Will Cloud Gaming Revolutionise the Gaming Industry?

The History of Video Gaming

The first video title that many people know is OXO. It appeared in 1952 and was the forerunner of the ‘Tic Tac Toe’ we know today. The competition was played against the computer. Before it started, players could choose whether they wanted to use X or O. The goal was to place three of their symbols in a row without the AI interrupting the row with the other symbol. The first player to manage this on the field emerged as the winner. OXO was created as part of a promotion and, due to its high technical requirements, could usually only be played at universities that had the necessary equipment.

In 1958, the first multiplayer title was designed, named ‘Tennis for Two.’ This was played on a small device controlled by buttons. The aim was to move a paddle so the ball didn’t leave the screen. Initially, it was played against the computer and was only available at universities and similar institutions.

The 1970s

In the 1970s, the first video title appeared that was mass-produced and thus accessible to the general population. Pong took over the mechanics of ‘Tennis for Two’ but could be played on coin-operated machines. In the further course of the 70s, companies like Atari emerged and developed titles that could be enjoyed at home. In 1979, Atari made a breakthrough with ‘Space Invaders.’ This simple title can still be found on the market today in modified form. Usually, the player has to try to shoot as many opponents as possible by moving their character back and forth on a horizontal plane.

The Advent of the Home Computer

Around 1980, the mass-market home computer came onto the market, which had a lasting impact on video games. From that moment on, there were two different types of video game. On the one hand, the classic console game and, on the other hand, an increasing number of games developed for the home computer. This is how a parallel development took its course, which has continued to this day. In the meantime, different gaming cultures have developed around the respective devices, which share a love of video games but rely on very different technical conditions. A major advantage of computer gaming is backwards compatibility. With a modern computer, you can still play games from the last 20 years, whereas with a console, in most cases, you can only enjoy those titles that were made specifically for that console.

Nintendo Conquers the Gaming Market

After a severe collapse of the gaming industry around 1983, which was mainly due to the flooding of the market with low-quality games, Nintendo managed to establish itself first in Japan and later in America and Europe. With games like Super Mario Bros and the NES, Nintendo managed to usher in a new era of video gaming. At the beginning of the 1990s, the first handheld consoles such as the Game Boy or the Atari Lynx came onto the market, making video gaming even more convenient, exciting and popular. Other manufacturers followed suit over time, and consoles such as the Playstation 2, the Xbox and the Gamecube came onto the market.

The 2000s

In the first decade of the new century, the gaming market changed dramatically. Now, consoles were coming out that made the game almost realistic. In 2005, the Xbox 360, the Playstation 3 and the Wii came onto the market. These consoles enticed with unprecedented HD graphics and the distinctive gaming experiences that went with them. Then came the Nintendo DS, which is considered the first handheld console with a touchscreen and also brought about a number of changes here.

The Smartphone

The last truly fundamental development to emerge in recent years is the development of the smartphone, which is suitable for the masses. These mobile devices, which have become an indispensable part of our everyday lives, have become a popular platform for developers to expand their product range. There are now around 2 million games for our daily companions. You can even gamble on your smartphone. If you are interested in this, take a look at casino Crusino. Here you can find free spins and no deposit bonuses. Statistics show that almost one in four people now plays games on their smartphones on a regular basis. This means that the mobile phone has long since left traditional consoles and computers behind as video game devices.

The Gaming Industry in Transition

As you can see, like almost every other area of leisure activities, video gaming has changed dramatically in recent years. What started out on small, low-performance devices and was only accessible to those who had the necessary equipment has since developed into a huge industry that generated a turnover of 1.17 billion euros in 2020 alone. At least one console can now be found in one in three households, and this type of leisure activity is particularly popular with young people. So far, several million titles have been released, which can be categorised into a wide range of genres. The graphics of new video games are becoming more and more sophisticated, which means that the demands on technology are also increasing. These days, it is no longer even necessary to go to your nearest games shop to get a new game; instead, the latest games can be purchased, downloaded and played directly via platforms such as Steam. But that requires a lot of storage space. In recent years, an alternative has emerged that attempts to circumvent this problem and move video gaming entirely to the internet. In the following, we will show you what cloud gaming is, what future opportunities it offers and what changes it will bring to the gaming industry.

What is Cloud Gaming?

In terms of graphics and the overall experience, cloud gaming is actually not much different from traditional video entertainment. The process remains the same, but it is greatly simplified. As a player, you find a title you are interested in and decide to play it. There are various ways to proceed. You could go to a video store, purchase the title on the spot, or order it online. However, this involves a relatively large amount of effort and waiting time for both the provider and you as the buyer. Another option, as mentioned, is using platforms like Steam to purchase and download the title online. In the future, though, you’ll probably have another choice: cloud gaming. If you have the right hardware, you can access the title of your choice over the internet, for a fee of course. You don’t need to download anything and, in theory, you won’t even need free storage space on your device. The content runs, so to speak, on an external server that receives and executes your commands and inputs, sending sound and video signals to your computer. This means you can enjoy a full experience without having to install or download any software.

What are the Advantages of Cloud Gaming?

Cloud gaming is currently the most user-friendly way to enjoy a video experience. You don't need to go through intermediaries or wait for files to download when you want to try something new. Simply connect your device to the internet, make a small payment, and you can dive into the action right away. One of the main advantages is that, in theory, you don't need a lot of storage space to enjoy a new title. This removes the usual hardware requirements—meaning you don't need the latest computer or top-of-the-line graphics card to play.

Put simply, you don't need to worry about system requirements, driver updates, compatibility issues, or upcoming updates. All of this maintenance is handled by the cloud gaming provider. Another noticeable benefit is the time savings cloud gaming brings. Since the provider manages updates and installs them at their data centers, you avoid the long waits associated with updates and installations.

Are There Any Disadvantages Associated with Cloud Gaming?

There are, of course, some drawbacks to streaming video experiences. The most significant disadvantage compared to traditional video gaming is the reliance on a stable internet connection. Since everything is streamed online, an unstable connection can result in laggy visuals and frustrating delays. Before fully transitioning to cloud gaming, it's essential to ensure your internet connection is fast and reliable. A higher data transfer rate increases the likelihood of enjoying a smooth and seamless experience.

Another downside is the limited duration of access. With cloud gaming, you're essentially purchasing a time-limited license to use a game, rather than owning it outright. This means you make regular payments to maintain access, but there's no guarantee that your favorite title will stay available indefinitely. If the provider decides to remove it from their offerings, there's little you can do about it.

Negative Impact on the Gaming Experience

Another disadvantage is that there may well be some minor restrictions to the gaming experience. However, these are also clearly communicated by most providers. For example, most offers are currently still limited to 1080p graphics, which could well be a thorn in the side for more demanding gamers. In addition, slight delays can be expected between user input and game actions. Although the providers are making great strides in keeping such delays to a minimum, it is unlikely that they will be able to eliminate them altogether.

The Best Cloud Gaming Providers

Google Stadia, as the name suggests, comes directly from the tech giant Google. This means that all computing operations run on Google's servers. The titles Stadia offers can be easily played via the Chrome browser. However, any compatible gamepad can be used for control, as can a traditional mouse and keyboard. It is said that Stadia is a pioneer, especially in terms of latency, i.e. the delay between input and response, and is well ahead of the competition in this respect. In addition, Google Stadia is currently one of the few providers whose streams support 4K resolution.

Google Stadia offers two different subscription formats. Stadia Base is free to use, but currently only offers a choice of two titles in 1080p resolution. Stadia Pro, on the other hand, can be tested for free for two months and then costs 9.99$ per month. However, the player can access the full graphics resources and enjoy all available content in 4K resolution.

GeForce Now is also one of the best-known cloud gaming providers. Here, too, players can enjoy selected free titles that can even be accessed in 4K format for a monthly fee. As with Google Stadia, GeForce Now offers a free option for playing the available content. However, this seems less attractive as the maximum duration is limited to one hour. Furthermore, the experience in this case involves waiting for free server space.

So, Can We Talk About a Revolution in the Gaming Industry?

Cloud gaming is still a relatively immature technology that is constantly evolving. Fundamentally, this format of video streaming has the potential to revolutionise the way we experience games. Advantages like lower technical requirements and the ability to play anywhere, even with demanding titles, are promising. However, drawbacks such as input latency, limited user licences, and, most notably, heavy reliance on a stable internet connection, are hindering its widespread adoption, especially given the current state of high-performance internet infrastructure. In a few years, though, it’s very possible that streaming games will become as common as streaming TV shows and movies, replacing traditional methods of playing. With this in mind, it’s easy to see that cloud gaming could eventually transform the entire industry.

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