Gaming has been one the fastest growing industry for the last 20 years, with considerable advancements in technology. The growth rate in the gaming industry shatters records continuously, and innovations keep things more exciting and fun than ever. We have seen an evolution from pixel art to 2D and 3D models in terms of graphics.
The pandemic has caused a sudden spike in the gaming industry and generated a revenue of 156 billion dollars as of September 2021. Moreover, the global video game market is predicted to cross 200 billion dollars by 2023.
Cloud gaming is a new buzzword with the potential to shake the industry. Cloud-based gaming is the next frontier in the gaming ecosystem—several major cloud providers offering their services with their own benefits and drawbacks. Companies like Amazon (Amazon Luna), Google (Stadia), and Sony (PlayStation Now) are the most common.
In this article we’ll discuss the rise of cloud gaming and how it brings a a new area of opportunity to the cloud industry. Let's get started.
What is Cloud Gaming?
Cloud gaming is a method to play video games via remote servers in data centers. With cloud gaming, there is no need to download and install games on your system or console. Instead, streaming services need a reliable internet connection for sending information to a browser or application installed on the recipient device.
You stream games like you stream a Netflix or Youtube video. It's a streaming service providing high-quality content at the cost of server capacity and internet bandwidth. Cloud gaming companies generally operate on a subscription basis, and users pay for access to the advanced system to stream content.
The Benefits of Cloud Gaming
Cloud gaming offers several benefits that have revolutionized the gaming industry. Firstly, one of the key advantages of cloud gaming is accessibility. With cloud gaming, players no longer need to invest in expensive gaming hardware or consoles.
Instead, they can stream games directly to their devices, whether it be a computer, smartphone, or even a smart TV. This makes gaming more accessible to a wider audience, as it removes the barrier of entry associated with purchasing costly gaming equipment.
Secondly, cloud gaming offers unparalleled convenience. Players no longer need to worry about downloading and installing large game files or updating them regularly. With cloud gaming, games are streamed directly from powerful servers, eliminating the need for extensive storage space on the user's device.
Additionally, cloud gaming allows for seamless mobility, as players can pick up their game progress on different devices and continue playing without any interruptions. This flexibility and convenience make cloud gaming an attractive option for gamers who value convenience and ease of use.
Lastly, cloud gaming brings forth the concept of "gaming on demand." With cloud gaming services, players have access to a vast library of games without the need to purchase them individually. Subscriptions to cloud gaming platforms provide users with a wide range of titles that they can choose from, offering a variety of genres and gameplay experiences.
This not only saves players money but also allows them to explore different games without committing to buying each one separately. Cloud gaming's game-on-demand model gives players the freedom to try new games and discover hidden gems they may not have considered before.
Cloud Providers Become A New Game Console
The widespread adoption of the cloud has changed how mobile and video games are created and played. Players can now access the latest games regardless of hardware and location. All they need is a stable internet connection.
Unlike game consoles, cloud-based games move content execution from console to cloud. For instance, Microsoft has transformed Xbox consoles into Xbox cloud gaming services running virtual Xbox boards in server farms. It delivers an experience similar to native Xbox Series X hardware that improves load times and supports streaming on large screen devices.
Similarly, Amazon launched Luna, a cloud gaming service, in October 2020. Luna uses an optional gamepad controller leveraging a separate Wi-Fi connection to minimize a game's input lag. Apart from these, Netflix has also been rumored to expand its focus toward the gaming market.
In addition, Google's Stadia combines the Google Cloud Platform (GCP) with its cloud infrastructure. However, it's difficult to determine the future of cloud gaming technology; the company's new gaming service has been recognized with a lot of features and hype.
Why is Cloud Gaming Important?
Cloud gaming has a lot of benefits not only for gamers but also for developers and publishers. Cloud gaming eliminates the up-front costs of purchasing and maintaining a powerful game console or gaming PC. Rather, you can pay a small monthly subscription fee to stream, contain and access a high-powered virtual gaming PC.
On top of that, you can access games and the saved data anywhere, as all data is stored in the cloud. You can get instant access to games on any device with a strong internet connection.
Moreover, from the developers and publisher side of things, cloud gaming is a big win as it eliminates the need for DRM and the potential for pirating since users are not downloading the games.
Cloud gaming ensures that gamers have equal access to the hardware and performance. It can be a huge benefit for online and competitive gaming and helps publishers reduce development costs.
The benefits of cloud gaming are as follows:
- Cloud gaming is a new way to offer a high-quality experience to gamers from anywhere and on any device.
- Advanced game software runs on robust servers in data centers, and the scenes flow to users across the internet in real-time.
- Users can leverage the power of a dedicated gaming PC without having to buy, build, or carry one around.
- Users can launch a real, playable game in a browser window only by clicking an advertisement.
- The load times for cloud-based games reduces based on the cloud providers' servers.
- Leveraging cloud technology in the gaming industry eliminates the need for users to have storage space, specialized hardware, and piracy issues.
Final Words
Cloud gaming is booming, and it keeps getting better with each passing day. It takes your favorite game from the server and rums it on a powerful, industrial-strength system inside a secure data center. Cloud-based gaming lets you play the latest games on almost any device with a strong internet connection.
However, there are still a lot of hurdles to cross before cloud-based games are truly accessible; it feels like we are on the way to something big. The rollout of 5G technology holds immense promise for revolutionizing the world of cloud gaming. With its lightning-fast speeds and ultra-low latency, 5G will optimize the power of cloud gaming and create an unparalleled gaming experience.
Currently, cloud gaming heavily relies on a stable internet connection to stream games from remote servers. However, with the introduction of 5G, gamers can expect an even more seamless and immersive gaming experience.
One of the key advantages of 5G technology is its incredibly low latency. Latency refers to the time it takes for data to travel from the user's device to the server and back. With 5G's low latency, gamers can enjoy near-instantaneous responses, eliminating any noticeable lag and providing a smoother gameplay experience.
This means that gamers can react quickly to in-game events and enjoy multiplayer games without any frustrating delays. Additionally, 5G's faster speeds will enable gamers to download and stream games seamlessly, reducing the wait times and allowing for uninterrupted gameplay. The rollout of 5G technology undoubtedly holds the potential to unlock the true power of cloud gaming and elevate the gaming experience to new heights.
