The concept of game streaming has been popular for many decades. The company which popularized it many years back was OnLive. The company got into game streaming service in 2009 at GDC and assured to revolutionize gaming services by beaming several games to multiple devices that were not compatible to process high-fidelity games. This company was welcomed very well in the market but struggled due to pricing and quality issues. There was a major quality difference in comparison to using a console or PC to play games.
But, in 2012, the company's assets slowly sold off, and it was closed. Here came the company Sony which gobbled up the technology and further combined it with Gaikai to form the PlayStation Now game streaming service. After this, individuals can get access to about 750 games by just paying $20 a month and can stream to Sony's PlayStation 4 or a PC.
How will game streaming affect mobile gaming?
Video game live streaming getting popular with time has resulted in more people playing games on their phones. Games that are offered on multiple platforms serve different kinds of audiences. The audience which enjoys game streaming is following games from several years. They like high-fidelity games but do not want to manage the hardware. This results in mobile gaming complementing various game streaming offerings, like PCs and consoles for several years. You can always download Gamesee App for an excellent streaming experience.
Games that were tailor-made for playing on smart phones saw massive success, such as hyper-casual genres. These types of games are specially made to be played one-handed. Their game loops are short so that you can enjoy playing a couple of rounds in the meantime. It requires players to buy and carry a gamepad and must have a speedy internet connection when it comes to game streaming. For players on the go, with the rollout of 5G, game streaming can become a viable option. And when it comes to killing time, mobile games are considered great offerings. With the advent of game streaming, players have a variety of options that were not possible on smart phones before. Developers can approach niche audiences as the game market reaches certain maturity.
What is the future of the gaming industry with respect to streaming?
In today's scenario streaming music and video have become popular. They have surpassed cable in a total number of subscriptions. Infrastructure is the biggest challenge faced by game streaming services. In developed countries, especially in urban areas, have access to a minimum of 25mbps connection speed, which is necessary for streaming 1080p games at 60fps. But if we consider rural areas, especially in underdeveloped or developing countries, they may not have the proper streaming infrastructure. In addition to that, internet companies generally cap the users' bandwidth, which comes in the way of proper streaming.
Another thing to consider is that the business of games is fundamentally different from audio and video service. Services such as Spotify pay the singers or artists by the stream, but what is the way to pay game developers for streaming services? There are also issues with respect to competing platforms. Will the users need to play on different game streaming services so that they can access their favourite games? There is a huge scope for game streaming, but there may be some time to watch the effects of its disruption with respect to the gaming industry.
And if we see mobile gaming, it is totally clear that the demand for mobile gaming experience will never become obsolete. Smart phones will become one of the most popular devices for streaming various games in the future, and the experiences provided by every platform will not be the same. A gamer may be interested in crushing some candy, but at the same time, he/she may opt for streaming a game on a long commute. For consumers as well as developers, this shows more opportunity and choice. Developers will develop more and more games for their ideal audience, and consumers will have multiple choices over the kinds of games they want to play.
Multi-hardware options for game streaming
Game streaming has been recognized to have the potential for breaking down device borders and, in turn, simplifying playing video games the way Netflix has simplified binge-watching. Game streaming platforms and services will paint an idyllic future where a gamer can play any game on any device with a screen. You will no longer require the greatest and latest PC hardware or the latest gen console to play games. Your smart phone will serve you in every way you desire. No need of large downloads and installation files. It is as simple as you click and start playing.
Technical requirements for streaming games
Although some technical requirements are a must, such as a stable internet connection, the latest 5GHz Wi-Fi is just not enough to support. Google recommends that you will require at least 10 Mbps speed for comfortable gameplay at 720p 60fps. If you are looking for a full 4K 60 fps service, you will require at least 35Mbps. In PC gamers' language, it means you are using from 4.5GB to 15.75GB per hour.
These technical specifications are immediate hurdles that need to be resolved before if you want effective game streaming. Huge demand for interactivities and real-time responses to chat means requiring a good quality internet connection. It is suitable for you to opt for unlimited data plans because most of the money will be spent on the game.
Most of the entertainment and technology industry is heading towards streaming services as a preferred distribution method. This has benefits for various users as well as distributors and publishers. It provides appropriate control over access to the content. In today's scenario, being able to play a game anywhere and on any of the devices, without worrying about the hardware, is a dream come true for the gamer. Unfortunately, this goal is still far away.