VP at Facebook who was in charge of working with developers to brings games to Oculus VR headsets. While at Electronic Arts, he worked on popular mobile games such as Sims, Plants vs Zombies, and Star Wars

Netflix won’t be creating a separate service for game streaming, instead, games will show up as part of the content available on its streaming platform and it plans to start offering as early as next year with no extra cost. Though we won’t be surprised if it raises the prices of its plans later on.

By offering game streaming along with its current catalog of shows, movies, and documentaries, Netflix will get an added advantage over competitors such as Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and other video streaming platforms.

The announcement not only raised the shares of Netflix but also negatively affected that of GameStop which dropped by 10%. It has also been reported that Netlfix will be recruiting in the coming months for positions to build its gaming team.

Amazon’s Luna will be available to all Prime members next week

Habeeb Onawole — Mon, 14 Jun 2021 14:09:33 +0000

Amazon made its entry into the game streaming service market last year with the launch of Luna. Up until now, the service has been available only to a limited number of users who have to request early access. That changes as Luna will be open to all Prime members next week for a limited time.

Luna will be available to Prime subscribers on June 21 and June 22 and they will be able to play free for 7 days according to Amazon. After the 7-day period, users will have to pay $5.99 per month to continue to enjoy the service. Luna is still only available in the US.

It has also been reported that the Luna Controller, which launched alongside the game streaming service last year for $49.99, has been discounted by 30%. This brings the price down to $34.99.

The controller connects via the cloud to the streaming service which reduces roundtrip latency by 17 to 30 ms compared to a local Bluetooth connection. It is compatible with Windows PC, Mac, Fire TV, iPhones, iPads, and select Android phones. The Luna Controller can also be connected via Bluetooth to the aforementioned devices to use as a controller to play other games outside Luna and it doubles as a remote control for the Fire TV.

If you don’t want to purchase the controller, Luna also works with the PS4’s DualShock 4 controller, the Xbox One’s controller, the Razer Kishi, and a keyboard + mouse.

Luna has its own games which include Control, GRID, Ghost Runner, and Metro Exodus. If you want more games, you can subscribe to the Ubisoft+ channel beta which grants you access to a library of Ubisoft games including big titles such as Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and Watchdog Legion. The Verge also reports that Amazon has knocked $40 off a Fire TV Stick 4K + Luna Controller bundle.

Samsung Galaxy S21 series gets support for Amazon Luna game streaming service

Jeet — Tue, 23 Mar 2021 12:39:12 +0000

The current flagship series from the South Korean giant Samsung — the Galaxy S21 lineup has now received support for the Amazon Luna game streaming service. This means that the devices in the lineup can access and play games on Amazon Luna.

The support is now available for all three smartphones — Galaxy S21, Galaxy S21 Plus, and Galaxy S21 Ultra. These phones already had access to Google’s Stadia, Microsoft’s Project xCloud, and Nvidia’s GeForce Now cloud gaming services.

Do note that its predecessor, the Samsung Galaxy S20 series already supports Amazon Luna. Making the announcement, Amazon Luna tweeted and said that “Amazon Luna is now compatible with even more Android devices from Samsung including the S21, S21+, and S21 Ultra phone.”

For those who are unaware, Amazon Luna is a game streaming service, and to play games, the user just needs a stable internet connection, a compatible game controller, and a device that supports the service.

Currently, the game streaming is limited to 1080p at 60fps but the company will soon add support for 4K games for select titles. Notably, Amazon’s cloud gaming service is only available in the United States.

At launch, it was accessible on Fire TV, PC, Mac, and via its own web app on iOS. A few months ago, the service was released for Android users and is similar to the iOS version where users can directly access the cloud gaming services via the Chrome web browser without the need to install a dedicated app.

Tencent to accept concessions to receive approval for its game streaming merger: Report

Sean — Tue, 23 Mar 2021 10:55:45 +0000

Tencent had announced that it planned to merge Huya and DouYu, China’s two largest online streaming platforms, for the first time last year. Although, this major merger would apparently require the company to accept certain concessions.

According to a Reuters report, the Chinese tech and social media giant has plans to merge the two streaming platforms, which account for about 80 percent of the entire market that is worth more than 3 billion US Dollars and still growing fast. However, due to the size of the merger, local regulators in China have shown concern as the move would also further grow the dominance of Tencent in the market.

Thus, to have the deal be approved by the authorities, the company is willing to accept certain conditions that it might be subjected to, as per sources close to the matter. Furthermore, the SAMR (or China’s State Administration of Market Regulation) had stated back in December that it was reviewing this merger deal. Unfortunately, Tencent, Huya, DouYu, and even SAMR have yet to comment on this matter or respond to any requests for comment.

The move from the regulators is also a part of the Chinese government’s anti monopoly crackdown on local tech giants. As per one source, the anti trust review against Tencent has been an “elongated process,” although, nothing has been confirmed at the moment. For those unaware, Huya and DouYu are the the first and second most popular online streaming platforms in China. The Chinese company is currently the largest shareholder of Huya with 36.9 percent and also owns about a third of DouYu as well.

Google is shutting down in-house Stadia game development studios

Jeet — Tue, 02 Feb 2021 07:33:51 +0000

A couple of years ago, Google launched its own game streaming service named Google Stadia and the company had plans of developing some of the games on its own for its newly introduced services. However, it seems that things didn’t work out well.

Google has announced that the company is shutting down its in-house game development studios for the Stadia platform. With this, the company will now be focusing on provided content from third-party developers.

The company is shutting down studios in Montreal and Los Angeles. Along with that, Google has also confirmed that Jade Raymond, who was hired by the company to lead this new game development division, is also leaving the company.

Making the announcement, Stadia Vice President and General Manager Phil Harrison confirmed that Google will continue to invest in the Stadia platform. Explaining the reason behind shutting down the game development studios, he says, “creating best-in-class games from the ground up takes many years and significant investment, and the cost is going up exponentially. Given our focus on building on the proven technology of Stadia as well as deepening our business partnerships, we’ve decided that we will not be investing further in bringing exclusive content from our internal development team SG&E [Stadia Games and Entertainment], beyond any near-term planned games.”

A few months ago, Jack Buser, Director of Games at Stadia had said that the company has around 400 games in the work for the streaming service and also added that exclusive games from studios like Harmonix and Supermassive are in development.