Just today, Nvidia has unveiled a brand new new cloud-based streaming service known as “Grid.”
In short, Nvidia Grid allows users of Nvidia’s Shield line of products (i.e. Shield, Shield Tablet) to stream various, select PC games from Nvidia’s launch catalog. Grid is expected to arrive in Europe sometime in in December, with Asia next year.
Nvidia has reportedly carefully selected its launch library of games in order to offer a little something for everyone. The company has partnered with various publishers such as Warner Brothers Interactive, as such, popular titles like Batman: Arkham Asylum and Batman: Arkham City, as well as Dead Island, Borderlands, Borderlands 2, and Psychonauts will be available day-one.
Grid is slated for launch on Tuesday in North America alongside Nvidia’s Shield Tablet update.
Read more details and see what Nvidia had to say about Grid after the break.
Nvidia Grid Unveiled
Phil Eisler, general manager of Nvidia Grid Gaming, stated the following:
“When you download the new Shield Hub update there will be a new tab there called Grid Games. In addition to playing your Android games, and any local GeForce games, you’ll be able to connect to our cloud servers and stream a library of games that we have there.
“We’re going to start with 20 AAA PC games and we’re going to be adding games every month. The goal is to get to over 100 next year.”
As for the pricing of Nvidia’s new cloud streaming service, owners of Shield products will be able to access free preview of Grid until June 30, 2015. After that period of time, Nvidia has said they will re-evaluate, and most likely move toward a subscription-based pricing model…like Netflix, but for PC games.
“We’re thinking probably along the Netflix line with sort of an affordable subscription fee for a bundle of games, but probably Netflix Plus, because people also want to play brand new content so you’ll be able to top up with new titles that have just been launched.”
For those who own various GeForce GTX graphics cards, Nvidia has also discussed the possibility of extending Grid to Nvidia GPU owners sometime in the future, however their current focus is on the Shield family of products.
In closing, Eisler said:
“It’s a big day for Nvidia, kind of a new chapter for us in bringing a cloud gaming service directly to gamers around the world. It just reinforces that Shield is the best tablet for gamers now that you’re going to get the local bundle, the Green Box bundle, plus another 20 games from the cloud that you can stream to your Shield Tablet.”
What are your thoughts on Nvidia’s Grid? If you own any Shield products, what are your thoughts of the service and will you be using it? If you don’t own a Shield product, but have an Nvidia GPU in your PC, are you hoping they will extend the service to you? Why or why not?
Let us know in the comments section below! As always, stay tuned to GamerHeadlines.com for the latest in video game and technology news.