Nvidia’s GeForce Now is set to receive a notable update next month as part of a collaborative experiment with Discord and Epic Games. The three companies are testing a system that allows Discord users to launch instant game demos, removing the need for downloads, installations, or upfront purchases.
How it Works
During the early test phase, users in Discord servers will see a “Try a Game” button next to supported titles. Clicking it will allow players to immediately start a game session through GeForce Now, provided they connect their Epic Games account. The feature is being demonstrated this week at Gamescom, with Fortnite as the first title available for testing.
According to Nvidia’s product marketing director, Andrew Fear, “You’ll be playing Fortnite in seconds without any downloads or installs.” However, a connection to an Epic Games account is still required, so the process is not entirely account-free.
Limited-Time Demo
The Fortnite demo currently comes with a 30-minute time limit. Nvidia refers to this as a “technology announcement”, rather than a confirmed feature launch. It remains unclear whether the demo system will extend beyond Gamescom or support additional titles anytime soon.
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The idea of instant game streaming isn’t new. Services like Gaikai, acquired by Sony in 2012, and Google Stadia also attempted similar “try-before-you-buy” game demos, but faced limited adoption. Past efforts were slowed in part by reluctance from game publishers to enable no-commitment trials.
Nvidia’s approach may renew interest in the concept, especially if developers and publishers choose to participate. For now, the project remains in an experimental phase with no confirmed rollout timeline.