Nvidia's GeForce Now on Vision Pro Shines a Light on Apple's Larger Issue in the Gaming Sphere
I've been yearning for a portable gaming console like the Steam Deck, but what if I crave the largest screen possible? Then, the Apple Vision Pro and Nvidia's GeForce Now streaming service would be the solution, except Apple's walled garden often hinders such potential delights.
The Vision Pro's $3,500 price tag is steep for even the best visual products, let alone a 75-inch QD-OLED TV. Nonetheless, the Vision Pro could deliver a wall-to-wall big-screen experience if you can get comfortable with it. The system boasts a 3660 x 3200 resolution per eye micro-OLED display, which is impressive for any VR headset.
In early January, Nvidia announced that GeForce Now would begin supporting Vision Pro and Meta Quest 3, with no extra download steps required. However, the issue lies with Safari causing problems on Vision Pro that don't exist on other platforms, and currently, all GeForce Now plans are sold out.
GeForce Now's 2.0.70 update makes it clear you can't play games with a mouse and keyboard through GeForce Now on Vision Pro and Safari. The limitation is seemingly due to Safari, not the GeForce Now software itself. A controller is fine for playing games like Warhammer 40K: Darktide on Vision Pro, but a mouse and keyboard would be preferred for Baldur's Gate III, as the AVP's eye-tracking and pinch gestures work as a mouse click but are still not sufficient to control most games.
Streaming games on Vision Pro with GeForce Now requires manually adjusting quality settings to force 4K resolution, and you're locked to 60 FPS due to the Vision Pro's 100 Hz refresh rate. You'll need at least 40 Mbps for 4K resolutions up to 60 FPS.
While you can already play games on Vision Pro via the ultrawide Mac mirroring feature on visionOS 2.2, the experience is limited due to Apple not cooperating with Epic Games Store, Steam, or other stores without its own App Store. GeForce Now is also available on the Nexus app, but streaming is an awkward beast that relies heavily on your internet connection.
Unfortunately, Safari's limitations and the unavailability of a dedicated app, as well as high subscription prices, limit the gaming potential of the Vision Pro. Apple aims to bring gaming into its ecosystem, but only on its strict terms, encouraging customers to purchase the latest Macs or iPads for gaming, while ultimately keeping out potential gamers by keeping its garden walls high.
To overcome the controller and mouse limitations, you can utilize a supported Bluetooth gamepad. Follow these steps:
- Create a GeForce NOW account.
- Connect to a 5GHz WiFi network for optimal performance.
- Pair a Bluetooth gamepad, like the Microsoft Xbox One or Sony DualShock 4. Vision Pro gestures are not supported for login and other app functions, so a gamepad is necessary.
- Go to the GeForce NOW website in Safari, ensuring you are running version 2.0.70 or later of the GeForce NOW app.
- Adjust picture quality settings to match your network and preferences for smooth gameplay with stunning visuals.
By following these steps, you can use a supported gamepad while bypassing the limitations of using Vision Pro gestures and mouse/keyboard input.
The introduction of GeForce Now support for Vision Pro and Meta Quest 3 suggest a promising future for VR gaming, although current issues with Safari on Vision Pro might require a shift to using a Bluetooth gamepad. The tech industry is likely to continue pushing the boundaries of technology in the VR ecosystem, with ultrawide screens and high MBPS requirements becoming more common for optimal gaming experiences. To fully enjoy this tech, a fast and stable internet connection of at least 40 MBPS is recommended for 4K resolutions at 60 FPS. Despite the challenges, Apple's vision for gaming within its ecosystem is focused on its own platforms, potentially limiting access for some gamers.
