Photo credit: arstechnica.com

Razer’s iOS App: A Game Streaming Experience

Razer has unveiled an iOS application designed to enhance the way users discover and stream games. One eye-catching aspect is the app’s interface, prominently displaying options for popular games, including the timeless classic, Solitaire.

Upon initial exploration of the app, I pressed a button that supposedly freed up some RAM resources. This feature draws interest, as optimizing system performance can be crucial for an uninterrupted gaming experience.

While testing the app, I aimed to keep any adjustments to a minimum—aside from a few experiments with the “Optimize” function. This approach resulted in a largely seamless experience. Razer has established a default streaming quality of 30Mbps, which typically ensures stable 1080p resolution and occasionally allows smooth 1440p playback. However, there were some functionalities I had grown accustomed to in other streaming applications, such as Moonlight. For example, the ability to engage a temporary mouse cursor or utilize button shortcuts to exit games were absent, leaving me wishing for these conveniences.

The versatility of Razer’s application extends beyond the confines of Steam games alone; it is capable of streaming virtually any game installed on your Windows platform. However, it’s important to note that the app currently supports only Windows and primary mobile operating systems, thereby excluding Macs, Apple TVs, Linux systems, and popular handheld devices like the Steam Deck or Raspberry Pi. Despite this limitation, the application performed admirably on compatible platforms. Its interface, while decidedly Razer-themed with a flashy aesthetic, proved to be more user-friendly than alternatives like Moonlight. Notably, there was no need to delve into launching executables or runtime settings for individual games to initiate them from my mobile device.

In terms of streaming quality, my experience mirrored that of using Moonlight, which is relatively expected given the shared technology behind these applications. The automatic adjustment to my iPad’s native screen resolution and refresh rate eliminated some of the typical challenges associated with balancing display settings, offering a straightforward solution compared to the often cumbersome setup required in other streaming platforms like Steam Link.

Ultimately, Razer’s iOS app presents a valuable option for gamers looking to engage with their libraries on-the-go, albeit with some restrictions on compatible systems. As the app evolves, further enhancements could make it an even more formidable player in the game streaming landscape.

Source
arstechnica.com