Being able to play modern, high-quality video games on just about any kind of PC is the big pitch of the handful of cloud gaming services out there. Using a subscription model, these services allow people with a strong internet connection to tap remote servers in order to play video games of all kinds on even modest computer setups that wouldn't be able to run them directly. We took the time to try out the biggest players in the cloud gaming space to figure out what works, what to expect, and why you may want to choose one service over another. From the game libraries to the user experience to the visual quality, read on to see what these cloud gaming services bring to the table. When it comes to the best all-around experience, GeForce Now is our strongest recommendation.

Microsoft Corp. began to make the case in Washington for its purchase of game giant Activision Blizzard Inc., laying out new data-collection, competition and payment policies for its Xbox and Windows software stores that it says address regulators' broader concerns about rival app stores. The company, which last month agreed to acquire Activision for $69 billion, also pledged Wednesday to keep making Call of Duty games for Sony Corp.'s rival PlayStation console even after its contractual commitment ends. "We want to be clear with regulators and with the public that if this acquisition is approved, they can count on Microsoft to adapt to the rules that are emerging and run our business in a responsible way," Microsoft President and Vice Chair Brad Smith said at a press event. At the briefing, Microsoft's top executives explained the company's app-store principles for its Microsoft and Xbox stores, where users can purchase personal-computer software as well as PC and Xbox games. They include a promise not to use any nonpublic data from the app store to compete with apps made by rival developers and to avoid "unreasonable preferencing our apps over others." Microsoft also said it wouldn't require developers to use its payment system for in-app purchases, although that stipulation and a few others won't initially apply to the Xbox store.

Xbox Live players found themselves unable to get their game on Thursday. Microsoft's online gaming service, which lets players engage in multiplayer games and access cloud-based games, was down for more than an hour Thursday afternoon. In addition to the more than 100 million monthly users who subscribe to Xbox Live for multiplayer gaming, 18 million pay for Xbox Game Pass and must connect to Xbox Live for access to that cloud gaming service. "We are aware that users may not be able to sign-in to Xbox Live at this time," read a tweet on the Xbox Support account. "Our teams are currently investigating to fix this issue."

Amazon has unveiled a bizarre home surveillance drone that flies around your house when you're not there and keeps an eye out for intruders. Unveiled by Ring, the firm's home security arm, the Always Home Cam can fly to check if the stove is off or the window is still open while the user is away. It consists of a flying black camera, powered by rotor blades, that automatically takes off from a stationary white dock if it detects movement in the house. The drone only records when it is in the air and makes a sound when it flies, so any people in the house know it is recording. Amazon said was inspired to create a security product that could move more freely throughout the home to'give more viewpoint flexibility'.

Google has taken the wraps off of its new gaming service. Dubbed'Stadia,' the gaming platform operates entirely on the cloud and lets users'instantly' stream games on any device, without the need for pesky downloading. The service is slated to launch later this year in the U.S., U.K. and Canada, with more details about available game titles expected to come in the next few months. Stadia ditches the traditional console; instead, users can play games with their existing laptops, desktops, TVs, tablets or phones, as well as their own keyboard and mouse. No updates, no downloads,' Google said.

When Cory Burdette awoke recently to learn that Winter Storm Gia had caused a two-hour school delay in Reston, Va., he seized the chance to do a little family bonding. Plopping down in front of the TV, Burdette and his 5-year-old daughter spent the morning together playing Minecraft, the Lego-like adventure game where players construct buildings out of virtual blocks. "We play all our games together on the Xbox," he said. "In Minecraft, we both get to build a house together, find monsters and explore." The first time he fired up the game, Burdette had to wait for Minecraft to download and install on his Xbox before launching it.

It's called "Yeti," and it's the code name attached to an intriguing rumor about Google's gaming ambitions that emerged this week. The rumor suggests the company is developing its own cloud-based gaming service and home console. As The Information reported, the so-called service would stream games into users' homes from remote servers, allowing users to play on a Chromecast or a new console made by Google. A game console from Google could be a big deal, akin to how Microsoft transformed the gaming business after launching the Xbox in 2001. Still, this week's reporting offered scant details how Google's gaming service might work, what its hardware might look like, and when we'll see the fruits of these efforts.