Yup you read that right! Even if you have an old PC/laptop or those that doesn't have a gaming specs, in the near future you can play all the good games on it. You can transformed those PC and laptop into a gaming machine, literally. Nope you don't have to buy those expensive external GPU case for it or modified your PC/laptop but you just need to stream it online using an application.
That application is call Nvidia GeForce Now, developed by Nvidia, obviously. How this thing works? It's basically provide cloud-based GPUs system. Originally this application was introduced for Macs but now Nvidia is bringing it to Windows users. It is still in beta as of now and you still can't download or use it yet. All you can do now is request for beta access to it. Even so, you will be put in the waiting list and you will not get it instantly. I've registered and still haven't getting the access yet.
Image source: https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/geforce/products/geforce-now/mac-pc/
The application is based inside the network of servers by Nvidia. You can only play those games that are supported and are available in the application's library. One good thing is that you don't have to install those games locally inside your PC. The servers for this application will be using GeForce GTX graphics cards and you will be able to stream games at up to 1080p resolution at 60 frames per second.
But there is one vital requirement that Nvidia recommended, you need to have at least 50 Mbps internet connection especially for the 1080/60p streaming, although it was also mentioned that it can also support streaming the games at 720p/60p for 25 Mbps connections and 720/30p frames per second for connections less than that. But it might not be worth it if your connections is below 25 Mbps because it might need to stream a lot of data since there might be no files of those games installed locally in your PC/laptop.
Image source: https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/geforce/products/geforce-now/mac-pc/
Eventhough it require less or no gaming specs from your PC, there are still some requirements to run the application. Your machine should at least have Intel i3 with 3.1GHz or faster CPU, 4GB of system memory and GPU that at least supports DirectX 9 such as the NVIDIA GeForce 600 series or newer, AMD Radeon HD 3000 series or newer or the Intel HD graphics 2000 series or newer. You also need to have at least Windows 7, wired ethernet connection or 5 GHz wireless router. Those requirements is not as demanding as the gaming specs but I want to probably suggest that you also need a good monitor.
This application will benefit mostly Mac users as you already know that Mac is not mainly made for gaming even if it comes with a little bit of gaming specs. I've used Macbook before and tried to play some games on it and it was such a pain in the bottom.
For now we need to wait until this application made available to the masses. If you managed to get the beta access then you're lucky enough to try it first hand.
As for the games, like I mentioned above, you will only be able to play those that are supported and included inside the game list in this application. As of now there are many games in that list and probably most of your favorite ones are already available there.
Image source: https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/geforce/products/geforce-now/mac-pc/
At one point many years ago, I actually imagined about this kind of systems, something like a cloud gaming or some sort. And now, not long more, it will become a reality. I foresee good things coming from this, with one major advantage is that you don't have to burn a hole in your wallet to buy gaming laptop although there might some some pricing or subscription plans made available to use this application, I guess. I mean, they won't be that generous to offer it for free, right?
I will do another post on this if I managed to get the beta access to it and will share my experience with it. Crossing fingers I will get it soon because for me personally this is a very interesting concept. Just hoping that, once it is available, the delivery of this service will be smooth.
This is a very good development in gaming, probably the best so far especially in the current world today where a lot of things are cloud-based. It will surely extend the gaming capability to many more people especially those who doesn't like those big, bulky and expensive gaming laptop.
I'm actually very excited about this!
Image source: https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/geforce/products/geforce-now/mac-pc/