PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG), now officially known as PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS, remains one of the world’s most popular battle royale titles. As cloud gaming continues to reshape how players access and experience games, many are asking: Is PUBG available on cloud gaming platforms? This article provides a comprehensive, up-to-date analysis of PUBG’s cloud gaming availability, how it works, and what the future may hold.
Overview: PUBG and Cloud Gaming
Cloud gaming allows users to play games streamed from remote servers, eliminating the need for powerful local hardware. This model is particularly attractive for resource-intensive games like PUBG, which traditionally require a gaming PC or console for optimal performance.
Current Cloud Gaming Availability for PUBG
Where Can You Play PUBG on the Cloud?
As of 2025, PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS is indeed available on several cloud gaming platforms, but with important caveats regarding which services support it and how.
Supported Cloud Gaming Services
- Shadow PC: PUBG is fully playable on Shadow, a cloud PC service. Shadow provides users with access to a virtual Windows PC in the cloud, allowing them to install and play any PC game they own, including PUBG. This service supports a wide range of devices—browsers, desktops, tablets, phones, TVs, and even consoles—by streaming the game from the cloud PC to the user’s device.
- Boosteroid (Install and Play): PUBG is available on Boosteroid’s “Install and Play” feature, which allows users to install and play their own games on a cloud PC. However, it is not part of Boosteroid’s managed cloud library, meaning you must own the game on Steam or another supported platform and install it yourself.
- Other Cloud PC Services: Platforms like airgpu and CloudDeck also support PUBG in a similar way, by providing access to a cloud-based PC where you can install and play the game.
Unavailable on Major Managed Cloud Libraries
- GeForce NOW: Despite user demand, PUBG is not currently available on NVIDIA’s GeForce NOW service. The main reasons appear to be licensing and anti-cheat concerns, as well as ongoing negotiations between KRAFTON (PUBG’s publisher) and NVIDIA5.
- Xbox Cloud Gaming (xCloud): PUBG is not available on Xbox Cloud Gaming as of 2025.
- Amazon Luna, Blacknut, PlayStation Now, Netflix Cloud, Nintendo Switch Cloud: PUBG is not available on these managed cloud gaming services.
Previous Cloud Gaming History
- Google Stadia: PUBG was previously available on Google Stadia before the service shut down, and it was considered one of the best ways to play the game in the cloud at the time, especially for its stability and cross-platform play.
How Does PUBG Work on Cloud Gaming Platforms?
Cloud PC Services vs. Managed Cloud Libraries
- Cloud PC Services (e.g., Shadow, Boosteroid Install and Play, airgpu):
- Provide a virtual Windows PC in the cloud.
- Users install and run PUBG as they would on a local PC.
- Full access to all game features, updates, and modes.
- Requires ownership of the game on a supported platform (e.g., Steam).
- Offers flexibility but may require more technical setup.
- Managed Cloud Libraries (e.g., GeForce NOW, Xbox Cloud Gaming):
- Offer a curated selection of games that can be launched instantly.
- PUBG is currently not available on these platforms.
- Typically easier for casual users, but game selection is limited by licensing and publisher agreements.
Device Support
With cloud PC services, you can play PUBG on a wide range of devices:
- Web browsers
- Windows and Mac desktops
- Tablets and smartphones (Android and iOS)
- Smart TVs and some consoles
This flexibility allows users without high-end gaming hardware to enjoy PUBG at high settings, provided they have a stable, high-speed internet connection.
Controller and Input Support
- As of the latest updates, playing PUBG on cloud gaming services like Shadow does not natively support controllers; keyboard and mouse are required1.
- This may change as cloud platforms update their input compatibility.
Multiplayer and Online Features
- PUBG’s full multiplayer experience is available via cloud PC services, including online co-op, competitive modes, and custom matches.
Why Isn’t PUBG on GeForce NOW or Xbox Cloud Gaming?
Despite its popularity, PUBG is notably absent from GeForce NOW and Xbox Cloud Gaming. Several factors contribute to this:
- Licensing and Publisher Agreements: KRAFTON, PUBG’s publisher, must negotiate terms with each platform. As seen with other games, publishers may hold out for better financial terms or prefer to limit cloud access for strategic reasons.
- Anti-Cheat Concerns: Cloud platforms that stream PC versions (like GeForce NOW) face challenges with anti-cheat systems, as cloud PCs can be exploited by cheaters. Console-based cloud gaming (like Stadia or Xbox Cloud) is less vulnerable, which may explain why PUBG was previously available on Stadia but not on PC-focused cloud services.
- Technical and Policy Barriers: Some cloud gaming platforms restrict running games on virtual machines (VMs) to prevent cheating, which can exclude games like PUBG from their libraries.
PUBG MOBILE and Cloud Gaming
While this article focuses on the PC/console version of PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS, it’s worth noting that PUBG MOBILE operates differently. Tencent Cloud provides the infrastructure for PUBG MOBILE, enabling low-latency access across the globe and supporting millions of concurrent players. However, PUBG MOBILE is not typically offered through third-party cloud gaming services; instead, it relies on its own distributed server infrastructure for optimal performance.
Is PUBG Free to Play on Cloud Gaming?
- Game Cost: PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS is now free-to-play on PC and consoles. However, using cloud gaming services like Shadow or Boosteroid requires a paid subscription.
- No Extra Game Purchase Needed: You do not need to buy PUBG separately if you already own it on a supported platform and use a compatible cloud PC service.
Performance and Experience
Internet Requirements
- A fast, stable internet connection is essential for smooth gameplay.
- Cloud gaming services recommend at least 15–25 Mbps for HD streaming, with higher speeds for 4K or high-refresh-rate gameplay.
Graphics and Latency
- Cloud PC services like Shadow can deliver high-quality graphics and low latency, provided you are geographically close to their data centers and have a robust internet connection.
- Input lag and occasional stuttering may occur with poor connectivity.
Updates and Maintenance
- All game updates and patches are handled on the cloud PC, so you always play the latest version.
- No need to worry about local storage or hardware upgrades.
Table: PUBG Cloud Gaming Availability (May 2025)
| Cloud Gaming Service | PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS Available? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Shadow PC | Yes | Full game, install via Steam, keyboard/mouse only16 |
| Boosteroid (Install/Play) | Yes | Must own/install game, not in managed library6 |
| airgpu, CloudDeck | Yes | Cloud PC, user installs game6 |
| GeForce NOW | No | Not available156 |
| Xbox Cloud Gaming | No | Not available15 |
| Amazon Luna, Blacknut | No | Not available16 |
| Google Stadia | No (service shut down) | Previously available56 |
The Future: Will PUBG Expand to More Cloud Platforms?
There is ongoing speculation about PUBG’s potential arrival on more mainstream cloud gaming platforms. Industry observers believe that publisher negotiations, anti-cheat solutions, and evolving platform policies could eventually bring PUBG to services like GeForce NOW or Xbox Cloud Gaming5. The game’s prior availability on Stadia and console cloud services demonstrates that PUBG is technically and operationally suited for cloud gaming, provided business and security concerns are addressed.
Conclusion
Yes, PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS is available on cloud gaming platforms—but mainly via cloud PC services like Shadow, Boosteroid (Install and Play), and similar providers. These allow you to install and play the full PC version of PUBG on a virtual machine, streaming to almost any device. However, PUBG is not currently available on major managed cloud gaming libraries such as GeForce NOW or Xbox Cloud Gaming, largely due to licensing, anti-cheat, and technical considerations.
Players seeking the cloud gaming experience with PUBG should look to cloud PC services, ensuring they have a strong internet connection and are comfortable with the setup process. As the cloud gaming landscape evolves, broader support for PUBG may emerge, offering even more convenient and accessible ways to experience this iconic battle royale title.