There are many gaming platforms out there, each with its unique features and offerings.
Here are a few popular ones:
- Steam: One of the largest game distribution platforms, offering thousands of games from different genres
- Blizzard Battle.net: A platform for Blizzard games like World of Warcraft and Overwatch
- Epic Games Store: A platform from the creators of Fortnite, offering exclusive games and weekly free games
- Origin: A platform for EA (Electronic Arts) games such as FIFA, Battlefield, and The Sims
- GeForce Now: A cloud gaming service that allows you to play games on any device as long as you have a strong internet connection
- Stadia: Google’s take on cloud gaming, allowing you to stream games to your computer, smartphone, or TV without needing high-end hardware
- Ubisoft Connect: Offers all of Ubisoft’s games in one place, with a blend of free and paid titles, multiplayer services, and social features
- GOG (Good Old Games): Focuses on selling DRM-free games, with a mix of classic and new titles
- Xbox Game Pass for PC: Offers access to a vast library of games for a monthly subscription fee, including new releases from Xbox Game Studios on the day they launch
- PlayStation Network (PSN): Not just for console gamers, PSN provides access to PlayStation games on PC through its streaming service.
- Itch.io: An indie game marketplace offering a wide range of games from independent developers
- Humble Bundle: Known for its pay-what-you-want model for game bundles, it also has a store and a subscription service offering a curated selection of games
Remember that each platform requires its own account and has different game offerings, so it’s good to check them out and see which suits you best.
Here’s our comprehensive comparison table to provide an even broader overview of the options available to gamers.
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| Name of Platform | Games Topics and Prominent Games | Online/Downloaded | Mobile Compatibility | Console Compatibility | Availability on Mac |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steam | Varied topics; Dota 2, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, The Witcher 3 | Downloaded & Some Online | Yes, via a Steam Link | Limited via Steam Machine | Yes |
| Battle.net | Blizzard games; World of Warcraft, Overwatch, Diablo series | Downloaded & online streaming | Yes, for some games | No, but games available on consoles | Yes |
| Stadia | Varied topics; Cyberpunk 2077, Destiny 2, Assassin’s Creed series | Online streaming | Yes | Yes, via Chromecast Ultra and compatible devices | Via Web Browser |
| Epic Games Store | Varied topics; Fortnite, Borderlands 3, Rocket League | Downloaded | Yes, for some games | No, but games available on consoles | Limited, depends on the game |
| Xbox Game Pass for PC | Varied topics; Halo series, Forza Horizon series, Microsoft Flight Simulator | Downloaded & Some Online | Yes, via cloud gaming | Yes, integrated with Xbox ecosystem | No |
| Origin | EA titles; FIFA series, Apex Legends, The Sims 4 | Downloaded & Online | Yes, for some games | No, but games available on consoles | Limited, depends on the game |
| PlayStation Network (PSN) | Exclusive Sony titles and varied topics; God of War, Spider-Man, The Last of Us | Downloaded & Online | Yes, with Remote Play | Yes, exclusive to PlayStation consoles | Via Remote Play |
| GeForce Now | Varied topics; supports games from Steam, Epic Games Store, and more | Online streaming | Yes | Limited, supports some Android TV devices | Yes, via App |
| GOG (Good Old Games) | DRM-free classics and new releases; The Witcher series, Baldur’s Gate | Downloaded | No | No | Yes |
| Itch.io | Indie games; wide variety, including experimental and smaller titles | Downloaded & Some Online | Yes, via mobile web | No | Yes |
| Ubisoft Connect | Ubisoft titles; Assassin’s Creed series, Far Cry series, Rainbow Six Siege | Downloaded & Online | Yes, via app | No, but games available on consoles | Limited, depends on the game |
| Green Man Gaming | Yes, integrated with the Xbox ecosystem | Downloaded | No | No | Depends on the game |
| Humble Bundle | Indie and major titles; pay-what-you-want bundles, Humble Store, Humble Choice subscription | Downloaded | No | No | Depends on the game |
Here are some concrete examples of popular games, and how they are played.
| Game | Online Streaming Availability | Availability for PC | Availability for Mac |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minecraft (Sandbox) | Yes, via platforms like GeForce Now | Yes | Yes |
| Fortnite (Battle Royale) | Yes, via GeForce Now | Yes | Yes |
| The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Adventure) | No | No | No |
| Among Us (Social deduction) | Yes, via platforms like GeForce Now | Yes | Yes |
| League of Legends (MOBA) | No | Yes | Yes |
| Animal Crossing: New Horizons (Life sim) | No | No | No |
| Call of Duty: Warzone (Battle Royale) | Yes, via platforms like GeForce Now | Yes | No |
| Elden Ring (Action RPG) | Yes, via platforms like GeForce Now | Yes | No |
| Grand Theft Auto V (Open-world) | Yes, via platforms like GeForce Now | Yes | No |
| Valorant (Tactical shooter) | No | Yes | No |
| The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (Open-world RPG) | Yes, via platforms like GeForce Now | Yes | Yes |
| Roblox (Game creation) | No | Yes | Yes |
| Overwatch (FPS) | No | Yes | Yes |
| Dark Souls III (Action RPG) | Yes, via platforms like GeForce Now | Yes | No |
| God of War (2018) (Action-adventure) | No | Yes (via PlayStation Now) | No |
| Apex Legends (Battle Royale) | Yes, via platforms like GeForce Now | Yes | No |
| Cyberpunk 2077 (Open-world RPG) | Yes, via platforms like GeForce Now | Yes | Yes |
| Stardew Valley (Farming sim) | No | Yes | Yes |
| Super Mario Odyssey (Platform) | No | No | No |
| Red Dead Redemption 2 (Open-world) | Yes, via platforms like GeForce Now | Yes | No |
| Far Cry series (Open-world FPS) | Yes, via platforms like GeForce Now | Yes | No |
| The Last of Us Part 1 & 2 (Action-adventure) | No | No | No |
| Squad (Tactical FPS) | No | Yes | No |
| Halo series (FPS) | Yes, via Xbox Cloud Gaming | Yes (some titles) | No |
| Destiny 2 (MMO FPS) | Yes, via platforms like GeForce Now | Yes | Yes |
| Battlefield series (FPS) | Yes, via platforms like GeForce Now | Yes | No |
| Call of Duty series (FPS) | Yes, via platforms like GeForce Now | Yes (some titles) | No |
Steam
Known for its wide range of game genres and titles, Steam offers both online and downloaded games. Mobile compatibility is available through the Steam Link app, which allows streaming games to mobile devices. Console compatibility is somewhat limited but includes the Steam Machine and some degree of interoperability with console controllers and certain games.
Battle.net
Focused on Blizzard Entertainment’s titles, Battle.net provides both online and downloadable games, with a heavy emphasis on multiplayer and competitive gaming experiences. Mobile compatibility exists for some of its games (such as Hearthstone), but direct console compatibility is not a feature of the platform itself. However, Blizzard games are often available on consoles independently.
Stadia
Google’s cloud gaming service allows playing video games streamed to various devices, eliminating the need for downloads. Stadia’s library includes a mix of indie titles and blockbuster games, accessible on PCs, mobile devices, and through Chromecast Ultra on TVs. Stadia also supports certain game controllers and keyboards for a console-like gaming experience on multiple devices.
Epic Games Store
Offers a mix of free games, exclusives, and major titles. While primarily a platform for downloaded games, it provides mobile compatibility for some titles, notably Fortnite, via separate apps. Console compatibility is not a direct feature of the platform, but many of its games are available on consoles.
Xbox Game Pass for PC
A subscription service offering a wide range of games from various developers, including both downloadable and online titles. Mobile compatibility is supported through cloud gaming features, allowing streaming to mobile devices. It is closely integrated with the Xbox console ecosystem, providing a seamless experience for users who play on both PC and Xbox.
Origin
EA’s digital distribution platform focuses on its game franchises. It offers downloadable games with some online features, especially for multiplayer titles. Mobile compatibility is limited to companion apps for certain games. While not directly compatible with consoles, many of EA’s games are available on various console platforms.
PlayStation Network (PSN)
PlayStation Network (PSN) is Sony’s digital entertainment service, providing access to a wide array of gaming and multimedia content. While PSN is primarily designed for PlayStation consoles (PS3, PS4, PS5), it also offers features that extend to PC users, enhancing the PlayStation gaming experience beyond the console.
There are two ways to access PlayStation games on a PC:
- PlayStation Plus: Offers the ability to stream a selection of PlayStation games to your PC via the cloud. You don’t need a PlayStation console for this.
- Remote Play: Allows you to stream games from your PlayStation console to your PC over your home network. You need to own a PlayStation console for this.
Before its integration into the broader PlayStation Plus service, PS Now was Sony’s standalone cloud gaming subscription service, allowing players to stream and play a vast library of PlayStation games on both PS consoles and PC. With PS Now functionality being absorbed into PlayStation Plus, PC gamers can still access a selection of PlayStation games via streaming.
To use PlayStation Now (PS Now) on a PC, you need to download the PlayStation app and have a stable internet connection. This service offers a mix of classic PlayStation titles, recent games, and even some PS5 exclusives, depending on the subscription tier.
Another way PSN facilitates gaming on PC is through the Remote Play app. This app allows you to stream games from your PlayStation console to another device, including PCs. The setup involves connecting your PS console to your home network and installing the Remote Play app on your PC. Once everything is set up, you can play your PlayStation games on your computer screen. This feature is especially useful for those who want to enjoy their console games without being tied to the TV where the console is connected.
While PlayStation Network is fundamentally designed around the PlayStation console experience, features like PlayStation Now (integrated into PlayStation Plus) and Remote Play provide avenues for accessing PlayStation content from a PC. These services and features offer PC gamers a taste of PlayStation’s exclusive titles and the ability to play their console games more flexibly.
GeForce Now
Nvidia’s cloud gaming service allows users to stream games from various digital distribution platforms like Steam and Epic Games Store to their devices, including PCs, Macs, Shield TVs, and mobile devices (both Android and iOS through the web). It doesn’t sell games directly but enables streaming of games users already own or are free to play, offering a unique approach to platform compatibility and accessibility.
GOG (Good Old Games)
Offers a mix of classic and new games, all DRM-free, focusing on the preservation of classic games and the provision of a user-friendly platform for purchasing and playing games without DRM restrictions.
Itch.io
A platform for indie games that supports developers through direct sales. It’s a hub for creative and experimental games, often featuring titles not found on other platforms.
Ubisoft Connect
The go-to platform for Ubisoft’s games, offering integrated social features, rewards, and achievements across Ubisoft’s titles.
Green Man Gaming
An online retailer that sells digital keys for games, which can be redeemed on other platforms like Steam and Origin. It’s known for offering competitive discounts.
Humble Bundle
Offers bundles of games at a price set by the buyer, with a portion of the proceeds going to charity. It also operates a store and a subscription service offering a selection of games each month.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are PC games available for Mac or can I access them online?
Mac users can access PC games either directly through Mac-compatible versions available on platforms like Steam, GOG, and the Epic Games Store, or online via:
- Cloud Gaming Services like GeForce Now and Stadia, stream games to your Mac.
- Remote Play features, streaming games from your console or PC to your Mac.
- Virtualization Software or Boot Camp (on Intel Macs), running Windows on your Mac to play Windows-only games.
If Fortnite is a PlayStation game, how are people playing it on PC or Online?
Fortnite is not exclusive to PlayStation; it’s a cross-platform game available on multiple platforms including PC, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and mobile devices, in addition to PlayStation. This wide availability is a key reason why people can play Fortnite on PC or online without needing a PlayStation console. Here’s how it works across platforms:
- On PC: Fortnite can be downloaded and played directly through the Epic Games Launcher, which is the digital distribution platform developed by Epic Games, the creators of Fortnite.
- Online Multiplayer: Fortnite supports cross-platform play, meaning players on different devices can play together in the same matches. This includes players on PC, consoles (like PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch), and even mobile devices.
Epic Games has made Fortnite accessible to a broad audience by ensuring it’s not tied to any single platform. This approach encourages a larger player base and community, making it one of the most popular games in the world with a vast online presence.
Visit the Epic Games Store website: Go to https://www.epicgames.com/store using your web browser.
Is Discord a gaming platform?
Discord is not a gaming platform in the traditional sense of offering games for sale, download, or streaming directly within its service. Instead, Discord is a communication platform designed for creating communities and offering voice, video, and text chat. It’s widely used by gamers to connect with friends, join game-specific communities, and coordinate multiplayer gaming sessions.
While Discord does not directly provide games, it has features that are closely integrated with gaming. For example:
- Rich Presence: Allows games to integrate directly with Discord to show what game you’re playing, enable invite-to-game features, and more.
- Game Store: Discord had experimented with a digital storefront where users could purchase games, but this feature has since been phased out.
- Nitro Subscription: Discord offers a subscription service called Nitro, which primarily enhances user experience with features like higher quality video, more emoji options, larger file uploads, and server boosts. It used to offer access to a library of games as part of Nitro, but this has been discontinued.
Discord’s primary function remains as a communication tool that enhances the gaming experience by allowing players to easily connect and communicate, rather than serving as a direct portal for accessing games.
