Which video game subscription to choose in 2019? As cloud gaming becomes more and more popular, and platforms now offer almost limitless access to catalogs, with a simple monthly fee, the offer seems more and more complex to understand. Google Stadia vs Xbox Game Pass vs PlayStation now? we compare the best video games and cloud gaming subscriptions.
Stadia, Uplay +, Apple Arcade … For the past few months, cloud gaming services have been trying to revolutionize our approach to video games, offering users the ability to play ever-larger game catalogs and more and more media. diversified. At the time of dematerialization and the cloud gaming, one makes the point on the various on-demand gaming offers proposed or in the process of being made by the main actors of the videogame sector.
Playstation Now
With more than 700 games available in unlimited (including 250 PS4), the Playstation Now of Sony is without a doubt part of the most comprehensive services in the cloud gaming market. For € 9.99 per month or € 59.99 per year, the platform offers subscribers the ability to play an unlimited number of PS2, PS3 and PS4 games from a PS4 console or a Windows PC. No need to download titles, these are available directly in 720p streaming. Note that PS4 games can also be downloaded to play on the console in the native and off-line definition.
On the catalog side, Playstation Now should satisfy many seasoned gamers, with several cult licenses (Red Dead Redemption, Borderlands, GTA …) from the last three generations of home consoles manufactured by the manufacturer. We regret the almost systematic absence of day-1 titles, including Sony exclusives. In terms of connection required, the Japanese manufacturer recommends on its website a rate of 40 Mbit/s.
- € 9.99 / month or 59.99 / year
- Available on PS4 and PC
- More than 700 games (PS2, PS3, PS4) including 250 PS4
- Playable in 720p streaming, PS4 games available for download and native quality
- Lots of AAA, but not / little day-1 access
Xbox Game Pass
Accessible for a few years, the Xbox Game Pass service allows holders of a Microsoft account to have access to a catalog of more than 200 titles, ranging from triple-A to more modest independent games. Available in two separate packages at 9.99 € / month on PC or console, the Xbox Game Pass also offers an Ultimate version at 12.99 € / month to enjoy the games on both computers and Xbox One.
Even though the Xbox Game Pass catalog may seem more modest than that of its main competitor PlayStation Now, we still find major headlines in recent years, including several exclusives available day-1, such as Forza Horizon 4 or Gears 5. Other publishers are also present in the catalog like Square Enix with its license Tomb Raider or Just Cause. Xbox fans will enjoy finding some not-so-old titles that have made the Microsoft console such as Sea of Thieves, Jump Force or Rocket League . Note that it is not possible to play directly in streaming and that a download is required for each game.
- 9,99 € / month (console or PC), 12,99 € / month for Ultimate PC + console
- More than 200 games
- Available on PC and/or Xbox One
- Large catalog, many excluded day-1
Google Stadia
Presented as the future of cloud gaming when it was formalized last March, Google Stadia promises to bring the Mountain View company into the video game industry with a particularly promising service. On Stadia, no predefined catalog like on Playstation Now, the games will be available for the purchase unit directly from the catalog of the service. Headlines are expected day-1, such as the highly anticipated Cyberpunk 2077, but partnerships with other cloud gaming platforms are also expected, as recently announced Ubisoft with Uplay +.
Ideal for budding streamers, Google Stadia has already announced a minimum speed of 10 Mbit / s to be able to run properly the various games offered in 720p. If the service promises to be free in FHD, Stadia will also be offered in a premium version and therefore pay at € 9.99 per month. At this price, it will be possible to enjoy titles in 4K resolution and 60 fps, for a minimum bit rate of 30 Mbit / s. The icing on the cake, Stadia should also allow passing almost instantly from one screen to another, even during the game.
- Free in FHD, 9,99 € / month in 4K
- Purchase individual games from the Stadia catalog
- Available on any Android compatible screen
Apple Arcade
In cloud gaming services, Apple has the distinction of positioning itself only on its home ecosystem (iPhone, iPad, Apple TV and Mac), but also to offer a catalog of games announced as 100% new and exclusive on mobile. Accessible for a few days, the platform offers hundreds of titles available for download only, with a single subscription of € 4.99 per month (with a free trial month). At this price promises the brand to the apple, it is possible to play offline, and enjoy several cult licenses like Pac-man, Lego and Sonic (more than one hundred titles are expected this fall) .
Regarding the gameplay, it will be possible to play without a joystick in touch mode, but also to connect a Bluetooth controller (PS4 or Xbox) for more comfort. Great news for Apple, which often suffers from the lack of gaming offer on its devices in comparison with Android. Even if the service is not a sufficient argument to abandon the interface of Google for the benefit of iOS, Arcade should still make some happy among the followers of the brand to the apple.
- 4,99 € / month
- More than 100 new and excluded mobile games expected
- Download required (no streaming)
- Available on Mac, iPad, iPhone and Apple TV
| Playstation Now | Xbox Game Pass | Google Stadia | Apple Arcade | |
| Availablity | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Price | ||||
| Platforms | – Windows PC- PS4 | – PC- Xbox One | – Any compatible Chrome device (smartphone, computer, tablet …) | – iPhone-iPad- Apple TV- Mac |
| Games | – God of War- Fallout 4- Until Dawn- Red Dead Redemption- GTA V | – The Division- Just Cause 4- Halo: Masterchief Collection- Sea of Thieves- Gears 5- Wolfenstein II | – Cyberpunk 2077- Mortal Kombat 11- Destiny 2- DOOM- TESO- Football Manager 2020- Final Fantasy XV | – Beyond a Steel Sky- Lego Brawls- Rayman Mini- Royal Party Pac-man- Sonic Racing |
| Internet Speed | – Minimum 5 Mbit / s- 40 Mbit / s recommended- Playable offline for some PS4 titles | No streaming, download required | – Minimum 10 Mbit / s- 30 Mbit / s for 4K to 60 fps | – Playable offline |
