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Showing posts with label Amazon Luna. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Amazon Luna. Show all posts

Amazon Luna Drops the Add-Ons — Is This A Power Move?

Amazon isn’t easing into anything with Amazon Luna—they’re making a clean break. And the add-on experiment? It’s already being shut down, and by June... it’s gone for good. Not “phasing out slowly,” not “we’ll see how it goes.” It will be... gone (poof). This won't put a smile on everyone's face, because there will be options taken away that they once had for streaming fun... but that doesn't mean more won't come to the Luna service.

April 10, 2026 is when Amazon stopped offering add-on subscriptions, individual purchases, and outside library connections. That was the first signal that the direction had changed. 

June 3, 2026 is when the “Bring Your Own Library” feature gets cut off completely. 

And June 10, 2026? That’s the final line. Everything tied to that old system is removed. After that, Luna stands on its own—no channels, no stacking subscriptions, no patchwork experience. It's cleaner and more streamlined.

I shrug (when it comes to myself) because I have access to my games elsewhere, but... it does suck for those who don't have access to a PC or console at this time. It doesn't axe your library though, so take solace in that, and consider it more so a cool favor Amazon did for awhile.

 Why the change now? 

Well... I see Amazon simply wanting to be more competitive in my opinion. I just don't think they wanted to keep dancing around with add-ons like it’s trying to be everybody else’s platform at the same time. At some point, you stop hosting and start building. This move is Amazon likely planting its feet and saying Luna is the platform—not the middleman to get to our customers in a way we no longer accept.

That matters more than some people think.

For a while, Luna’s “channel” approach—bringing in companies like Ubisoft as add-ons—felt flexible on paper, but in practice it was messy. You weren’t just subscribing to Luna, you were managing a stack of mini-subscriptions inside of it. Confusion can kill momentum.

So Amazon cutting that off... seems to be an attempt to focus on making Luna stronger. I enjoyed having the access, but in my opinion, Amazon wants Luna to be utilized by gamers... without it being exploited by third party companies (I'm going to leave that there).

And here’s where I'm really looking at this differently than the usual surface-level takes... because this shift may come with greater efforts that revolve around Luna. That would benefit the gamers who don’t have the luxury of dropping hundreds on a console, thousands on a PC, and those who have the other options but love having access to games anywhere without paying additional to get past another pay gate to play multiplayer games online.

Because Luna’s real strength hasn’t changed:

You don’t need expensive hardware.
You don’t need upgrades.
You don’t need to keep up with specs.

You just play... and it's another free option to enjoy for Prime members (with only $9.99/monthly for the premium option). I've already covered the options for both the standard and premium, they're both good and when you compare premium to Xbox Game Pass at that price point... there is no comparison. Luna wins. We're all about saving more to be able to fun it up without breaking the bank, so this is going to be the route suggested... but for those who want access to Game Pass, you can do that too (for now). I don't know if Xbox Game Pass will continue to be an available platform through Fire TV if Amazon is making this move for the betterment of Luna. Will the Fire TV Stick be big enough for both platforms in the eyes of Amazon? Only time will tell.

Either way, Luna is still in place and people are still able to game without being priced out of it. While everybody else is arguing about teraflops, GPUs, and storage space, Luna is quietly saying, “If you’ve got a screen and a connection, you’re in.” That’s why this platform still matters—and why we present it as an option. Not the only option, not the perfect option—but a good one (via solid internet connection).

And Amazon has already shown flashes of what that looks like when it works. Fortnite pulled massive attention into cloud gaming on Luna... and is easily one of the platform's top go-to titles. Trackmania proved that even fast, competitive experiences can hold up through streaming and is also a pretty big draw on the platform (I'm there and stand talk in the rankings for Florida). And those casual Game Night experiences? That’s Amazon tapping into the crowd that just wants to jump in and have fun without a barrier... simply using their phone.

That’s not random. They have groundwork laid out here and it already has momentum, so to propel forward it made more and more sense why they cut anything potentially seen as deadweight.

 Will we see Luna exclusives?  

That’s where this could really shift. Because Prime isn’t just a perk—it’s a pipeline. Millions of people already paying for a service that could easily double as their gateway into gaming... plus exclusives? That sweetens the pot without worrying about buying titles. You may want to own a title (I get that) but the immediate access could make the player base explode in a good way.

If Amazon locks in on that—continuing to rotate games (for the free options), seamless access, and exclusives—then Luna stops being “that extra thing” and starts becoming part of everyday entertainment.

That’s the opportunity sitting right in front of them.

So yeah, the add-ons are leaving. Officially. Completely. By June 10... it’s a wrap!

But this isn’t Amazon shrinking Luna (from what it feels like)—it’s Amazon tightening it up.

No more dancing. No more juggling. No more trying to be everything at once.

Now it’s about building something that actually stands on its own—and making sure the people who can’t afford the traditional route still have a seat at the table. And if Amazon plays this right... we win!

Plus, this can be a major entry point for a number of younger gamers with parents who have Prime but can't afford the other stuff. And I'll say if the options on Luna is what you're looking for, then there's no need to try anywhere else.


 Amazon Luna Setup Guide — What You Need to Jump In (and Win Without Breaking the Bank) 

Let’s keep this real and practical—because the whole point of Amazon Luna is that you don’t need to go broke to start gaming.

This is where Luna separates itself. No console. No expensive PC. Just the right setup—and you’re in the game.

🔑 Step 1: Pick Your Device (You Only Need ONE)

🔥 Best Living Room Experience (Top Pick)

This is the sweet spot. Plug it into your TV, connect to Wi-Fi, and you’ve basically got a cloud gaming console—without paying console money.

📺 Built-In TV Options (No Extra Device Needed)

If your TV already runs Fire OS, you’re already halfway there. Just install Luna and go.

⚡ Power User Streaming Box

Faster, more powerful, and great if you want everything (streaming + gaming) running smooth.


📱 Portable & Budget-Friendly

Simple, affordable, and perfect if you just want to play anywhere.

Mobile & Browser Options (No Amazon Device Required)

You don’t even have to buy Amazon hardware—that’s part of the appeal. Use what you have with the Luna game service, add in a controller device like the Nacon MG-X Pro and game on!

🍎 iOS Devices

🤖 Android Devices

💡 Note: The Luna Android app isn’t on Google Play—you can grab it here:
👉 https://amazon-luna.en.uptodown.com/android/download

(Works on Android 5.1+, last updated March 2026)


💻 Chromebook & Browser Play

If your browser is updated, you’re good.


🌐 Step 2: Internet (This Is Non-Negotiable)

Cloud gaming lives and dies by your connection.

  • Stable Wi-Fi required
  • Faster speeds = smoother gameplay
  • Wired (Ethernet) = even better if available

This is the one area you don’t want to cut corners.


🎮 Step 3: Controller (Recommended — Don’t Skip This)

🏆 Best Experience (Built for Luna)

This connects directly to the cloud—not your device—which helps reduce input lag. That’s a big deal.

These work great—especially if you already own one.


🔊 Optional Upgrades (To Level Up the Experience)

🔈 Better Sound, Bigger Feel

Makes everything feel more cinematic—especially multiplayer or action games.

🎧 Personal Audio & Focus

Perfect for late-night sessions or staying locked in.

You don't even need headphones, just get something above and access Luna through that compatible device with your controller and get your game on. The pluses are nice, but... it’s about access.

  • You can start with what you already own
  • You can upgrade piece by piece (if you upgrade anything... up to you)
  • You don’t get locked out of gaming because of price

That’s why this matters—and why we present Luna as a real option. Jump in and game on!


Illustration of Blu with headphones and sunglasses.

 + Sophi 

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I don't want to say we called it but... Stadia goes... POOF in January 2023!

Did we call it or... did we call it?

Google sent out this email on the 29th of September... about the Stadia service shutting down on January 18, 2023. I wanted to hold off as we prepared for Hurricane Ian (yikes). Anyway, here's the actual email from Google if you didn't receive it.


Dear Stadia player,

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On September 29, 2022, we announced that the Stadia service will be shut down on January 18, 2023. We’re getting in touch with important information on what this means for you as a Stadia player.

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Availability

Stadia will remain available for gameplay until the service is shut down on January 18, 2023. During this period, you will have access to your game library, including Pro games if you had an active Pro subscription as of September 29, 2022. Be aware that publisher support for games may vary, and it’s possible that your gameplay experience may be affected during the shut-down period.

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Refunds

Google is offering a refund to Stadia users for Stadia hardware purchases (Stadia Controller, Stadia Founder’s Edition, Stadia Premiere Edition, or Play and Watch with Google TV Package) made on the Google Store, and game purchases and add-on purchases made on the Stadia Store. The refund process will take some time, but we expect to have the majority of refunds processed by January 18, 2023. We expect to be able to automatically issue refunds for a substantial portion of transactions as a credit to the form of payment used to make the purchase. For purchases that we are not able to automatically refund, you will receive an email with details on how to obtain your refund.

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Transactions and subscription fees

All commerce functionality (the ability to buy games, new subscriptions, add-ons or in-game purchases) on Stadia has now been disabled. Users who held an active Stadia Pro subscription as of September 29, 2022 will not be charged for access to their Pro library or other subscription entitlements during the shut-down period. Historical Stadia Pro subscription fees will not be eligible for refund.

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Your Stadia account and data

You will be able to export your Stadia data, such as profile information, game stats, social data, save files and captures from Google Takeout until the Stadia service shuts down on January 18, 2023, after which point your Stadia data will be permanently deleted. You can also delete Stadia from your Google account at any time or delete your Google account entirely. Please note that deleting your Google account will result in deletion of all data and content in that account, including emails, photos, and files, and may increase the amount of time it takes to receive a refund of your Stadia purchases. Google may however retain certain data, including transaction data, for up to three years following the shut-down of the service for the purposes of processing refunds and providing customer support.

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More information is available in the Help Center, which will be updated as new information becomes available.

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The Stadia team

_______________________________________________________________________

We don't celebrate when people are being laid off for something they had no control over, but... the people on top should have had a bit more foresight on how to approach this. I don't know, maybe Google Play could've had a cloud option so they could sneak it in there without as many expectations, but... there weren't must-play exclusives. Whatever you could play on Stadia, you could play anywhere else, and those other options... came with more options. Even "Get Packed" was similar to "Moving Out". Gylt was ok, but... no.

I think Amazon Luna is the closest in competition to Stadia, but... Amazon has first-party games (i.e. Lost Ark & New World to show for their serious game dev efforts) and took a soft approach for some time with free games, offering free in-game exclusives, etc. Amazon could have made sure that Lost Ark was released first on Luna... but with so many people having a Prime account, it's shrugged off. Google doesn't have an Amazon Prime equivalent.

Twitch is an Amazon platform also (not to say Youtube isn't bigger) but... Amazon utilizes the platform for Luna and those Prime perks also benefit you there. Not to mention, you can stream your Amazon Luna gameplay on Twitch straight from the cloud.

Amazon Luna is included with Prime, just like Prime Music, Prime Video, and so on. Even if they're the basic options to give you a taste of what you could enjoy with a premium plan... you get perks out the wazoo! The games on Amazon Luna at the base level rotate periodically, and you're able to play them from anywhere you have an internet connection. They should have an ultimate plan so that you don't have to decide between retro, family, or their core gaming subscription options only, but... it is what is for now with room for improvement. They should keep exclusives in mind for Luna though if they want to become more competitive.

I mention all the extras because Stadia couldn't touch Amazon Luna... so it definitely didn't have a chance against other platforms like Steam, Xbox, Playstation, and Nintendo.

If you have a Fire TV, a Fire TV Stick (4K Max), the upcoming Fire TV Cube (4K Ultra HD), Fire Tablet, or even your standard mobile device or PC... you can enjoy Amazon Luna. So even if they appear as if they're similar, there are differences. Will Google get out of gaming for good? Well... they still have Google Play, but maybe Stadia was just too ambitious at the moment (plus let's not forget that Nintendo is stepping into the cloud gaming arena too).




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Amazon Luna Controller... Reviewed!

 

The Luna controller arrived in time for Amazon Prime Day, but I wanted to follow up with an actual review of this controller that totally gives off... Saints Row vibes. Is it good... or does Amazon need to stick to being a great place to shop online? Let's jump in and find out... after an unboxing!


Quality + Comfort: The quality in this controller is there, it doesn't feel like it's going to fall apart from a bump or a drop. Also, the package is... sturdy enough to secure the controller during delivery.


The digital buttons are clicky, but... not as clicky as an Xbox controller. That's not to say they're better than the LB + RB on the Xbox controller... but they feel good and made me lean in that direction until I thought about those times that I needed to rapidly click LB or RB.

The trigger buttons are comparable, but the LT + RT on the Luna controller are slightly lower and feel like they give a bit more resistance so you can gauge your squeeze.

As far as the analog sticks go, no complaints there... and I actually really like these, definitely quality. One thing I'm not crazy about is the buttons on the Luna Controller. I'm not saying they aren't usable, I'm just thinking about how those will feel after a while of using them without being as easy to press (compared to the Xbox buttons). It's not that the buttons stick or something, they work... but there's a lighter button press to use the Xbox controller.

Design: The Luna Controller is... similar to the quality of standard console controllers you're familiar with and has the same layout as the Xbox controller. There are some things that I noticed are a bit better than the Xbox controller. The underbelly of the hand grips has a texture that you can feel a lot more than the Xbox controller's subtle texture. 

Believe it or not, the Xbox controller has a textured underbelly on the hand grips, but you can't feel it as much. The best way to tell is to drag your nail below the B button down to the bottom in the front, and then flip the controller and do the same to the back. Do you feel a difference?

Take a look at the underbelly of the Luna Controller hand grips, it looks like braille (not sure if it is or not) but that's how much you can see it on the back of the controller. You can even see it in the image below.


Another thing that I was able to see off the bat in terms of difference is the grip around the analog stick. You can feel the grip on these... and they feel good and give a quality touch to the controller.

As far as the LB + RB button & LT + RT triggers, they may look like your standard set... but the design is smooth and rounded where the fingers would go on them. There isn't an edge on the LB + RB and a very minimal edge on the LT + RT triggers, it's set up well and you may not even realize it if you don't look at this sort of stuff. A bad controller build presents obvious problems, but good designs may go unnoticed, that's why this review exists (in part).

The D-pad works, and I notice the little bump around it that allowed me to slide my thumb from the surface of the body to the d-pad whether it was intentional or not (though not as smooth as the Xbox controller). There's also a 3.5mm line in/out for your headset, and a USB-C Port to connect to your PC.

One thing this design is missing is the ability to connect a battery pack, so you will have to get the AA's poppin whether they're the basics (that come with the controller) or the rechargeable ones (which deliver a lot more value).

**Amazon, I would've paid a little more for an option that came with rechargeable batteries and a little battery charger. I'd rather reduce, reuse, and recycle... but maybe they'll consider it in the future (even if it's just swapping standards for rechargeable ones).

Another thing I'm not crazy about when it comes to this controller are the X, Y, A, and B buttons. They work, but for long gameplay sessions... they should be a bit easier to press.

Functionality: I wanted to save this before we jumped into pricing because there are pluses about this controller that make it worth buying (at least for some).
 
The Luna Controller has Alexa, which allows you to jump straight to a game on an Alexa-enabled device. You can connect to a device via Bluetooth (which isn't much of a wow, but... it's a nice option), and the same applies to USB-C, but... there's something else. You can connect this controller to Wifi.

This stood out to me, because... why would you need to connect a controller to Wifi, but... the technology allows the most responsive feedback from the Luna Controller when cloud gaming (according to Amazon). Does it work? I'll let you be the judge of that.


Price: Pricewise, the Amazon Luna Controller lands at the standard price of $69.99. I don't really have any complaints about this, and I know that you can play certain games free (which are rotated out after a period of time), but... I think Amazon should throw in a month free of the full experience.



Quality + Comfort 4

Design 5

Functionality 5

Price 5


4.75 out of 5 Cool Points



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