14 DAY TRIAL // NVIDIA has just announced at CES 2018 that its game-streaming service GeForce NOW is available as a free beta on Windows PCs like desktops and laptops.
Basically, GeForce NOW is a service that enables under-powered systems to play games with high hardware requirements using cloud power, running all processes on high-performance machines belonging to NVIDIA.
Launched as a beta last summer, GeForce NOW can be tested by Windows and Mac users right now, with support for the largest gaming platforms, including Steam and, starting today, Ubisoft’s uPlay PC.
The announcement was made today at CES 2018, with NVIDIA officials explaining that users in North America and Europe are part of the free public beta program, with local versions for France and Germany.
Fast Internet connection required
The GeForce Now game streaming service was originally announced in January 2017 and relies on servers located in North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific using top hardware, including GeForce GTX graphics cards that enable gaming at the highest settings. Since it uses cloud power to deliver uncompromising gaming, NVIDIA requires fast Internet connections, with 50 Megabits per second recommended for 1080p 60 FPS quality.
Updated pricing for Windows and Mac hasn’t been announced just yet, but GeForce NOW for SHIELD currently costs $7.99 per month, so a similar fee is likely as well. Back in January 2017 when it first announced the service, NVIDIA charged $25 for 20 hours of play on a system powered by a GTX 1060 graphic adapter or 10 hours of play on a GTX 1080.
The list of supported games includes top titles like PLAYERUNKNOWN'S BATTLEGROUNDS, Diablo III, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition, Total War: WARHAMMER II, and Mafia III. You can find the full list here.
Access to the public beta is offered per a registration basis, and you can subscribe to the program here, with NVIDIA to then email you the necessary information to download the client when it becomes available for you.
