Blackwell RTX is Almost Everywhere
NVIDIA is wrapping up its Blackwell RTX upgrade for GeForce NOW, and that means true next generation cloud gaming is basically worldwide. The last stop on the upgrade train is Stockholm, which will mark the full global rollout of GeForce RTX 5080 class performance for Ultimate members.
So what does that actually mean for you when you fire up a game in the cloud?
- Streaming up to 5K resolution at 120 frames per second
- Up to 360 frames per second at 1080p for super competitive play
- Advanced ray tracing and AI powered performance
- High dynamic range visuals and ultrawide monitor support
- Support for racing wheels and handheld devices up to 90 frames per second
All of this runs from NVIDIA servers, so you do not need a monster PC at home. Even on a basic laptop or phone, you can stream modern games like Cyberpunk 2077 or Borderlands 4 at high settings without worrying about hardware, patches or download times.
The library is stacked too. With more than 4,000 supported games and the Install to Play feature, you can connect your existing PC game stores and jump in quickly instead of rebuilding a whole new library.
Perks, Contests and Free Rewards
NVIDIA is clearly leaning into the Blackwell RTX launch with a lot of community focused extras.
There is a GeForce NOW Community Video Contest where players can share clips that show how Ultimate streaming changes the way they game. If you submit a video through the Blackwell upgrade page, you automatically get two Ultimate day passes. You can keep both for yourself or share one with a friend, and the top ten submissions score a full year of Ultimate membership.
On top of that, there are in game rewards lined up for two big titles, Borderlands 4 and Guild Wars 2.
- Borderlands 4: Ultimate members can claim the ECHO 4 drone skin, a bold cosmetic that lets you stand out in the chaos. With Blackwell RTX servers, Borderlands 4 can run with cinematic quality streaming and significantly higher frame rates compared to older setups.
- Guild Wars 2: Ultimate members get the Bloody Prince Outfit, a regal and slightly menacing look that fits perfectly with the new Visions of Eternity expansion. You can dive into new areas like Castora, wield ancient magic and show off the outfit while doing it.
Claiming these rewards is simple. Log in to your GeForce NOW account portal, opt in to rewards and follow the instructions there.
- For Borderlands 4 you will receive a SHiFT code to enter in the in game menu.
- For Guild Wars 2 you redeem directly through your GeForce NOW account and then log in to get the outfit.
The whole idea is clear: you log in, hit play, and you are in the game with no installer, no giant patch and no waiting. The rewards are just extra fuel to keep you playing in the cloud instead of sitting on a progress bar.
New Games, Chromebooks and What to Play Next
This week also brings a fresh batch of games to the GeForce NOW library along with new ways to access the service.
Leading the lineup is Apollo Justice Ace Attorney Trilogy. This collection includes:
- Apollo Justice Ace Attorney
- Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney Dual Destinies
- Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney Spirit of Justice
- Two bonus episodes that were previously paid downloadable content
That is sixteen episodes of dramatic courtroom showdowns and quirky investigations, all playable on laptops, phones, Macs and more through GeForce NOW. No giant install required, so you can hop into a trial from basically anywhere.
On the shooter side, Battlefield 6 is pushing forward with Season 1 California Resistance, the second major content update. Once luxurious locations like swimming pools and private golf courses have turned into huge warzones with new maps, factions, vehicles and gadgets. One highlight is the new MP Map Eastwood, where golf carts join the brawl among destructible environments and wild weather events.
Several more titles are joining GeForce NOW this week, including:
- SpongeBob SquarePants Titans of the Tide
- Long Drive North
- Demonschool
- Moonlighter 2 The Endless Vault
- Monsters Are Coming Rock and Road
- Prologue Go Wayback
- The Crew Motorfest via Xbox and PC Game Pass support
- Sacred 2 Remaster
There is also a big callout for Star Wars Outlaws, which is tagged as GeForce RTX 5080 ready. In other words it is built to shine on the new Blackwell RTX hardware with all the modern visual upgrades you would expect.
If you are using Xbox PC Game Pass and want to play supported Ubisoft titles like The Crew Motorfest on GeForce NOW, NVIDIA points to a support article that walks you through linking your accounts and getting access in the cloud.
Chromebook Fast Pass: Easy Entry to Cloud Gaming
GeForce NOW is also aiming directly at Chromebook owners with the new Chromebook Fast Pass. This perk gives you a full year of cloud gaming at up to 1080p and 60 frames per second without ads or queue waits.
Fast Pass works for new Chromebook and Chromebook Plus buyers and also for new and existing GeForce NOW free users. Once activated, you get priority access to more than 2,000 ready to play PC games from major stores. In simple terms, your lightweight Chromebook suddenly behaves like a capable gaming PC, as long as your internet connection can keep up.
With Blackwell RTX nearly fully deployed, contests running, skins to grab and a steady stream of new games, GeForce NOW is clearly leaning in on the idea that your device does not matter nearly as much as your connection. Whether you are testing out Ultimate with a day pass or locking in for a full year, cloud gaming just got a lot more interesting.
Original article and image: https://blogs.nvidia.com/blog/geforce-now-thursday-ultimate-is-everywhere/
