Il cloud gaming is one of the concepts that has become more and more widespread in the video game industry and that has been talked about for decades. In recent years, the cloud gaming platforms they have become an idea that has materialized. Examples like Google Stadia or GeForce Now are already available to the public and shortly before cloud gaming takes over the most important part of the industry.
It is important to note that while cloud gaming often allows you to play the same games as other platforms, it differs from traditional consoles and PCs in very significant ways. So what is cloud gaming and how does it work? The is cloud gaming free? Let's find out in depth.
What is cloud gaming?
Also known as game streaming, cloud gaming refers to use of cloud servers, rather than local devices, to run games. In essence, the goal is to make gaming experiences simpler and less expensive.
There are some advantages when it comes to cloud gaming. The first advantage is that users they no longer have to buy new hardware to play the latest games. In addition, users will be able to play any game on any connection - just an Internet connection.
Cloud gaming has been around for nearly a decade, but it didn't catch on until recently. While the early services worked quite well, they ultimately lacked support and a user base. In fact, the cloud gaming web / browser it was not very successful due to the internet speed which was not up to par.
In 2021, large companies like Google, Sony and Microsoft they entered the sector with a straight leg. Recently, there is also talk of an insertion of Amazon cloud gaming PC with a new generation of consoles to offer the right support for game streaming. Could they become the real antagonists of the best legal safe online casinos in our country? There is indeed some possibility.
How does cloud gaming work?
In recent years, web users have increasingly appreciated it streaming videos and TV series online. Streaming for games works in a very similar way. Instead of owning the hardware needed to run video games like a PC or console, game streaming allows users to download processing requests to a company's server.
Basically, when you start playing a game using a cloud gaming service, instead of using the disc in your box or launching an app you have installed, you will have a server that will behave like a high-powered PC.
I free games on Stadiafor example, they use proprietary Linux-based technology. When you choose to play a title by Google Stadia, a super powerful server in one of the data centers will start running it. The server then sends a feed of that game running from the data center to your home where you can interact with it via the Chrome browser, a supported phone or Chrome OS tablet or Chromecast Ultra.
From your home, you can use a controller, mouse or keyboard. The cloud gaming service it will record your inputs on the device and send them to the server that will run them on the game. This process involves very slight input lag, but with the right network power, you won't find any kind of difference.
Other cloud gaming services work very similarly. Playstation Now obviously bases its technology on architecture PlayStation 4 and xCloud of Microsoft use Xbox hardware in the cloud. Other options like Shadow, GeForce Now, and Vortex use PC hardware and support gamepads and mouse and keyboard configurations.
Regardless of the input method, the principle remains the same. The services run a game on a server, log your inputs remotely, and stream the result. Results on Wi-Fi vary depending on the router and connection, but wired connections offer the best experience across all services.
How much does cloud gaming cost?
One of the most interesting aspects of cloud gaming and its implications for users is to understand precisely how much such an approach could cost. Currently, the leading cloud gaming service diving into the model Netflix-for-games is PlayStation Now, although Microsoft is said to be doing the same with Microsoft xCloud via browser and Xbox Game Pass.
With this business model, the user will only have to pay a subscription fee and will have the opportunity to stream a library of games. The risk is that your favorite games may be removed from the library, however, the monthly fee it could be really low.
Google takes a more traditional approach with his Stadia cloud gaming service. Games must be purchased individually, although you can add one or two games to your library each month as a Stadia Pro subscriber.
For now, only Stadia Pro subscribers have access to the service, with a free Stadia Base tier. With Stadia Base you can play all cloud gaming pc for free and without paying a monthly fee, albeit with a slightly lower quality (1080p).
Stadia will also collaborate with publishers in the near future to bring their subscription services to an ever wider audience. This means that for an additional monthly fee, you will be able to stream games from UPlay Plus from Ubisoft or EA Access via Stadia. There is a risk that the monthly fees could add up, causing the price of cloud gaming to rise substantially.
Other Cloud Gaming Costs
In addition to the direct costs of these services, there are other factors to keep in mind. Few people think about the weight streaming video places on their connections, but game streaming is a separate matter.
Il bandwidth requirement of streaming games is considerably higher than that of streaming video. If you have a bandwidth limit or low-speed internet, chances are you'll need a new subscription plan to stream games. Google Stadia recommends minimum speeds of 20 Mbps for 1080p games at 60 fps.
Other cloud gaming services require a little less, but the best results are typically achieved with a connection around 100 Mbps. Additionally, the latency requirements of cloud gaming could strain many people's routers and need updates.
Aside from routers, some cloud gaming require extra purchases to work on certain devices. To play Stadia on a TV, you'll need a Chromecast Ultra and a Stadia Controller.
Regardless, cloud gaming is likely to save you money compared to buying a expensive laptop or gaming PC. Finally, even the new generation consoles compared could be competitors in terms of price even if they will be usable only in a single location.
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