In recent years, new technologies have entered the scene that allow you to play any game you want, regardless of the specifications of your PC or other devices. Sounds too good to be true? This is actually a very simple concept, but until recently the required technology did not support it.
Cloud gaming is a relatively new service that fixes a problem that any gamer has faced: there are games you really want to play, but the cost of a high-performance PC and the required components makes them out of your reach. In contrast, the only requirement of cloud gaming is video streaming capability.
Whether or not this is an efficient way to play games is a controversial topic in the gaming community due to the latency issues many face when using most cloud gaming services already available. However, Shadow’s cloud gaming service reportedly cuts down on these latency issues and offers a powerful game streaming service.
What is Cloud Gaming?
Unfortunately, the cost of building a high-performance PC required to play some games can be incredibly high. This is the problem that cloud gaming solves. Rather than owning a powerful machine yourself, cloud gaming companies offer a remote, accessible via servers in the cloud.
You pay a monthly fee for this service, and most companies either have a library of games or you buy the games yourself. Playing games is more like a streaming service than anything else. You choose the game you want to play and then it runs on that machine. At home, you can play the game from any device, including laptops, TVs, and smartphones.
When you enter controls for a game on your device, that input is sent to the server, which then tells the PC there that it was clicked and copies it. The game is streamed via video, so you can follow the action.
Some have argued that this method leads to slow response times and delays in the game because the input data is sent over such a huge distance. Others praise cloud gaming for their ability to provide a robust gaming experience for those who may not have other options to play.
What Shadow Cloud Gaming offers
There are many cloud gaming services out there, but what makes Shadow cloud gaming different? Basically, the point is, it’s not just for streaming games.
In fact, Shadow is a fully functional Windows 10 PC, but optimized for gaming. Thanks to this, you can do everything that you would normally do on a computer. This makes Shadow not only a cloud gaming service, but more of a cloud computing service.
You can use it on almost any device, including computers and laptops, Android or iOS smartphones, and an Android TV or Apple TV. There is also the option to buy what is called the Shadow Ghost, a small device that allows you to connect to the Shadow from whatever screen you prefer to use. It launches Wi-Fi and Bluetooth using only what is required to log in and stream from your Shadow machine.
Shadow is more expensive than its competitors, with its basic package at $ 14.99 / mo. You also need to individually purchase the games you want to play So is it worth it? With full capabilities not only for gaming but also for computing, Shadow definitely stands out and has much more to offer than just game streaming.
The Shadow machine boasts specifications and equipment that are always up to date, and if something seems wrong and performance drops, they automatically replace components. You also have 256GB of storage in the base package, which can be expanded in increments of the same amount, and you can have up to 2TB of storage.
This is definitely a must, as the library of games you can play in Shadow is almost limitless, with the exception of console exclusive games. Aside from the gameplay, it also allows you to run any program available on a regular Windows 10 PC. Hypothetically, it could even be used for photo or video editing.
How to use Shadow Cloud Gaming
Since Shadow distributes its data centers across the US and UK based on the concentration of its user base, there are two options for how Shadow might be available in your region (Shadow is currently not supported outside of those two countries).
There is a Live mode, which offers the best experience, and an Exploration mode, which means the Shadow may not be as effective in your area. However, the more users subscribe to Shadow in your state, the more likely it will be a datacenter in the future.
Once you determine if your fortune is fully supported, you can choose from three levels for your shadow membership. The only tier available for use right now is the Boost tier, and after registering, you will have to wait a little while your Shadow cloud slot is activated.
The other two levels, Ultra and Infinite, provide better computing performance and more storage space from the outset. However, these levels won’t be available until 2021 as they are still being customized across the country. However, you can still sign up for a waiting list to access these levels as soon as they appear.
After you sign up with Shadow, they will send you an email as soon as your car is activated. From here, you can run it on any supported device.
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