What is Cloud Gaming? Everything You Need to Know

Ever wonder what Cloud Gaming is? Picture this: Every gamer has gone through this at one point or another in their lifetime—failing to enjoy the goodness of a new game because their PC or console couldn’t match the required specs. Fortunately, tech develops fast! Cloud gaming solved the above headache.

To help you understand better, Cloud Gaming is when a gamer plays an online video game from a remote server. This change of tactic in the gaming world makes it easy to play any game on any device, anywhere, at whatever time – all you need is a subscription!

Cloud gaming has eliminated the need to spend a lot on a video game library and constant console or PC hardware upgrades whenever a new game spawns. All the processing is done from a powerful server, and the live video feed is sent to any computer with an internet connection.

This was a lifesaver for avid travelers because I didn’t need to carry my gaming artillery everywhere; I wandered just to enjoy my favorite game.

As you can imagine, this simple tech fix has completely changed the gaming world. The cloud gaming market size (global) is estimated to be worth about $1.56 in 2024. It’s expected to rise pivot to $96.7 billion in ten years.

What is Cloud Gaming All About?

To avoid all the technical jargon, think of cloud-based gaming as Netflix or Hulu or gaming. Unlike gamers in the 2000s, who had to spend a ton of money on gaming consoles or PC hardware to enjoy the latest games, cloud gaming reduces that hustle to any compatible device (TV or even smartphone), good internet connection, and, depending on the game, a subscription.

This removes the hassle of spending a fortune on the latest consoles or PC hardware and allows you to use the devices you already own, including your smartphone.

That means you can start playing a game on your living room TV, hop over to the dining table, and continue playing it on your tablet, do the same on the metro heading to work and finish a couple of stages on your computer during breaks.

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How Does Cloud-Based Gaming Work?

Here’s the truth: Instead of downloading entire gaming archives onto your console, PC, or tablet, cloud gaming technology lets you experience games like you would on a high-end console but from a remote server in a data center. All that’s left for you to do is stream the content through the internet to your device (PC, TV, or Smartphone).

Also, you don’t need cables, software, or storage space. Better yet, there are no installation processes. All you need to do is sign in on a cloud gaming platform and play your game.

What Kind of Hardware Do I Need?

To enjoy your favorite games via cloud gaming, you only need a strong internet connection, a compatible mouse, keyboard, or controller, and a video streaming device such as a TV, Tablet, PC, or Smartphone.

Where Can I Sign Up For a Cloud Gaming Service?

Initially, there were not many cloud gaming services, but today, you’ll be spoilt for choice on which one to pick. If anything, there are new providers every season – and the tech behind it is rapidly increasing:

The following are some of the popular cloud gaming services you can check out:

GeForce Now

GeForce Now has a massive library of games to choose from. It’s a cloud gaming arm of Nvidia that connects your existing library of games to digital stores, letting you purchase new games while sampling free alternatives.

GeForce Now doesn’t sell its games; rather, it links users to existing online stores where gamers can access digital game providers.

Xbox Cloud Gaming

You’d think that Xbox cloud gaming is only restricted to Xbox consoles or Microsoft hardware, but that’s not true. This service is compatible with most platforms and devices. All you need is a Microsoft account, and you’ll get access to games like Fortnite.

With a subscription, you’ll get access to tons of games. What’s best is that you can sample new games every time the library is updated (monthly).

Luna

Luna is Amazon’s cloud gaming arm and one of the most accessible platforms for gamers looking to sample cloud-based gaming. It is free for gamers with an Amazon Prime subscription (Prime Gaming).

Stillyou can subscribe to other gaming channels, including Jackbox Games, for an extra fee and get access to more premium games.

PlayStation Plus Premium

As you probably already know, PlayStation is Sony’s gaming arm. To access this platform, you need to buy a membership. These subscriptions are segmented into monthly, quarterly, and yearly.

With the PlayStation subscription, you’ll get access to hundreds of their games, including classics, free games, and new releases. The only downside to this cloud-gaming service is that it is restricted to Windows PCs and Sony Playstation video game consoles.

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