[Brief]Cloud Gaming: The Future of Video Gaming

Not only did Netflix changed the way we watch TV, but it may also change the way we play video games. It has been many months since the term Cloud Gaming returns regularly in the news. In 2014, Electronic Arts was one of the first to get started with EA Access. It was Sony's turn to launch the PlayStation Now in 2015, then Microsoft with the Xbox Game Pass on June 2017. Soon, it will be the French publisher Ubisoft who will launch its uPlay +. This new approach to the way we play video games is likely to revolutionize the market very soon. But what does Cloud Gaming consist of? This is what we will discuss in this complete file.

How does Cloud Gaming work?
Cloud Gaming allows you to play video games on different media without them causing the graphics processing. The computing power is transferred to remotely hosted servers that run the games, while simultaneously transmitting the image to the players. To enjoy such a service, you therefore just need an internet connection and a screen on which to play: a computer, a box with a TV, a smartphone or a tablet for example. By following this principle, we can play the most greedy and sophisticated games with the least powerful machines, since it is the server that takes care of everything (so very similar to Netflix, or Spotify, with a little more complex technology though).

The different approaches of Cloud Gaming
Companies offering a Cloud Gaming service adopt different strategies.

Cloud computing
For some, like Shadow, it is more about Cloud Computing, which gives access to a powerful Windows computer in the cloud, capable of playing, but also to behave like a real computer: office, data storage, photo, and video editing, etc. On this virtual machine, it is possible to install software such as Steam or Origin to access your already acquired library of games.

Game on demand
Here the service offers access to an interface allowing to play games only -- no virtual PC in the cloud needed. This type of service is less versatile since it only serves to play, but is easy to access for the general public since it allows us to ignore the download and installation of games.

Like movies and series, two forms of on-demand games exist: single games purchase, as is the case with Google Stadia, which offers a catalog of games to buy individually, or with Nvidia GeForce Now, which offers access to games already purchased on services like Steam, Uplay or Blizzard Battle.net.

The other much-awaited form is close to a "Netflix of video game" and is based on a subscription allowing unlimited access to a video game catalog, without becoming the owner. This approach allows the same immediacy and simplicity as the famous SVOD service.

Cloud Gaming services already available

Shadow by Blade

Image Credit: FrAndroid

Shadow is a cloud computing service that gives you access to a virtual machine in the cloud. It is possible to subscribe to the service and download the client on PC, Mac, Android, and iOS. Also, Shadow offers its box, the Shadow Ghost, which allows using the virtual computer on any screen, which makes it possible to completely do without a physical computer. By subscribing to the service, you access a PC in the Cloud that has this datasheet: a GPU equivalent to the GeForce GTX 1080, an Intel Xeon processor, 12 GB of RAM, 256 GB of storage (a little bit just when considering how large modern video games are) and a connection of 1 Gb/s, all under Windows 10. The company updates its components, to provide the most recent and scalable configuration possible.

It is also a relatively expensive service, but you should know that it can completely replace a physical computer. With a commitment of one year, count on a subscription to 29.95 euros (19,639XAF) per month. Also, the Shadow Ghost, which is not essential for operation, costs 119.95 euros (78,655XAF).

Sony PlayStation Now

Sony's PlayStation Now offers unlimited access to a PS2, PS3 and PS4 games catalog (allowing you to play cult PS2 or PS3 licenses such as Red Dead Redemption for example) in the Cloud for a monthly subscription. The service is accessible only from a PS4 or a Windows PC. In total, it's more than 600 games that are available in streaming with a limited image definition of 720p. Note that it is possible to download PS4 games from the catalog on a PS4 to play, even offline. With the ability to play in streaming, it is very easy to switch from one game to another without any loading time.

Besides the impossibility of accessing the service from any screen, connected TV and smartphone, we regret a catalog of games scant in recent titles, including major exclusivities of the PS4. At the moment, Sony prefers selling its games individually, rather than integrating them into a subscription.

The subscription costs 14.99 euros (9,829XAF) per month or 99.99 euros (65,566XAF) per year. The service offers a free trial period of seven days, convenient to check that everything works properly on your connection. Also, access to multiplayer games on the PlayStation Now does not require an additional subscription to PlayStation Plus.

Nvidia GeForce Now

Image Credit: FrAndroid

Still in beta, Nvidia's Cloud Gaming service only gives access to a selection of compatible games from Steam, Uplay or Battle.net gaming shops - the service only allows access to games already present in your library. This is both a strength, since it is possible to play all the games that we have already bought, and weakness since each new game is to buy individually.

Even if it is about Cloud Gaming, Nvidia still advises a minimum configuration to its users: a GPU compatible with DirectX 9, a dual-core CPU with 2 GHz and 4 GB of free space of storage. To take full advantage of the service, it is also recommended to have a minimum connection of 50 Mb/s.

Some games are said to be "optimized" by Nvidia. Understand that they are already available on Nvidia's servers, which saves the user the download and installation time. GeForce Now is currently able to display up to 1080p at 60 frames per second, if your connection allows it of course. Unfortunately, there is a lack of gaming services, like EA Origin or the Epic Game Store.

The GeForce Now service is still in beta and is offered free to those who participate. There is still no official release date on the horizon, so the service is still likely to change slightly. Shield TV is already available for sale at a price of around 199 euros (130,490XAF).

The services that are expected soon

Google Stadia

Google Stadia promises professional gaming capabilities on any configuration! Stadia works much more like Netflix in the sense where games are “streamed” from Google servers. You only need a strong internet connection and you’re good to play Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey or Destiney 2 in 4K at 60FPS, on your Google Chrome browser on your PC, smartphone and TV. Google even went as far as opening its gaming studio according to rumors -- hence you can expect Made by Google video games shortly. The configuration of Google’s servers that handle the processing are literal beasts: AMD GPU 10.7 Teraflops with 56 processing units and HBM2 memory, x86 CPU at 2,7 GHz with hyperthreading, AVX 2 and 9,5 MB cache L2+L3, 16 GB of RAM with 484 GB/s of transfer speed.

Microsoft xCloud

Microsoft is also working on its Cloud Gaming solution. The company has even made a public demonstration where we discovered a Forza Horizon 4 playable on a phone, with an Xbox One Controller. Microsoft wants to make Xbox a video game ecosystem more than an ecosystem centered around a machine. The firm would multiply partnerships with other brands, such as Samsung, or Nintendo. The service will be available in beta from October. Microsoft promises that a small ADSL connection will be sufficient. In addition to playing with a controller, Microsoft also wants the games to be playable with the touch screens of smartphones and tablets and has already demonstrated how to adapt the interface of some Xbox games.

The service is currently based on the Xbox One S, which allows to easily adapt the games compatible with the console. We do not yet know the details about the marketing of the service, nor its possible catalog.

The future of video games, but with some flaws
Presented like this, Cloud Gaming has everything to be the future of video games. Whether on a smartphone, tablet or computer (even a Mac), it becomes technically possible to play your favorite games from anywhere, and from anything.

No more need to buy the latest game console, graphics card or equip your computer with more RAM: a subscription to a Cloud Gaming service provides access to a powerful machine that we do not need to care. But above all, it's very simple: no need to download the latest drivers or optimize the display settings. Just launch the client with the game you want to play, simply.

Of course, this future is a dream for many players, but it scares a lot of other players. Because this clearly announces a change in the video game industry. What would be the interest for Sony and Microsoft to continue to make consoles that are relatively expensive and do not bring a lot of money, while services like the XCloud and Game Pass are much more related to Microsoft and are more accessible for the consumer?

Simply because the consumer is not ready. He is not ready to take the plunge and change the way he plays. But he is not technically ready either! You'll understand, it takes a very good connection to enjoy streaming video games! We still talk about 35Mb/s to play in 4K on Google Stadia. Between 6 and 7Mb/s for 720p on XCloud. And so far, very few people can afford it.

However, 5G may solve some defects -- notably latency. 5G could offer a response time of the order of 1 millisecond, against 10 currently. This will be very important for some multiplayer video games, especially in some genres like FPS or versus fighting games, especially for competitive practices. As such, a Microsoft official associated 3G to the development of streaming music, and 4G LTE video streaming, explaining that 5G would have the same role for video games. But what is certain is that the network installation is not in place, maybe the 5g will change something but rather in the long run because I imagine that the first packages would not be given financially speaking, then coverage and data package (remember you stream 720p images at least, if you do not have an unlimited data plan, then data may be scarce) issues too.

In sum, as of now, video game streaming may not cater to a wide audience as it is its aims but may be reserved for a niche for the time being.

Sources: 1, 2.