Cloud technology has transformed the world’s digital landscape, and one of the most notable areas of influence is the gaming industry. In the past 10 years, streaming games from the cloud has gone from a basic idea to a booming industry. The beauty of cloud gaming is that it has made gaming more accessible than ever, as you can have a list of popular game titles in front of you at the touch of a button. This eliminates the need for the new and latest expensive gaming console or computer. Cloud gaming is the perfect example of how innovation and technology are being used to create the most streamlined user experience possible.
How Cloud Gaming Works
The way cloud gaming operates is that players can run games off a remote server and stream them directly to their device of choice, whether it is a smartphone, smart TV, or laptop. With regular console gaming, players run into the issue of not having enough storage on their devices. Cloud gaming eliminates the need to download large files, as players with a stable internet connection have access to many titles via the cloud. It is a very similar concept to video streaming services, but for the gaming industry, and it is creating new opportunities for both developers and players.
Accessing Through the Cloud
Traditional gaming requires users to have a system that is powerful enough to run the games they want to play; this means having high-powered processors and graphics cards. Cloud gaming removes these barriers by making the cloud do the majority of the work for you. This allows players who are running on a budget to have access to the biggest and latest titles in gaming, without the need to have the newest and most expensive gaming system.
Fast Internet is Essential
Internet speeds have never been faster than they are now, and with the introduction of 5G networks, this has led to greatly reduced latency, and the improvement in the internet allows for smoother and faster gameplay.
Developers are now starting to produce games with cloud gaming being a huge factor considered in the creation process. This is so they can bring in as many players to their game as possible, and the number of player limitations is decreasing.
Subscription Models in Gaming
Subscription models have become the basis of cloud gaming platforms. Services such as PlayStation Plus and Xbox Cloud Gaming provide users with instant access to a huge library of games for a monthly fee. Think of this as Spotify or Netflix, but for gaming, so instead of having to buy games individually, you’re paying for a catalog of games. This method has kept players engaged because there are always new games added at a consistent rate, from the latest title to an old-school classic.
Benefits for Developers
Cloud gaming not only benefits players, but it has also had a huge positive impact on how developers produce games. There is no longer a need to develop a game so that it can run on a specific hardware; studios can focus on creativity and innovation. This supports faster development for games and reduces the compatibility issues that come with cross-platform gaming.
Personalization in Cloud Gaming
With the integration of big data and artificial intelligence, platforms can now analyze playing habits and recommend games that tailor to individual tastes. This personalization mirrors other industries; for example, a casino bonus can be given to players based on their previous choices in games. This personalization makes for a smoother gaming experience, as one of the issues gamers face is finding new games that they would like to play. So, with cloud gaming, recommending titles based on your previous choices makes for more seamless gaming.
The Challenges with Cloud Gaming
The biggest issue facing cloud gaming is internet accessibility in rural and underdeveloped regions. Cities have benefited massively from their advanced infrastructure. However, some areas still struggle with bandwidth limitations, limiting their cloud gaming experience. Another issue currently is that cloud gaming consumes a lot of data. For example, players using their mobile data to stream games could end up consuming the majority of their data, which can end up costing players a significant amount. However, data providers have addressed this issue and are working on ways to reduce the amount of data consumption.
The Future Looks Bright
Although there are currently issues that affect cloud gaming, the development in a short period of time has been very significant. The potential it offers to the gaming industry is very clear, and it will only improve as developers find more ways to use streaming to their advantage.
