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Luna Controller
Manufacturer	Amazon
Type	Video game controller
Release date	March 1, 2022
Input	2 analog sticks; 2 analog triggers (LT, RT); 2 shoulder buttons (LB, RB); 8 digital buttons (A, B, X, Y, Action, Menu, Microphone, Home); D-Pad;

Amazon Luna
Developer	Amazon
Type	Cloud gaming service
Launch date	USA: March 1, 2022; Canada: March 22, 2023; EU: March 22, 2023;
Operating system(s)	Fire TV, Fire tablets, Samsung Smart TV, LG TV.; Windows PC, Mac, Chromebook, iPhone, iPad, Android (as a web app)
Status	Active
Pricing model	Monthly subscription
Website	amazon.com/luna

Amazon Luna is a cloud gaming platform developed and operated by Amazon.^[1]^[2]^[3] The platform has integration with Twitch and is available on Windows, Mac, Amazon Fire TV, iOS (as a progressive web app) as well as Android. Games and channels from brands such as Ubisoft+ and Jackbox Games are accessed via the Luna+ paid subscription.

Luna uses the Windows Server operating system and Nvidia Tesla T4 graphics cards from Amazon Web Services for streaming games,^[4] and is available in the United States, Austria, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Poland, Spain, and the United Kingdom. Luna's competitors include other cloud gaming platforms like Xbox Cloud Gaming, PlayStation Plus cloud streaming, and GeForce Now.

History

Luna had a soft launch with early access to invited subscribers only on October 20, 2020.^[5] In its early access state, Amazon Luna featured about 100 different games combined^[6] with an introductory price of $5.99 a month. Luna subscribers have access to Ubisoft and Epic Games titles the same day they release through their respective channels. The Ubisoft+ channel costs an additional $14.99 per month. The Epic Games titles, such as Fortnite are free, but require purchasing a copy of a game.^[7]

Features

Games

Luna has a library of over 100 games that can be accessed with the purchase of a subscription.^[8]

Controllers

Luna supports control through keyboard and mouse, the Xbox Wireless Controller, Xbox Elite Wireless Controller, Xbox Adaptive Controller and the DualShock 4 and DualSense controllers.^[9]

The Luna Controller is an optional accessory at the additional cost of $59.99. The controller has dual analog sticks, a D-pad, two sets of shoulder buttons, four main A/B/X/Y face buttons, three other face buttons (Action, Menu, Microphone), and the home button (represented by the Luna symbol). The color of the controller is black.^[10] A microphone is built in, which supports Amazon Alexa. The controller can connect through Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or a USB-C cable.^[11]

USB connections can be used on Windows, Mac, Android, and Chromebook. iOS devices do not support USB OTG, and can only connect to game controllers over Bluetooth.

Supported controllers	Connection method	Controller input API	Notes^[12]
Mouse and keyboard	USB, Bluetooth	—	In Luna Couch sessions, guests have to ask the host to manually enable keyboard support for local co-op games.
Third-party controllers (e.g Logitech Gamepad F310, F710 or SteelSeries Stratus+, Stratus Duo)	USB, Bluetooth	DirectInput XInput	Both DirectInput and XInput controller APIs are supported. Controllers in XInput mode are treated as Xbox controllers. Possible issues might occur, such as a controller not responding to inputs. This usually can be resolved by: toggling the switch on the controller to DirectInput & re-plugging the USB cable to refresh the connection, or quitting/re-joining a game session. USB connections can also be used on Android devices by plugging in a USB OTG (Micro-USB/USB-C to USB-A) adapter on an Android phone/tablet.
Xbox Wireless Controller (for Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S)	USB, Bluetooth	XInput	USB connections can also be used on Android devices by plugging in a USB OTG (Micro-USB/USB-C to USB-A) adapter on an Android phone/tablet.
PlayStation 4 controller (DualShock 4)	USB, Bluetooth	DirectInput
PlayStation 5 controller (DualSense)	USB, Bluetooth	DirectInput
Luna Controller	USB, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi (Cloud Direct)	DirectInput (default) XInput (with optional driver installation)	The Cloud Direct option connects a Luna Controller directly to Amazon's custom game servers, reducing latency. The Luna controller operates in DirectInput mode by default. XInput mode can be activated by installing the hardware drivers.^[13] Using Bluetooth with a Luna controller on Windows requires installation of hardware drivers.^[14] USB connections can also be used on Android devices with a USB-C to USB-C cable.
Phone touchscreen as virtual controller	Wi-Fi (Cloud Direct)	—	The Luna Controller mobile app allows a phone's touchscreen to be used as a virtual controller for operating Luna on another computer or smart TV.^[15]

Reception

In a review of Amazon Luna in March 2021, a CNN article praised the service for its lower price compared to Stadia and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and praised its user interface, while criticizing occasional lag issues and its initial game lineup.^[16] A review from Screen Rant criticized the channel setup, arguing that those who want the full experience will end up paying more than for similar services. The review remarked that the service feels misguided, with an unclear target audience, and considered it too impractical to recommend to consumers. However, it also stated that it may be a good replacement to a console for people who prefer using subscription services.^[17]

Availability

Luna is currently only available to subscribers within the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, France, Italy, Spain, Austria, Poland, and The Netherlands, with further international release unconfirmed. Guests who do not have a subscription are able to join Luna Couch sessions hosted by subscribers to play local co-op games.

Country	Launch date	Domain name
United States	March 1, 2022	luna.amazon.com
Canada	March 22, 2023	luna.amazon.ca
Germany	March 22, 2023	luna.amazon.de
United Kingdom	March 22, 2023	luna.amazon.co.uk
France	November 15, 2023	luna.amazon.fr
Italy	November 15, 2023	luna.amazon.it
Spain	November 15, 2023	luna.amazon.es
Austria	June 20, 2024	luna.amazon.de
Poland	June 20, 2024	luna.amazon.pl
The Netherlands	June 20, 2024	luna.amazon.nl