The Revolution Of Cloud Gaming

Overview

Streaming has usurped the movie and music industries. Now, it's spreading to the video game business. The companies promise that very soon, through the cloud, it will be possible for many people around the world to playhigh-end video gameson a tablet or phone without the need to lug around a console or PC. Once video games become easily accessible, companies are hoping it will attract new gamers, while making mobile games more sophisticated.

Edge over traditional gaming

Unlike traditional gaming, people now do not require to download any of the hefty games that is loved by so many, but instead, they can just play it online through the medium of the Cloud. If it takes off with consumers, cloud gaming could open up new markets for the industry. And several major tech companies are diving in. One of the major players is Microsoft, which demonstrated its cloud gaming technology Project xCloud and made it available for the public to try during last week's E3 video game convention. Attached to Xbox One controllers, Android phones ran games like Gears 4, Forza Horizon 4 and Halo 5. Google is also set to launch its version of cloud gaming, the Stadia, cominh out in November, which is expected to shift the dynamics of the gaming industry. Google initially announced 31 Stadia titles and it recently added several dozen more, including titles from Ubisoft and a new Avengers game. Google Stadia will work on Chrome browsers and Pixel phones, and it can stream on TVs through Chromecast.

Bye-bye consoles

The video game industry is dominated by consoles like the Xbox and the Playstation. PC gaming is also a major sector and has its own following just like console gaming. The industry is expected to take a massive hit just as the cloud gaming is made accessible to the consumers. Publishers and developers are also quite excited to jump in as the estimated profits due to cloud gaming are much higher as compared to the current state where people have to download and wait for hours to play a certain game.

The distribution of the gaming industry is also expected to change drastically. Along with it, there will no more be the need for consoles or ‘compatible’ systems. Now that gaming is turning to an online platform, the major concern will shift towards a strong internet connection. People now won’t need to worry about buying expensive hardware which will allow them to play games. But instead, they will have to secure for themselves a strong Wi-fi connection. Comparatively, A strong internet connection is much more cheap than purchasing expensive hardware for playing games. And though the hope is that cloud gaming will arrive on all platforms, it's not quite there yet. Microsoft, for example, is still working on iOS compatibility. In the future it also plans to launch touch controls for phones so someday an add-on controller may not be needed at all.