Amazon Luna Price, Release Date, Specs, Games, News, and Rumors

Amazon Luna is a cloud-based gaming service that's similar to Google Stadia, but you pay a monthly fee to access a large library of games instead of needing to purchase individual games. You can play on your Windows PC, Mac, or Fire TV, and also play on iPhones and iPads using the Safari browser.

How Does Amazon Luna Work?

Luna is a cloud-based gaming service, which means that it runs games on Amazon's cloud architecture and streams the video and audio to your local device. Your controller sends inputs to the cloud over the internet, which allows you to control the game remotely.

To use Luna, you need a compatible device, like a computer or phone, and a high speed internet connection. There is no Luna console to speak of, but you can use the service through Fire TV if you want to stick to Amazon hardware.

Luna is a subscription service, so you have to pay a monthly fee to use it. It's a lot like a Netflix for games, in that you pay a subscription fee to stream a library of games instead of purchasing individual games.

Since Luna is cloud-based, you can freely switch between playing on your phone, computer, Fire TV, and other devices without losing progress. Your game progress is saved in the cloud, and you can even switch devices in real time while playing if, for example, someone needs the TV and you have to transition to playing on your phone.

When Will Amazon Luna Be Released?

There haven't been any hints regarding the official release date of Luna, although it's likely the service won't see wide release until some time in 2021. Early access is open right now though, with access to what is essentially a beta being granted on a rolling basis.

Amazon Luna Pricing

The Amazon Luna service will set you back $5.99 per month, as an ongoing subscription. Since it's a cloud gaming service rather than a console, there is no associated hardware cost. You use it through your existing computer, phone, or other compatible device.

In addition to the basic subscription price, you can expect a number of add-ons that bring in additional games for an additional monthly fee. An Ubisoft add-on has been confirmed officially, but rumors say there will be a number of other options available as well.

Where to Pre-Order Amazon Luna

Amazon Luna isn't available for pre-orders or subscriptions, but you can sign up for early access directly through Amazon. Early access to the service is granted in batches over time, so you may get in right away, or you may have to wait a while.

• Request Luna early access on Amazon.com

While Luna will support a variety of controllers, including Xbox One and PS4 controllers, Amazon will also offer a controller that is specifically designed for the Luna service.

The Luna controller features an ergonomic design similar to Xbox One and Switch controllers, and it is currently only available to early access Luna subscribers. You can request early access here. Early access subscribers can purchase the controller for $49.99, and it will be available for $$69.99 to the general public once Luna officially launches.

The Latest News About Amazon Luna

You can get more gaming news from Lifewire on all kinds of topics including Amazon's plans for other products. Here are some of the latest stories involving Amazon.

Amazon Luna Features

In addition to the basic ability to play games from the cloud in a Netflix-like environment, Amazon Luna is expected to support features like these:

• 4K UHD gaming
• HDR TV
• Stream to two devices at once
• Seamlessly transition between devices
• Online multiplayer
• Local co-op (up to four controllers)

Amazon Luna Compatible Hardware

Amazon Luna is a cloud-based gaming service, so it works with a wide variety of hardware and doesn't have the sort of strict specification requirements that you may be used to seeing from PC games. It's designed to work on virtually any hardware that's capable of streaming video, although there will be a few basic requirements in place at launch.

Here's what you need if you want to play through the Luna app during early access or at launch:

• PC (requires Windows 10 with support for DirectX 11)
• Mac (OSX 10.13+)
• FireTV devices (Fire TV Stick 2nd gen, Fire TV Stick 4K, or Fire TV Cube 2nd gen)

Additionally, you can play Luna through these web browsers:

• Chrome web browser (version 83+) for PC and Mac
• Safari web browser (iOS14) for iPhone and iPad

Android phones, tablets, and other devices aren't supported during early access and aren't expected to work at launch either. However, rumors say that you will eventually be able to use Luna with most Android phones and a variety of other devices.

Amazon Luna Games

During early access, Luna features about 100 games. You'll find games from most of your favorite developers and publishers, along with games from Amazon's own game studios. Most of these games run in 1080p at 60FPS, while some run in full 4K UHD.

Some of the games you can play on Luna include:

• Control
• Ryme
• ABZU
• Bloodstained
• Lumines
• WonderBoy
• Two Point Hospital
• Sonic Mania Plus
• Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair
• Resident Evil 7
• The Surge 2
• Iconoclasts
• Grid

Get a look at some Amazon Luna games in action.

What Is the Ubisoft Channel?

Luna will function as a basic service that offers a bunch of games that you can play for free as long as you remain subscribed, but it will also have add-on channels that bring in new content. This will work a lot like Amazon Prime Video, which provides a bunch of free movies and TV shows, along with the option to add premium channels like HBO and Showtime.

The Ubisoft channel is the first premium Luna channel, and it adds a bunch of old favorites along with day-and-date access to brand new Ubisoft titles. Some Ubisoft titles that are expected to be available on launch day include:

• Assassin's Creed: Valhalla
• Immortals Fenyx Rising
• Far Cry 6

If you're a fan of Ubisoft games and want to play new titles the moment they become available, then the Ubisoft channel is a great way to access the games you're interested in. If you aren't, then you can safely ignore this add-on and just use the basic Luna service.

The Amazon Luna Controller

If you're a fan of the Nintendo Switch Pro controller or the Xbox One and controller, you'll find a lot to like in the Luna controller. It shares the same basic form factor of those controllers and the same layout, with staggered analog sticks, a d-pad, four face buttons, two triggers, and two shoulder buttons. The grips are slightly textured for comfort during long gaming sessions, and it actually has Alexa functionality built right in.

In addition to Alexa, this controller also has one other secret hidden under the hood. Instead of connecting to your device and routing through that to the cloud servers, it connects directly through the internet to the cloud servers. This is the same way that the Google Stadia controller works, and it helps reduce latency a bit.

The inclusion of the low-latency Cloud Direct feature is the main reason to buy a Luna controller if you already have a Bluetooth-compatible Xbox One, Switch, or PS4 controller. While you can use any Bluetooth-enabled controller with Luna, they will all create a bit of extra lag due to the fact that they need to transmit your inputs via Bluetooth before your computer, tablet, phone, or Fire TV can transmit those inputs to the cloud.

Amazon Luna Twitch Integration

Since Amazon owns Twitch, it should come as no surprise that Luna has built-in Twitch integration. During early access, and at launch, you will be able to watch Twitch streams directly through Luna. If you see something you like and want to play instead, you can then go directly from watching the stream of a game to playing that game, as long as it's available on the service.

That's the extent of what we know about the integration so far, but it's possible that they could roll out the ability to stream Luna games and other exciting features in the future.