Cloud gaming demystified: all about this revolutionary technology!
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Not so long ago PONG existed…
Indeed, PONG is considered one of the first consumer video games, launched in 1972 by the American company Atari. It was a virtual tennis game, where players controlled rackets on a black and white screen and bounced a ball from side to side. Despite its simplicity, PONG was a huge commercial success and helped popularize video games at the time. Since then, water has flowed under the bridge and video games have transformed into a colossal industry with breathtaking technology leading to platforms such as xbox cloud gaming !
What is cloud gaming?
In recent years, we have witnessed the emergence of a revolutionary new technology: the cloud gaming. Cloud gaming is a method of video gaming that allows gamers to access games directly from a remote server, rather than running them on a local machine. Players no longer need a powerful computer to be able to play the latest games and necessary software.
How does cloud gaming work?
Cloud gaming is made possible through ‘data streaming’, which allows users to stream games from a remote server. Once the data stream is established, instructions for the computer running the game are continuously sent to the player and game updates are downloaded automatically.
What are the benefits of cloud gaming?
Cloud gaming presents several benefits compared to other forms of video games:
- access to a games library bigger ;
- no need to expensive hardware ;
- no need to downloads neither of updates ;
- smooth gaming experience ;
- Possibility of play everywhere.
Cloud gaming: disadvantages
Despite its many advantages, cloud gaming has a few disadvantages which deserve to be highlighted:
- addiction to a Internet connection ;
- high costs ;
- lack of control.
Cloud gaming: which streaming game service to choose in 2023?
In 2023, there are several cloud gaming services worth considering depending on your needs and preferences. Here are some options to consider.
Goodbye Google Stadia!
Launched in 2019, Google Stadia is a game streaming service from Google. It allows gamers to play games in high definition on a variety of devices, including:
- THE laptop ;
- THE smart tvs ;
- THE tablets ;
- THE smartphones.
Google Stadia offers a games library constantly expanding and offers monthly subscriptions as well as games for purchase. However, having failed to stand out in the market, Google announced the Stadia closing in 2021.
GeForce Now
GeForce Now is a game streaming service offered by NVIDIA. It allows gamers to play games on their own game library on NVIDIA servers. GeForce Now is compatible with a variety of devices, including:
- THE computer ;
- THE mac ;
- THE android devices ;
- THE televisions smart.
The service offers monthly subscriptions as well as time-limited free play sessions.
Xbox Cloud Gaming (with Game Pass)
Xbox Cloud Gaming is a game streaming service from Microsoft which allows gamers to play Xbox games on a variety of devices, including laptops, tablets, and smartphones. The service is included in the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, which also offers access to an ever-expanding library of games. It is recommended that you research and compare the different options available based on your gaming preferences and needs.
Sony Playstation Plus Premium
It should be specified that Sony Playstation Plus Premium is not a full-fledged cloud gaming service, but rather a subscription service which offers some additional benefits to PlayStation gamers. That said, the Playstation Plus subscription also offers a number of benefits that gamers might be interested in.
The case of Shadow (Blade): from cloud computing to cloud gaming
Shadow by Blade is a cloud gaming service based on technology from cloud computing. Unlike other cloud gaming services that offer a library of games to stream, Shadow provides users with access to a virtual machine in the cloud, with hardware performance similar to that of a high-end gaming PC. The Shadow service allows players to connect to their virtual machine from a computer, smartphone, tablet or TV decoder. This virtual console runs all the games, applications and software that the user wants to use, which means that they can play any PC game they own, including those not available on other cloud gaming services. The benefit of this approach is that Shadow can deliver superior gaming performance over other cloud gaming services because the virtual machine is entirely dedicated to the user and has high-end hardware And customizable.
Is cloud gaming the future of video games?
Although cloud gaming is booming, it’s still hard to predict what the future of gaming will look like. Cloud gaming services offer a flexible solution and scalable to gamers, which can adapt to their gaming preferences and needs. Additionally, technology is still in development and platforms continue to innovate to deliver enhanced experiences for gamers. However, despite all this progress, cloud gaming will not be able to completely supplant traditional gaming systems and is unlikely to supplant them in the future. The key will be finding the right balance between traditional console systems and cloud gaming to provide gamers with a rich and diverse experience.
