Black Friday 2019: This Google Stadia Alternative Is Getting A Big Discount

In the midst of Google Stadia‘s launch window, another cloud-based game streaming service is dropping its price for Black Friday 2019. The service is called Shadow, and it’s been around for a while. Shadow requires you to pay a subscription to access its data centers, which grant you your own virtual Windows 10 PC with high-end specs–you’re essentially renting a gaming PC and then streaming it to your device. While a year-long subscription comes out to $25 per month, Shadow’s price will drop down to $13 a month (one-year commitment) for Black Friday.

Since you’re accessing a remote, high-end desktop PC, you’ll be able to sign in to your own digital store accounts. Be it Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG, or anywhere else, you’ll have access to their storefronts and your library. Google Stadia is a closed platform with its own store and titles, so you won’t be able to play any of the games you already own. However, Stadia doesn’t require a subscription if you’re okay with streaming your games in 1080p with stereo sound. An optional Stadia Pro membership is available for $10 a month and gets you 4K streaming, surround sound, free games, and special discounts.

Shadow lets you stream a gaming PC to any compatible device with a decent internet connection.

Shadow streaming service | $13 per month

You’ll also have access to the internet speeds of Shadow’s data centers to download content and game online, which is rated at about 800 Mbps down with 1ms latency–remember, you’re only using your internet connection to view your remote PC. Currently, Shadow’s specs are made up of the following:

• OS: Windows 10 Home Edition
• CPU: Intel Xeon E5-2678 v3 @ 2.5GHz
• GPU: Nvidia Quadro P5000
• Memory: 12 GB
• Storage: 256 GB QEMU Drive

With Shadow, you’ll be streaming a video feed of your virtual desktop, and like Stadia, data consumption and internet speed will be part of the equation. Shadow’s app is compatible with any Windows 7 / 8.1 / 10 or MacOS computer and certain Android and iOS versions (controlling Shadow between different platforms will vary).

The app lets you set your bit rate between 5 Mbps to 70 Mbps at 5 Mbps intervals, giving you some control over image quality and data usage. It’s recommended you have at least 15 Mbps down and connect via wired Ethernet or 5GHz Wi-Fi; Shadow consumes between 5 Mbps to 25 Mbps depending on settings and conditions.

Like many other cloud-based game streaming services, Shadow has its ups and downs–we reviewed the service and its separate set-top box earlier this year, so be sure to check out our Shadow Ghost and Shadow cloud gaming service review. For more on Black Friday 2019 sales this year, check out some the early and upcoming deals you can take advantage of.

from GameSpot – Game News https://www.gamespot.com/articles/black-friday-2019-this-google-stadia-alternative-i/1100-6471571/