GeForce Now is taking huge steps backward as a result of Nvidia losing a few key publishers. The recently launched service, considered one of the best platforms in the burgeoning game streaming market, relies on deals with game makers to maintain the viability of its unique approach to cloud gaming. These publisher departures create some potentially massive holes in their content offering.

GeForce Now represents the best PC alternative to Google Stadia. Like Stadia, it's a service that allows users to play a selection of video games through a streaming video feed online. Since streaming doesn't require a ton of processing power, this option makes it possible to play complex, big-budget games on a variety of devices, such as phones and tablets. Unlike Stadia, Nvidia's Geforce Now doesn't sell any games. Instead, it allows users to play games they already own from other PC storefronts like Steam, without being tethered to their home PC. This important distinction is perhaps the primary reason Nvidia may have the edge on Google in the streaming marketplace, but it could also be a reason for the service's recent stretch of bad news.

Related: All Bethesda Games But Wolfenstein Youngblood Leave Nvidia GeForce Now

After losing access to Activision's library of titles earlier this month, GeForce Now has also been abandoned by Bethesda. The DoomSkyrim, and Fallout publisher isn't expected to publicly explain their motivation, but subscribers and industry insiders suspect the platform's business model is to blame. By not offering a store in which to sell games, GeForce Now can't guarantee additional sales revenue to publishers who allow their games on the service. Given that Bethesda left Wolfenstein: Youngblood (their newest game) active, this could also be another licensing mix up as was the case with Activision's departure.

Can GeForce Now Survive

Nvidia-GeForce-Now-Logo

Without major titles like Skyrim, GeForce Now could still prove successful in the long term. Ironically, the service's biggest strengths lie in the failures of its competition. Cloud gaming on PC is still a two-horse race between Google Stadia and GeForce Now, and Google is lagging in terms of public perception and customer satisfaction. Simply put, GeForce now is still a better deal for players. Its system of streaming a user's existing library of games solves Stadia's problem of failing to convince people to buy inferior versions of games they likely own elsewhere, only to have them locked on one platform.

GeForce Now's other advantage is an intriguing free subscription tier. As more people grow to consider game streaming as a viable option in the near future, it will be hard to pass on the service that allows them to try things out before committing any money. By comparison, Stadia costs $129 to get in the door, and still requires purchasing games at full price beyond that. Unless Google makes major changes to Stadia's business model, PC gamers interested in cloud gaming would still be better served by GeForce Now.

Next: Every Phone You Can Play Google Stadia On