NVIDIA GeForce NOW Upgrades to Blackwell RTX, Expands Game Library
- GeForce NOW adopts Blackwell RTX architecture in September 2024
- Brings RTX 5080-class performance and advanced AI features to the cloud
- Game library expands to over 4,500 titles with new Install-to-Play feature
- Membership prices remain unchanged; new storage options introduced
- Service launches in India in November
Major Technical Leap: Blackwell RTX Powers GeForce NOW
NVIDIA has announced that its GeForce NOW cloud gaming service will receive its most significant upgrade to date with the integration of the Blackwell RTX architecture this September. The update will deliver GeForce RTX 5080-class performance, next-generation AI enhancements, and cinematic visuals to users streaming games from the cloud. According to NVIDIA, the new architecture provides 62 teraflops of compute performance and a 48GB frame buffer, offering over three times the performance of current consoles and nearly triple the frame rates of previous-generation servers.
Advanced features include real-time ray tracing, improved textures, and AI-driven rendering, all powered by a combination of NVIDIA Blackwell RTX GPUs, AMD “Zen 5” CPUs, and NVIDIA ConnectX-7 networking. These upgrades aim to deliver a more responsive and visually rich gaming experience across a wide range of devices.
Install-to-Play: Doubling the Game Library
One of the standout features coming with the Blackwell RTX upgrade is Install-to-Play. This new capability allows users to install games directly in the cloud, leveraging high-performance storage powered by NVIDIA NVMesh technology. As a result, the GeForce NOW library will expand from about 2,200 Steam titles to over 4,500 supported games, effectively doubling the platform’s offerings.
Ultimate and Performance members will receive 100GB of single-session storage by default, with options for persistent storage available at additional monthly costs: 200GB for $2.99, 500GB for $4.99, and 1TB for $7.99. Once a game is installed on persistent storage, it remains instantly accessible for future play sessions.
Blockbuster Titles and Global Expansion
The timing of the Blackwell RTX rollout coincides with the release of several high-profile games, all optimized for the upgraded platform. Notable upcoming titles include Borderlands 4, Dying Light: The Beast (launching September 19), The Outer Worlds 2, Arc Raiders, Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2, Hell Is Us, Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, and Cinder City. These games will be available to stream instantly on GeForce NOW at launch, taking advantage of the new hardware’s capabilities.
In addition to technical upgrades, NVIDIA is expanding GeForce NOW’s reach. The service will launch in India this November through GFNA partner Brothers Picture, following its recent debut in Thailand. Collaborations with broadband and telecom providers such as Comcast and Deutsche Telekom AG are also underway to enhance connectivity and performance for cloud gaming.
Membership Pricing and Storage Options
Despite the significant upgrade, NVIDIA is maintaining its current pricing structure: Ultimate memberships remain at $19.99 per month (or $199.99 per year), and Performance memberships at $9.99 per month. The new persistent storage add-ons provide users with flexibility to keep their favorite games cloud-installed and ready to play.
Industry Implications
The integration of Blackwell RTX into GeForce NOW signals a continued push toward high-performance cloud gaming, aiming to offer console-beating experiences on nearly any device. By expanding its game catalog and geographic reach while holding prices steady, NVIDIA is positioning GeForce NOW as a leading platform in the increasingly competitive cloud gaming market.