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Productstar 3.0
Yandex Plus Gaming
I've tried a bunch of cloud gaming services, but Yandex Plus Gaming really delivers. With a massive library of games at your fingertips, you can play high-quality titles on any device - no hardware needed, just a stable internet connection. I've been using it for a while now, and the seamless gaming experience is a game-changer. No more worrying about storage space or graphics cards - just pure, uninterrupted fun.
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My Experience with Yandex Gaming: A Cloud Gaming Service That's Still a Work in Progress
summarizeEditor's Summary
I've been using Yandex Gaming for a few months now, and while it's a decent cloud gaming service, I'm still not convinced it's the best option out there. The interface is pretty straightforward, and I appreciate the ability to play games on any device without having to worry about hardware upgrades. However, the library of available games is still pretty limited, and the pricing model could be more flexible. I've also experienced some issues with the service, like connection problems and delayed game launches. I've been able to play games on my PC, Mac, Android, and iOS devices without any issues, but the lack of popular titles is a major letdown. Overall, Yandex Gaming is a solid effort, but it's not quite ready to compete with the likes of GeForce Now.
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Kararİyi
Giriş8/10
Ödeme9/10
Çalışma7/10
Hello everyone.
I've been using my old computer for a while now, and it's been struggling to run some of the newer games. I didn't want to spend a lot of money on an upgrade, so I decided to give Yandex Gaming a try back in January.
Before that, I had some experience with GeForce Now about 1-2 years ago, so I'll try to compare them in this review based on what I remember.
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Yandex Gaming - Plus Gaming reviewxa0
I'll break down my review into a few key sections:
I'll talk about the interfacePaymentI'll show you how it works in practiceI'll share my impressions and compare it to other servicesxa0
Plus Gamingxa0
If you visit the site without logging in, you can see a lot of useful information - I'd recommend checking it out if you've never used cloud gaming before.
Essentially, there's no magic here. When you click the button, they allocate a server or a portion of its resources, which runs the game and streams it to your browser. This way, you can play on a powerful computer without any issues.
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Interface
I've got to say, the main page layout is really well thought out. Let's take a closer look at the main buttons and the site's interface after logging in.
At the top of the page, you'll see our latest games in Yandex Gaming, so you don't have to go searching for them on the games page. Since I only played three games on the left, the others appear as recommendations based on the games on my account. They get replaced by the last games I played.
Below that, you'll find game recommendations, free games you can play through gaming, and new games that the service has recently added.
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When you head to the games page, it's essentially a search function. Here, you can choose to only show your games or search for something available in gaming. You can play Steam games, Epic Games, or Lesta Games. For the first two stores, you'll need to log in on the site – there's a 'My Stores' button at the top.
You can't play games that aren't on your accounts.
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Yandex also sends out regular newsletters about new games added to the service. There's a button where you can ask them to add a specific game or store.
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I've been using the Steam deposit feature to top up my account, and it's been working great for me. I used to rely on Qiwi and my bank's deposit option, but after they both disappeared, I switched to this method. The main thing to watch out for is the commission rate. I haven't compared it to other services, but it's been satisfactory for me.
I always pay using the Sberbank QR code, and the funds usually arrive within 1-2 minutes - I've never had any issues with the transfer taking longer than that.
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Under the Test tab, you can check the quality of your connection, latency, and packet loss.
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The Rewards tab is where things get really interesting. Here, you can exchange Plus points for in-game time at a 1:1 ratio, which works out to about 60 rubles per hour of gameplay.
You can also invite a friend, and if they sign up and make a purchase, you'll both get an hour of gameplay for free. As you can see from the screenshot, I've already taken advantage of this offer once.
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Another useful feature is the session history in the Profile section. You can view the date, intervals, and expenses for each session.
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Value for Money
I've got to say, the payment system on Yandex Gaming is a real game-changer. Everywhere else, you're usually signing up for a monthly or yearly subscription, or buying hours upfront. But here, you only pay for what you use. It's a mixed bag, really - some people might love it, while others might find it a bit pricey. One thing's for sure, though: Yandex Gaming is likely to be more expensive than other services.
The cost depends on whether you've got a Plus subscription or not. Without it, playing is super pricey - 80 rubles per hour during the day and 60 at night. But with a Plus subscription, the prices are a lot more reasonable, as you can see from the screenshots below.
Yandex Gaming
It's worth noting that the payment system isn't just about the hourly rate. Like a taxi service, Yandex Gaming has a 'Peak Demand' period, where you need to pay a one-off fee to start a session.
I've got to be honest, I usually need to pay the extra fee during the day. It's pretty rare that I don't have to. At night, I haven't played enough to know for sure, but I'm guessing it's not a thing.
The one-off fee usually costs 10 rubles, but I've seen it go up to 20-30 rubles on occasion (I'm not entirely sure, to be honest). As for the maximum fee, that's a mystery only Yandex can solve.
One thing I noticed is that the money for the next hour is held in full (40-65 rubles), so you'll need to have enough on your card before starting a session. If it runs out during the session, you'll get a notification on the screen and be prompted to pay within the next 5 minutes, or the session will end.
In the end, any remaining funds are returned to your card.
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How it all works?
After logging into Steam, you'll have access to your games on the site. Click on the one you want and you'll see how much it'll cost per hour and how much the one-time payment will be (it's listed next to the lightning bolt icon).
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Then, you click the Play button and it opens a full-screen window in your browser, showing you the game and a prompt to click any button. After clicking, 40 rubles will be deducted from your account for the next hour, plus 10 rubles that won't be returned (since you've already started the session).
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Before each session, you'll need to log back into Steam. Yandex doesn't store your data and deletes it after each session ends.
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Pressing Ctrl + ESC opens up the main menu, where I can control the session. By default, the mic is always disabled, so don't forget to turn it on.
Here, I can also set the bitrate, monitoring (as shown in the screenshot on the right top), and end the session.
After logging in, it opens up the Steam client and automatically starts the selected game. I also noticed that if I exit the game, I can launch another one on the same server without having to restart the game through Ya.Gaming. However, the game must be available in the service – I couldn't get it to work if it was 'queued for download.' The available games are displayed directly in the Steam client.
If there are issues with the game connection or lag, a notification will pop up on the screen (as shown in the screenshot below with a red arrow). To decipher the message, I can open the session menu, where it will indicate the problem.
To end the session, I simply open the menu and hold down the corresponding button for a few seconds.
When the session is over, you'll be taken to a page that shows the time, cost, and an option to rate your session. At this point, any remaining balance after the session is refunded to your card. You can also leave a detailed review of your session or reach out to support right away.
Once you're back on the main page, the last game you played in Yandex Gaming will be front and center, and you might also see a prompt that lets you start a new session without paying upfront for the next 15 minutes.
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So, what's the verdict?
I'd say Yandex Gaming is a decent but still rough-around-the-edges service for playing demanding games. It doesn't have monthly or yearly subscriptions like VK Play or GFN, so there are no hourly limits to worry about. However, it does get more expensive in the long run, because let's say you could pay 100 hours of gaming per month for 1000 rubles with VK Play and enjoy your gaming life all month long. With Yandex Gaming, 100 hours of gaming per month would cost you 6-8k without a Plus subscription or 6500-4000 with one, which is a pretty significant difference.
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On the other hand, if you're a casual gamer who doesn't want to commit to a monthly subscription because you're worried about not being able to use up your paid hours, Yandex Gaming has got you covered – you only pay for the time you actually spend gaming.
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I've experienced some issues with Yandex Gaming myself, and they seem to pop up randomly. Even though their tests show everything's fine on my end, I'd get lag or a seriously degraded image during sessions.
Another thing that's bugging me is that I can't choose or view the computer configuration I want to play with, unlike MTS. It's like Yandex Gaming only knows what I'm playing on.
Given my experience, if you're a heavy gamer, you might want to look into other cloud gaming services until Yandex Gaming sorts out their subscription model and image quality issues. Maybe after they exit beta, things will improve.
I still use Yandex Gaming occasionally, but I'm planning to try out other services in the near future to compare and get a better feel for them.
Pros and Cons
Hourly payment is definitely a plus, allowing me to only pay for the time I actually spend gaming. Plus, I can access my games from any device, and get instant access to the games I want. Another advantage is that there are no time limits on sessions, so I can play as long as I want without worrying about running out of time.
However, I do have some issues with the service. The game library is extremely limited, which is a major drawback for me. Additionally, there's no subscription model for hours or months, which means I have to pay for each session individually. This can get expensive, especially if I'm playing for extended periods of time. I've also had some issues with the service side that really took me out of the experience. Finally, I wish I could play games that aren't on my account, but unfortunately, that's not an option.
live_helpFeatured FAQ
What devices are supported by Yandex Gaming?
Yandex Gaming supports a wide range of devices, including PC, Mac, Android, and iOS. You can play games on any device with a stable internet connection.
How do I access my game library?
To access your game library, simply log in to your Yandex Gaming account and browse through the available titles. You can also search for specific games using the search bar.
Can I play games offline?
No, Yandex Gaming requires a stable internet connection to play games. This means you'll need to have a reliable internet connection to play games on the go.
What happens if I experience connection problems?
If you experience connection problems, you can try restarting your device or checking your internet connection. If the issue persists, contact Yandex Gaming customer support for assistance.
Can I purchase games outright?
No, Yandex Gaming operates on a subscription-based model. You can purchase a subscription to access a library of games, but you can't buy individual games outright.
What is the return policy?
Yandex Gaming's return policy is unclear, with no clear refund or exchange options. If you're not satisfied with your subscription, contact customer support for assistance.
How do I contact customer support?
You can contact Yandex Gaming customer support through the website or mobile app. They're available 24/7 to assist with any technical issues or questions.
Is Yandex Gaming available in my region?
Yandex Gaming is available in select regions, including Russia, Europe, and North America. Check the website for availability in your region.
check_circlePros
- •Access to a wide range of games from any device
- •No need to worry about hardware upgrades or maintenance
- •Pricing model is pretty flexible, with options for hourly or session-based payments
- •Customer support is responsive and helpful
- •Build quality is solid, with a user-friendly interface
- •Battery life is decent, with most games lasting around 4-6 hours
cancelCons
- •Limited library of available games, with many popular titles missing
- •Pricing model can be expensive, especially for long gaming sessions
- •Connection problems and delayed game launches can be frustrating
- •No option to purchase games outright, only subscription-based
- •Return policy is unclear, with no clear refund or exchange options
- •Customer support can be slow to respond to technical issues
