NVIDIA expands GeForce NOW with an RTX 5080-powered Toronto server and new game updates

NVIDIA is stepping up its GeForce NOW cloud gaming push in Canada, announcing a new data center server for the service that it says will bring GeForce RTX 5080-class performance closer to players in the Toronto region. In a post dated July 9, the company said the new server will roll out “within days,” expanding what it calls dedicated high-performance streaming for members across the area.

At the center of the announcement is NVIDIA’s plan to run cloud sessions on RTX 5080-powered hardware. NVIDIA linked that upgraded capacity to “Ultimate” tier streaming performance, describing support for up to 4K resolution and beyond on supported ultrawide displays, with targets of up to 120 frames per second. The company also pointed to technologies used in its gaming stack, including NVIDIA DLSS (a feature that uses AI to improve performance and image quality), ray tracing (for more realistic lighting and reflections), and NVIDIA Reflex (to reduce input latency).

NVIDIA framed the Toronto server as an attempt to reduce friction for players by improving the geographic reach of its high-end cloud hardware. The company said the new system will place “dedicated high performance in the cloud closer to members across the region,” a change aimed at improving responsiveness and overall streaming experience for games played through the GeForce NOW app.

The rollout is paired with a slate of content updates on the platform. NVIDIA singled out NTE: Neverness to Everness, saying the game is receiving a version 1.2 update titled “999 Nights.” According to NVIDIA, the update introduces a “massive gameplay evolution” and adds a permanent game mode set on the Warren Continent, with a dedicated progression system designed to give the experience a lasting structure.

NVIDIA also described new characters and customization changes as part of the NTE: Neverness to Everness update. It said the version debut includes characters Shinku and Iroi, and it highlighted an “unprecedented fashion upgrade” that adds 19 new character outfits. For gameplay expansion, NVIDIA pointed to additional exploration and combat variety through the debut of a new motorcycle vehicle, Draco, which it described as a “revolutionary” addition for combat strategy and high-speed traversal.

Another element NVIDIA called out is input expansion for mobile play. The company said GeForce NOW will “soon” roll out native touch controls for NTE: Neverness to Everness, designed to let players explore using supported mobile devices without relying on external controllers or desktop-style input methods. NVIDIA reiterated that players can jump between devices via the GeForce NOW app, continuing the adventure without downloads, extra storage, or additional expensive hardware.

Beyond NTE: Neverness to Everness, NVIDIA said three new games are joining the GeForce NOW library this week. The company’s post provided background on one of those additions, Granblue Fantasy: Relink, describing the Endless Ragnarok expansion. NVIDIA said the expansion brings new story content involving Ragnalia, new foes including Beelzebub, and additional ways to play that include summon abilities, co-op quest tiers, and a solo mode. It also referenced “Master traits” as a customization system for characters.

NVIDIA’s GeForce NOW announcements reflect a broader strategy in the cloud gaming market: treating streaming latency, resolution targets, and device flexibility as differentiators rather than trying to compete purely on game catalogs. By investing in geographically distributed servers and pairing them with higher-end GPU-class compute, companies can offer a consistent “console-like” experience across PCs, Macs, handhelds, mobile devices, and TVs, at least for supported titles and member tiers.

Still, there are details the company did not fully quantify in the announcement. It did not specify which specific “RTX 5080” configurations are installed in the Toronto environment, whether availability depends on peak-hour capacity, or how performance may vary by game and device. It also did not provide a date for the native touch controls launch beyond “coming soon,” nor did it describe how quickly the Toronto server expansion will reach all regions of the surrounding metro area within Canada.

For players and the market, the next question is whether the server addition translates into measurable improvements in streaming performance and device usability, especially during high-demand hours. NVIDIA’s update also sets up a near-term watch item: the timing and rollout scope of touch controls for NTE: Neverness to Everness, which could indicate whether NVIDIA is prioritizing cloud-to-mobile ergonomics alongside raw graphics upgrades.