Future of Cloud Gaming

With the latest technologies in the gaming industry, the user trends have also changed. 

 

That being said, players now prefer comfortability and accessibility while playing games. They want to access games without spending much data on the game systems. Not only that, but they want to access any game through streaming without having consoles. 

 

At this point, cloud gaming gets stronger. It is also one of the reasons that game developers and publishers are shifting towards making their games available on streaming. 

 

This blog focuses on the future of cloud gaming, pros and cons, explanations of game libraries and genres, and its trends.

 

Let’s discuss them. 

 

Key Stakeholders in Cloud Gaming 

 

The key stakeholders in cloud gaming are categorized into three types: cloud gaming platforms, game developers and publishers, and internet service providers. 

 

To get more into the details of cloud gaming stakeholders, here is the description below:

 

 

Cloud Gaming Platforms 

 

These platforms are one of the most used and accessed platforms across the players. These are not the service providers only that allow you to stream games. But also as content providers with a number of games available on the streaming platforms. It also offers its subscribers games, gaming bundles, and subscription passes. They include Google Stadia, GeForce Now, PlayStation Now, and Xbox Game Pass.

 

Game developers and publishers

 

Many big developers and publishers are also shifting their focus towards cloud gaming. 

 

As it is more accessible for the players, game publishers are trying to focus their game development and publishing through online browsing and other streaming services (such as subscription models for businesses). They make and publish the games provided by the content services. 

 

The names include Activision, Tencent, and Ubisoft. 

 

Internet Service Providers 

 

It would not be wrong to say that ISPs have become the backbone of cloud gaming. The main aim of ISPs for cloud gaming is to provide high-speed and low-latency connections so that the users can play the games without interruption.

 

The top names of the internet service providers of cloud gaming include Xfinity, Comscat, and Verizon. 

 

Internet service providers optimize network routes and invest in advanced technology to prioritize gaming traffic, ensuring minimal lag and latency for gamers. 

 

Expansion of Game Libraries and Genres in Cloud Gaming 

 

Cloud gaming is not limited as the key stakeholders are making it diverse with game libraries, a wide range of genres, and cross-platform compatibility. Here is what you need to know about the expansion of game libraries and genres in cloud gaming:

 

Diverse Game Libraries

 

As the user base of cloud gaming platforms increases, there has been a transformation in making it diverse. Now, cloud gaming platforms are rapidly expanding their game libraries to include various titles from different genres, catering to diverse player preferences. From casual games to AAA games, you will find almost all categories easily. 

 

Indie Game Inclusion

 

Who says indie games are not worth anything?

 

On the cloud gaming platforms, indie games have also marked their name. These platforms have indie games and support independent developers by featuring their titles in their libraries, promoting diversity and innovation in gaming.

 

Classic Game Revival

 

Not all like to play the newly launched games. 

 

Some players prefer to keep playing their old games. Is it possible with cloud gaming?

 

Yes! 

 

Cloud gaming platforms are reviving classic games from previous generations, allowing players to revisit old titles and introducing iconic games to new audiences, making them inclusive for everyone.

 

Pros and Cons of Cloud Gaming

 

Even though cloud gaming has become popular among the gaming community, it has pros and cons. Let's take a look at its pros and cons. 

 

 

Accessibility

 

Players want to access the games at any time without any disturbance. With cloud gaming, players get the privilege of accessing their favorite games on various devices and platforms, such as mobile phones, tablets, and smart TVs, without the need for powerful hardware.

 

It makes the game accessible to a broader audience. Game developers and publishers can generate more revenue and increase their user acquisition through this. 

 

Convenience and Affordability 

 

The technology of cloud gaming enables the players to stream the game directly from the cloud. This reduces the need for heavy memory and storage spaces and deals with other technical aspects such as hardware setup, cooling, and troubleshooting.

 

Enhanced graphics and performance

 

Cloud gaming uses high-performance servers, transferring heavy loads and processing powers to the remote server. It improves the overall game performance and quality and produces high-fidelity and higher frames even if the device has limited hardware capabilities. Cloud infrastructure is built in a way that it can handle demanding computational tasks and can deliver high-performance games to users.

 

Cons of Cloud Gaming 

 

Even though cloud gaming gives a number of benefits to the users, it has its own limitations that come with the cons. Let's take a brief look at them. 

 

Internet Dependency

 

As we discussed the benefit of accessibility, there is a doubt regarding dependency on the internet. 

 

As we know, cloud gaming relies heavily on a high-speed, stable internet connection. If you have a slow-speed internet connection, you may experience lag and latency issues, input lag, or interruptions in gameplay, which can negatively impact the gaming experience.

 

Cloud gaming requires a large amount of bandwidth as it directly impacts the user experience. If you do have the internet connected with a larger bandwidth, then it can be a severe issue for your gameplay experience, and you might not like it.

 

Here is the latency on Shadow Platform for games streaming:

 

 

Data Usage

 

One factor that players are often concerned about is the data usage. Streaming games from the cloud consumes significant amounts of data, which may lead to high internet usage bills for players with data caps or limited broadband plans. 

 

This can be a concern for users in areas with limited internet infrastructure or expensive data plans. So, if you do not want the games to consume more data, then cloud gaming might not be suitable for you.

 

Quality

 

We all have to agree about the fact that the gameplay experience is reliant on the quality of game visuals. 

 

If the game's visual quality is not up to the mark, you will probably not like it much and leave the game midway. 

 

With cloud gaming, there are chances of experiencing quality issues in the game. It depends on factors such as server load, network congestion, and hardware compatibility. Players may encounter occasional performance issues or inconsistencies in graphics and gameplay quality.

 

Cloud Gaming Expertise 

 

Are you looking to create immersive game experiences that can give your audience the perfect game for the cloud gaming technology?

 

InvoGames has always helped companies develop immersive AR/VR games and cloud games that allow players to access their games.

 

Get in touch with us today and discuss your project!