Over the last decade, the gaming industry has seen incredible changes, and a notable change relates to the advancement of cloud gaming. With advancements in internet technology and cloud computing, a gamer no longer has to own a powerful piece of hardware to play and enjoy high-quality games. Instead, you can stream your favourite game from a remote server.
Traditional gaming hardware, including dedicated consoles and expensive high-end gaming computers, however, is still preferred by many gamers. In this article, we will discuss cloud gaming versus traditional styles of gaming, including pros and cons as well as the future of gaming.
What is Cloud Gaming?
A system like cloud gaming allows individuals to play video games on an incompatible device. Instead of loading or executing the game locally on their limited hardware, the cloud gaming service streams the game to the player from a remotely managed server. Consequently, an individual playing a game through the cloud gaming service can play the same game on mainstream devices like smartphones, smart TVs, tablets, and even low-impact uses personal computers, provided they have access to wi-fi capabilities.
Examples of the cloud gaming services include NVIDIA GeForce NOW, Xbox Cloud Gaming, PlayStation NOW, and Google Stadia, to name only a few. These services provide expansive libraries filled with selections of games, where the user has the option of purchasing the rights to play previously (usually) declared exclusive to the service, or through a subscription model.
Depending on the game and the cloud gaming service, the user will not have to install or maintain games as they typically would in traditional gaming – updates come from the service, and there are no hardware storage limits.
Key Advantages of Cloud Gaming
One of the main advantages of cloud gaming is accessibility. Gamer can play AAA games on almost any device without needing to purchase expensive upgrades for their hardware. This makes gaming less cost-prohibitive when players don’t have to buy expensive graphics cards or consoles. Cloud gaming also provides easy accessibility across devices, which allows a user to play on their PC and then be able to switch to their tablet or phone without losing anything.
Another major advantage is instant play. Unlike traditional gaming, where players are always worried whether or not their hardware could meet the requirements of the game they want to play, cloud gaming has the ability to run on powerful servers that will give optimal performance. This means players who may have an older device can still enjoy the best quality graphics and overall performance without needing to upgrade their systems.
Drawbacks of Cloud Gaming
Although cloud gaming provides numerous benefits, it also has its disadvantages. The most critical downside is the requirement for stable, ideally perfect internet access. Because games are streamed in real-time, lag, latency, or spikes in bandwidth can greatly influence performance, with critical input lag, screen tearing, and gameplay performance being affected.
In areas where the internet service can be slow and/or unreliable, cloud gaming may not be a feasible option. Another downside is the idea of ownership of the game. For traditional gaming, when a person purchases a game, they own it, whether it be a physical copy or a digital copy; all they need is compatible hardware to play the game in the future.
However, with cloud gaming, the games you have access to are purely based on the service itself. Therefore, if the game has been removed from the platform or the service has ended, you automatically lose access to the game.
Traditional Gaming Pros & Cons
With traditional gaming, gamers do not have to think about lag or issues with their internet connection. For example, high-end gaming PCs and next-gen gaming consoles will provide the power behind advanced graphics and frame rates, ensuring all top-tier gaming experiences are possible.
Another distinct benefit of traditional gaming is ownership of games. Players can buy games as physical or digital copies and start their games at any time since there are no landlord services involved. Also, most traditional games can be played offline, allowing players access even without an internet connection. Of course, this comes with some negatives. The most glaring negative is the cost of hardware. The gaming console, the high-end GPU, and gaming accessories can sometimes put a significant dent in one’s pocket.
For gamers with a library of games, storage is a potential issue. Today’s games take up a significant amount of disk space that may require routine updates in all their individual parts.
Cloud Gaming vs Traditional Gaming: A Comparison
| Feature | Cloud Gaming | Traditional Gaming |
| Hardware Required | No high-end hardware needed, runs on any device | Requires a gaming PC, console, or a powerful GPU |
| Performance | Depends on the internet speed, may experience lag | Consistent performance with high-end hardware |
| Game Ownership | Games are accessed via subscription; no permanent ownership | Games are owned physically or digitally |
| Internet Dependency | Requires a stable internet connection | Can be played offline |
| Cost | Lower upfront cost but requires subscriptions | Higher upfront cost but no mandatory ongoing fees |
| Updates & Storage | No downloads or installations required | Requires updates and large storage space |
| Device Flexibility | Can play on multiple devices seamlessly | Limited to specific hardware |
Future of Gaming
The future of gaming appears to be a hybrid between cloud and traditional gaming. Large gaming companies are investing in cloud-based services and merging them with traditional gaming platforms for an improved experience. That said, traditional gaming is here to stay. Gamers who are “hardcore” in nature often prefer to have higher performance and the ability to play offline via the dedicated gaming hardware. Those collecting games physically or who just like to own them will continue on the traditional gaming path.
The gaming industry is also looking to innovate with some examples, including AI-enhanced cloud gaming optimization, 5 G-supporting streaming, and hybrid console-cloud gameplay. The rise of gaming subscriptions like Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus suggests cloud gaming will work with traditional gaming rather than ultimately replace it. Ultimately, there is no right or wrong answer to whether you should use cloud or traditional gaming; it depends on the player’s preferences. Cloud gaming is a fantastic idea for those looking for flexibility, lower costs, and complete ownership of gaming content.
