Skip to main content

Amazon Luna launches 720p option to tackle high data demands

Amazon Luna is introducing a new 720p option for users. The new feature will allow players with limited connection speeds to more easily stream games.

Luna is Amazon’s cloud game streaming service, similar to Google Stadia. The service quietly entered early access last October and has been collecting user feedback since. The Luna team says that a 720p option was a heavily requested fan feature.

Related Videos

“Since Luna launched into early access, we’ve regularly heard from customers on what they’re enjoying as well as areas where we can improve their experience,” says Luna. “One of the most requested features is the ability to play at lower resolutions to match unique internet connection speeds and bandwidth demands.”

The update allows players to drop their game resolution down, which would require less bandwidth and data. Luna specifically noted that the update is meant to help users with data cap limitations.

The option is currently available in the Settings tab in Luna. Subscribers can select 720p. Luna estimates that the resolution will consume 5GB/hour. By comparison, the 1080p tier uses 10GB of data an hour, while 4K demands 23GB/hour.

The pivot highlights one of the largest problems that cloud services still face. Streaming video games at high quality consistently requires a fairly fast internet connection. Many parts of the country don’t have access to the kind of internet needed to play a game from the cloud at 1080p, let along 4K. The resolution drop is a new step in addressing that obstacle.

Luna says it will continue taking user feedback and making changes to the service during its early access period.

Editors' Recommendations

New Netflix game Lucky Luna is Pac-Man meets Wario Land
Lucky Luna's key artwork featuring Luna standing among a ruinous land and in front of a castle.

Have you ever played a new game that feels entirely fresh while simultaneously hitting a nostalgic nerve? A new game that just released but unlocks some memories of old titles you haven't played in years?

Lucky Luna | Official Game Trailer | Netflix

Read more
Rumors of Amazon acquiring Electronic Arts cause confusion
Battlefield 2042 art

Consolidation surrounding the video game industry has been happening more frequently, and the latest rumor involves Amazon and Electronic Arts. GLHF and USA Today reported that Amazon would announce a formal offer to acquire Electronic Arts later today. However, CNBC refuted those rumors stating that it would not be happening. It's a confusing scenario, but it appears that EA and Amazon will stay as separate entities for now.

"I have talked to some people who would actually know if there was something going on, and they say, there's nothing going on," said CNBC's David Faber to Joe Kernan. "These are people who would be involved, who in fact, were involved when our parent company, Joe, was talking to Electronic Arts."

Read more
Dead Island 2 supports experimental Amazon Alexa voice controls
A screamer yells on a beach in Dead Island 2.

Dead Island 2 was the final announcement of Gamescom Opening Night Live, and it made a solid first impression with its cinematic and gameplay reveal that highlighted a zombified Los Angeles. But did you know Dead Island 2 also features Amazon Alexa voice controls?
Shortly after Dead Island 2's announcement, Amazon unveiled Alexa Game Control via a developer blog. With Alexa Game Control, players can say specific phrases to trigger in-game interactions. Supported phrases for Dead Island 2 span weapon swapping ("Swap to my best weapon."), navigating ("Where is the nearest workbench?"), and gaining the attention of enemies ("Hey, zombie!"). Alexa Game Control will work for North American players who speak English when it launches alongside Dead Island 2. 

Interestingly, Alexa Game Control won't require players to own an Echo device or say "Hey, Alexa" beforehand. Players can just say these phrases right into the headset they are using to play the game. Two caveats exist: The Verge confirmed that players will have to be connected to the internet, and Alexa Game Control's website says that players will have to connect their Amazon account to the game they're playing first. Dead Island 2 is the only game to support the technology, but Amazon has a form for interested developers to fill out. 
I can't help but think back to the Kinect days and how developers poorly added voice functionality to games like The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. I then recalled my playthrough of Ryse: Son of Rome a couple of years back, where the Kinect voice-driven sections stood out like a sore thumb and could be circumvented with a button press. Voice-driven video game controls haven't worked out thus far, but Alexa Game Control is attempting to bring it back into fashion. I'm curious to see whether it will enhance Dead Island 2 or add nothing substantial to the experience.
We'll be able to see if Alexa Game Control lives up to its promises soon, as Dead Island 2 will be released for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S on February 3, 2023.

Read more