A new trend in the gaming industry is threatening to redefine the way people interact with the medium. By leveraging the high speeds of modern internet connections and advances in cloud technology, issues like compatibility and hardware restrictions could be a thing of the past.

Cloud gaming is a growing trend in gaming that gives players access to their favorite video games through streaming. It’s a promising technological trend, but it’s not without its hickups. Let’s take a closer look at what cloud gaming is, its uses and advantages, and its possible future.

How Cloud Gaming Works

The basic concept of cloud-stream gaming is fairly simple. It’s typically accessed through a cloud gaming platform, such as Xbox Cloud Gaming. Once there, users can pick from a seemingly endless array of video games, regardless of their platform compatibility or hardware requirements.

The platform then connects the user to a separate device that’s actually running the game. Essentially, the game itself and its data are not on the user’s device – they’re out there in what is proverbially called the ‘cloud’. 

Instead of running the game locally, the user is actually interacting with a real-time stream. They control the game and interact with it as they would normally, but without straining their hardware or having to own or install it.

Interestingly, this is not the first time we’ve seen streaming technology used for two-way communication in entertainment. Similar concepts have been used for decades in live interactive casino games, which are often called live dealer tables. These live online casinos connect users to interactive streams of table games from all over the world, allowing them to instantly play authentic versions of blackjack, roulette, and similar games. 

Though the concept is similar, cloud-based video gaming is a bit more complicated because it needs to be much faster and more reactive to provide a solid user experience. Though not without limitations, cloud gaming might well be an interesting service that will shape the future of gaming.

Uses & Advantages

By now, some of you are probably wondering – what’s the point? Wouldn’t it be easier to just launch the game on the local device as normal and be done with it?

With that in mind, here are some important advantages of cloud gaming to consider:

• No hardware requirements – Modern computer games can be prohibitively difficult to run, requiring expensive hardware that not everyone is willing to invest in. Cloud gaming maintains minimal technical requirements, allowing pretty much anyone to access any game ever released.
• No device compatibility issues – Most video games are limited in terms of which platforms they’ll run. Cloud gaming completely removes this hurdle – you can stream any game on pretty much any device. Want to play that Xbox exclusive on your Android phone? Go for it!
• Game availability – Getting your hands on a game to play is not always as straightforward as simply buying it. Not only are some titles restricted in certain countries and areas, but let’s face it – you can’t and probably shouldn’t own every game that hits the shelves. A cloud gaming service gives you instant access to thousands of titles as long as you maintain a single, affordable subscription.
• Convenience – Cloud gaming services are also conveniently accessible at any time, from any place. You also don’t have to worry about downloading, installing, or troubleshooting the games themselves – you just pick what you want to play and get right to it.

Current Market Stats

The current Cloud Gaming Market is valued at over 15.74 billion USD, which represents a massive growth from 2020. In fact, the market shows a CAGR of over 45% over the past five years, which makes it one of the fastest-growing trends in gaming.

This growth has also attracted the attention of major players in the industry. The idea of cloud gaming started out as a niche, novelty project. However, with the likes of Microsoft’s Xbox Cloud Gaming and Nvidia’s GeForce NOW entering the fray, this niche is raking in big capital and is preparing for an even bigger future.

The Future – Trends & Predictions

The market is projected to grow to US$28.60bn by 2032, indicating that the growth is only expected to speed up.

There are several reasons for this rapid increase, ranging from the overall growth of gaming since the COVID-19 pandemic to the increased availability of high-speed internet access.

More interestingly, though, this seemingly endless ability to scale also ties in to increasing demands for mobile gaming solutions. Although mobile gaming has been hailed for its massive revenue potential, traditional gamers are still critical of it and its overall approach to business and product design. Cloud-based gaming is a possible solution to bridge this gap by promising AAA-tier gaming experiences on any device.

Conclusion

Cloud gaming leverages advances in internet and streaming technology to make gaming more accessible and convenient. Although promising, the technology still has a few hurdles to overcome.

However, the concept and the tech are both promising and marketable due to their focus on user experiences and accessibility. Moreover, this potential is supported by the previous successes of similar technologies, such as live casino gaming.

The cloud gaming industry is projected to grow at a rapid pace in the coming years. Although it’s hard to say that it will supplant the traditional channels for gaming any time soon, it might just set a new gold standard in how games are consumed and experienced.