Introduction:
The gaming industry has come a long way since the first commercially successful video game “Pong” was released in 1972. The industry has gone through massive transformation over the years, especially with the rise of online gaming where you can play games with other players stationed all over the world. The rise of online gaming has also brought with it another technological advancement known as “streaming games”. In this blog post, we will explore whether streaming games can be the future of the PC gaming industry.
What is Streaming Games?
Before we dive deeper into the topic, let us first understand what is meant by “streaming games”. Gaming enthusiasts may already be familiar with the term, but for those who are new to the gaming world, it is a feature that allows gamers to play games without downloading them. In other words, the game is streamed directly to the gamer’s device, be it a PC or mobile phone, just like how you stream movies on Netflix.
When you stream games, the actual game is running on a server that is located somewhere else, as opposed to running locally on your device. The server sends input from your controller to the game, and the game sends back a video of the gameplay to your screen. This way, you do not need to have a high-end gaming PC or a console to play the games, as even low-end devices can now play high-end games.
Advantages of Streaming Games:
There are several advantages of streaming games that make it a promising technology and a potential game-changer in the gaming industry. Some of these advantages are:
1. Accessibility:
One of the biggest advantages of streaming games is accessibility. Since you do not need to have the game installed on your device, you can play games on almost any device that has an internet connection. This means that people who may not have the budget to buy a high-end gaming PC or a console can now also enjoy playing games. This also makes it easier for people to try out new games before buying them.
2. Convenience:
Streaming games also offer convenience. Since you do not need to download the game, you also don’t have to wait for hours or days for the game to be installed. All you need is an internet connection and you are good to go. This also makes it easier to switch between games, as you don’t have to uninstall the game that you no longer want to play.
3. Cost-Effective:
Another advantage of streaming games is that it is cost-effective. You do not need to spend money on buying high-end devices or consoles to play games. All you need is a device with an internet connection and you can play games on it. This also means that you do not have to spend money on buying games, as you can pay a subscription fee to access a library of games.
4. No Upfront Cost:
Streaming games also have no upfront cost. Since you do not need to buy a game or a device to play the game, you only pay for what you play. This can be a significant advantage for people who are not sure if they want to commit to buying a game before trying it out.
Disadvantages of Streaming Games:
While streaming games have many advantages, they also have some disadvantages that should be considered before we can say for sure if it is the future of the gaming industry. Some of the disadvantages are:
1. Relies on Internet Connection:
Streaming games rely on having a good internet connection. If you do not have a stable internet connection, then the game can lag or stutter. This can be frustrating, especially for fast-paced games where timing is essential.
2. Input Lag:
Another disadvantage of streaming games is input lag. Since the game is running on a separate server, there is a delay between the input from the controller and the action on the screen. This delay can be as little as 10 milliseconds, or it can be as much as a few seconds, depending on the quality of the internet connection.
3. Limited Game Selection:
Another disadvantage of streaming games is that the game selection can be limited. You may not be able to find some of the latest games or some niche games, as they may not be available on the streaming platform you are using. This can be a deal-breaker for some gamers who want to play specific games.
Future of Streaming Games:
While streaming games have some disadvantages, there is still a lot of potential for it to be the future of the gaming industry. The rise of gaming streaming services such as Google Stadia and Nvidia GeForce NOW has shown that there is a demand for streaming games. In fact, Google Stadia became the fastest-growing streaming service in the first few months of launch.
One of the significant advantages of streaming games is that it can bring gaming to a broader audience. With the rise of smartphones, almost everyone has access to the internet, and therefore, streaming games can make gaming accessible to a lot of people who may not have had the opportunity to play games before.
Another potential advantage of streaming games is that it can help reduce the environmental impact of gaming. Gaming consoles require a lot of power to run, and they also produce a lot of heat, which contributes to environmental pollution. By moving gaming to the cloud, we can reduce the environmental impact of gaming.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, we can say that streaming games has a lot of potential to be the future of the gaming industry. While it has some disadvantages that need to be addressed, the advantages that it offers, such as accessibility, convenience, and cost-effectiveness, make it an attractive option for gamers. With the rise of gaming streaming services, we can expect to see more players and developers adapt to this technology, and in the coming years, it may become the norm in the gaming industry.
Image Credit: Pexels