The Way of the Future? A Few Benefits of Cloud Gaming
As time moves on, there are more and more different ways to enjoy all manner of video games, from a range of different devices, and at a variety of different price options as well.
With the recent advances in the sophistication of mobile technology, it’s already now the case that some highly acclaimed classics of yesteryear, such as Star Wars: Knights of The Old Republic 2, can now be downloaded and played directly from your tablet.
At the same time, a new generation of consoles has just hit the market – stock shortages notwithstanding – and many new PC games are taking advantage of hardware specs that would have been unthinkable even a few years ago.
Out of all the recent trends in gaming, however, high-performance cloud-based gaming has really taken off in the last few months, with Google’s Stadia platform becoming known as one of the best ways to play Cyberpunk 2077 with minimal performance issues, and with NVidia’s GeForce Now bringing games from users Steam libraries to the cloud.
Despite a lot of the controversy surrounding cloud gaming, could it be the way of the future?
Here are a few benefits of cloud gaming.
The Growing Prospect of Being Able to Play all of the Games You Already Own Without Buying Them Again
Importantly, this point doesn’t apply to Google Stadia, and nor will it apply to Amazon’s Luna platform, or various other cloud gaming platforms.
Nonetheless, there are already signs at this early stage that cloud gaming may allow the average gamer – with a well-stocked library of games on Steam, GOG, and other gaming distribution services – to play their games in a range of different formats, and on a range of different devices, without purchasing them again.
GeForce NOW already runs on this model and supports a growing selection of games from Steam, the Epic Store, and GOG, with users only having to log into their accounts to confirm their ownership of supported games, in order to play them via the cloud with max specs.
Shadow PC is a cloud service that is taking this approach even further, by giving users access to a high-powered Windows 10 PC via the cloud, that they can not only install all of their games on, from any Windows compatible gaming platform but can also install and access other software programs, as well.
One of the main criticisms of more “locked in” cloud gaming platforms like Stadia, is that they involve you buying your games again on a platform that may well not be around in a few years. But there’s another side of the coin, too, where cloud gaming may actually save gamers from having to buy all their games again, as they often do if they want to play across devices.
No More Need to Spend Money on Regular Computer Upgrades and New Consoles
Gaming is not exactly a cheap hobby, at least if you’re trying to play the newest AAA games with good settings.
Either your options are to spend a substantial amount of money on a new console every few years, or else to go the all-in route and build yourself an expensive high-end gaming PC, which will require frequent hardware upgrades on a significantly more regular basis.
Even if you have the money to spend, you may well have little time or patience for setting up and maintaining your PC, dealing with unexpected issues with your console, ensuring that the latest patch is installed, and all the rest.
Cloud gaming platforms handle the hardware side of things behind the scenes, upgrading their equipment regularly, and handling any bugs and fixes “on-site” so that you don’t have to.
If you want a low-stress and more cost-effective way of doing things, cloud gaming may be the perfect approach for you – as long as you have a high speed and stable Internet connection, of course.
Playing Games on Any Device
These days, our mobile devices are increasingly becoming a central part of our everyday lives. Among other things, that has motivated a broader awareness of the importance of staying safe on your mobile device, But it’s also meant that many people now want to be able to play more demanding games and mobile devices, too.
The great thing about cloud gaming platforms is that they allow you to play extremely resource-hungry games on any device, as long as you have access to a good enough Internet connection.
Yes, that means you really can play Red Dead Redemption 2 on your 3 year old smartphone or tablet.
Location Independent Gaming
Sometimes, you just want to be able to play your games without having your console or computer at hand, with instant access to your saves, and all the rest.
Cloud gaming makes this dream a reality and ensures that – as long as you have good enough Internet access – you can pull out your phone, tablet, or laptop in a hotel, miles from home when traveling for work, and still getting a great gaming session in during your off time.
Minimalistic and Space-Efficient
If you live in a small apartment, or simply don’t have much space in your home for a full computer setup, or a console or TV, cloud gaming offers you a minimalistic and space efficient solution.
With cloud gaming, your “gaming setup” could be as simple as a tablet and a wireless controller, nonetheless giving you access to the latest and most engaging titles on the market.
As more and more people these days are looking for ways to exercise a bit of minimalism in their personal lives, and to reduce the stress and frustration that so often goes with being in a cluttered environment, this might very well be a game-changer.
Of course, that’s not to say that you can’t also use many cloud gaming platforms with your TV or connected to a projector, as well, if you’re after a more “premium” experience.
