Replacing Nvidia’s GameStream: Get Sunshine and Moonlight instead – Ars Technica

After years of providing cutting-edge streaming services to gamers, Nvidia’s GameStream technology has officially come to an end. But fear not, gamers, because new replacements have been introduced that offer similar, if not better, gaming streaming experiences. In this article, we’ll dive into the world of Sunshine and Moonlight, the two services that have taken over from where GameStream left off, and explore their features and benefits in comparison to their predecessor.


I wish I had a greater variety of iPad games to enjoy on my couch, but I don’t keep many games on my device at one time. Nvidia’s GameStream previously allowed gamers to stream PC games to their Nvidia Shield devices. Although GameStream was user-friendly and optimized game streaming, Nvidia has now removed it from Shield devices. However, an even better DIY game-streaming solution exists called Moonlight, which allows people to stream games from Nvidia cards to Windows/Mac/Linux computers, iOS and Android devices, Raspberry Pi 4, and more. Moonlight’s server, Sunshine, is a more expansive and useful alternative to GameStream, supporting AMD and Intel GPUs, offering more native resolution options, and offering customization options. Setting Moonlight and Sunshine up is straightforward with a web console to configure settings and troubleshoot issues. Moonlight was originally developed in 2013 by a group of university students at a hackathon and has since been continuously improved and expanded upon.


In conclusion, the demise of Nvidia’s GameStream may come as a disappointment to some die-hard fans, but the good news is that there are excellent alternatives out there such as Sunshine and Moonlight. These open-source options offer a more flexible and customizable gaming experience that caters to a wider range of users with different preferences and devices. It’s clear that the future of game streaming is evolving rapidly, and we can expect to see even more innovative platforms emerging in the years ahead. As for Nvidia, we look forward to seeing what new developments they bring to the gaming world in the future.