Amazon Web Services (AWS), an Amazon.com, Inc. company (NASDAQ: AMZN), has launched Amazon GameLift Streams, a fully managed service that enables game developers to deliver high-fidelity, low-latency gaming experiences to players on virtually any device with a browser. With this new capability, developers no longer need to spend time and resources modifying their games for streaming or building their own streaming infrastructure. Players can start gaming in seconds rather than waiting for streams or downloads, making the experience faster and more accessible. Amazon GameLift Streams is a new feature of Amazon GameLift, an AWS service that empowers developers to create and deliver the world’s most demanding games.
Amazon GameLift Streams allows developers to upload their game content to fully-managed GPU instances in the cloud and begin streaming in minutes, with little to no modification to their code. Game developers can stream AAA, AA, and Indie games to players on PCs, smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, or any device that supports a WebRTC-enabled browser. Running on AWS’s global cloud network, GameLift Streams can deliver gameplay at 1080p and 60 frames per second, just seconds after starting a stream. The service offers developers flexible streaming infrastructure options for optimal price performance, with the ability to stream from six AWS regions to provide low-latency gameplay worldwide. Developers can scale their streaming capacity up or down according to player demand, ensuring they only reserve and pay for the resources they need.
Amazon GameLift Streams simplifies the game streaming process, allowing developers to launch streaming capabilities without needing to invest millions in infrastructure and software development. Developers can upload games built with any 3D engine to AWS and provision streaming capacity in specific AWS regions. They can integrate the service with their existing identity services, storefronts, game loaders, websites, or create new experiences like playable demos. Through the AWS console, developers can monitor active streams and usage, and seamlessly scale their infrastructure across AWS’s global network to reach more players. With Amazon GameLift Streams, game developers can also take advantage of on-demand scaling, select GPU instances based on price performance, and benefit from AWS’s built-in security to protect their intellectual property.
The service supports Windows, Linux, and Proton runtimes, allowing developers to stream their games without the need to rebuild game code, a common requirement for other streaming providers. Amazon GameLift Streams is compatible with popular web browsers, including Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, and Safari, ensuring seamless gameplay on the latest devices used by players.
AWS is already working with several companies, including Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc., Jackbox Games, Ludeo, and Xsolla, who are leveraging GameLift Streams for various game streaming and distribution efforts. Jackbox Games, known for its popular party games, is using GameLift Streams to deliver its games to a broader audience through smart TVs and web browsers, opening up new monetization opportunities. Xsolla, a global video game commerce company, integrates GameLift Streams into its cloud gaming solution, providing game developers with a scalable, seamless platform for delivering high-quality gaming experiences directly to browsers. Ludeo is using the service to offer playable game demos across multiple platforms, significantly boosting engagement rates.
Game developers can also accelerate their testing cycles with Amazon GameLift Streams by distributing game builds more quickly to internal testers and loyal players without the risk of losing control of their game code. This approach reduces time and costs associated with testing, while ensuring the protection of intellectual property, as game builds are not installed locally.
In addition to enhancing testing and distribution, Amazon GameLift Streams enables game companies to extend their brand by streaming immersive virtual worlds and interactive experiences. Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc. is using GameLift Streams to stream a metaverse platform for its Gundam franchise, offering interactive experiences and live events to fans directly from their PCs. By eliminating the need for high-end gaming hardware, players can explore virtual environments and engage with other community members on standard devices.
Amazon GameLift Streams is a powerful addition to the Amazon GameLift service, which already supports some of the world’s largest gaming companies, including Ubisoft, Zynga, and WB Games. With the ability to support up to 100 million concurrent users, GameLift continues to be a leader in helping developers create scalable and reliable gaming experiences, while Amazon GameLift Streams takes it further by making game streaming accessible and efficient for developers and players alike.