People have been playing games online since the early days of the internet. However, it’s gotten to the point where cloud gaming is taking more and more of the gaming marketplace. The technology has gotten better, and innovations like wifi and fiber optics mean that you can have the same experience streaming video games that you can buying them for a console. As a market, it’s projected to hit $8 billion by 2025.
Cloud gaming is when a game is streamed on the internet through a cloud server. Usually a gamer signs up for a service, and it allows them to play a game on any device they choose, as long as it’s compatible. The games you play on your phone are cloud games, for example. Many services on the web offer game downloads and streaming as well. The fact is, the cloud concept has changed the way we do business and live our lives, and it’s well on its way to changing how we play games. Is the future of gaming cloud based? Yes, and here’s why.
It’s Affordable
Cloud gaming is generally more affordable than console games. It’s not very often you can find games for consoles that are cheap. However, many sites and service providers offer free games download, or deep discounts. If you were to go on the app store service for your phone, you’d find hundreds of games for free or only a few dollars. Plus, there’s no hardware involved. The hardware is held by a cloud server, and all you have to be is the portal. There’s no need to buy a console or accessories for hundreds of dollars.
Instant Access
It’s 3:00 am. You can’t sleep. You feel like playing the new game that was just released. Or it’s the middle of the day. You’re in line at the DMV and it looks like you’re going to be there a while. How will you pass the time? In the past, you’d be out of luck and have to wait for a more appropriate time to buy a game. Now, however, with a few clicks you can be shooting, racing, running, or puzzling.
Save Space
First of all, people are able to save space in their homes by not having physical games on their shelves. Also, there is no requirement to download, so you can save space on your computer. Cloud gaming means that the game is stored in the cloud, and you access it to play it. You may have to download an app to connect to the service, but it takes up very little space on your computer, phone, or device.
You Can Play Anywhere
This is perhaps the most important part of cloud gaming, and the reason why it will define our future. People want connections immediately, no matter where they are. They want to be able to communicate with people, and they want to be able to do anything, including gaming, on the go. So now you can play games while you’re on a long road trip, by the pool, or at your cabin in the woods.
Drawbacks
There are some flaws with cloud gaming, but the improvements in technology are already making a difference. For example, streaming or downloading might not be reliable if there’s an internet connectivity problem. However, over the past couple of decades, there have been massive strides in internet speeds and reliability. 5g and fiber optics are just two of the most recent innovations, and there will be more in the coming years. Slow download speeds can also be a drawback, but again, with the improvements in technology soon they will be a thing of the past.
Nowadays, more and more things are cloud-based. We use software solutions for work and business, have our calendars synced up, and even track our walks and workouts. It’s the way of the future, and gaming is no different.
