Amazon Luna Launches In The US, Adds Free Games For Prime Members And Twitch Integration

The cloud-based streaming service Amazon Luna has officially launched in the US as of March 1st. Luna had previously been available to a limited number of customers since Fall 2020 through an invite-only “early access” program. But, with this recent launch, it’s finally open to anyone in the United States, including a variety of new features, like free games for Amazon Prime members.  

Alongside the broader launch, Amazon also announced three additional “channels” that customers will be able to access. The most notable is the Prime Gaming Channel, which will offer Prime members a selection of free games to play on Luna that differ each month. To start things off in March, Prime members will get access to Devil May Cry 5, Observer, System Redux, PHOGS!, and Flashback. Additionally, Immortals Fenyx Rising will also be available to play for free but only from March 8th through March 14th.

Also launching on Luna is the “Retro Channel,” which will include classic games like Street Fighter II—Hyper Fighting, Metal Slug 3, and Castlevania Anniversary Collection, as well as the “Jackbox Games Channel,” which includes all eight Jackbox Party Pack titles. Moreover, Amazon is using the Jackbox Games Channel to debut a new “Luna Couch” feature that lets others join you in playing even if they don’t subscribe to the Luna themselves. Both the Retro Channel and Jackbox Games Channel will cost $4.99 per month.

Luna works differently from other cloud services, like Google Stadia, where players can purchase games like they would for any other non-streaming-based platform. Instead, players subscribe on a monthly basis to individual channels, which come with their own bundles of games. Currently, Amazon offers the primary Luna Plus channel ($5.99 per month), the Ubisoft Plus channel ($17.99 per month), and the Family Channel ($2.99), along with the new additions mentioned above.

Lastly, Amazon is using the official Luna launch to debut a few new features for the platform. The company is leveraging its ownership of Twitch to add native support for one-click broadcasting — simply press a button on Luna, and you’ll instantly be able to stream your game live, complete with a camera feed overlay. There’s even a QR code system for users playing on Fire TV to link their phone to use as a webcam.

(All information was provided by The Verge)