How long has cloud gaming been around?
Cloud gaming started in the late 2000s, but it took a few more years for the technology and internet speeds to become good enough for it to work well.
The first major cloud gaming service was called OnLive, which launched in June 2010. It used a small game streaming device, known as a “micro” console, along with a special controller, similar to what Google Stadia uses today. OnLive was also accessible on Windows and MacOS through a web browser, and it worked on Android tablets and smartphones, Nvidia’s original Shield, and other devices.
Some of the key players leading the charge in the cloud gaming industry include companies like Google with its Stadia platform, Microsoft with Xbox Cloud Gaming (formerly known as Project xCloud), Sony with PlayStation Now, NVIDIA with GeForce NOW, and Amazon with Amazon Luna. These companies are investing heavily in cloud gaming technologies to cater to the evolving needs of gamers worldwide.
What is Cloud Gaming?
Cloud Gaming: Cloud gaming lets you play video games without needing to download them to a PC or console. Instead, the games are hosted on remote servers in data centers. To play, you only need a stable internet connection that can stream the game data to an app or browser on your device. The game itself is run and processed on the server far away, but you see and control the game locally on your own device as if it were installed there.
Cloud gaming has revolutionized the way people play video games by leveraging remote servers to process and stream games directly to players’ devices. Unlike traditional gaming consoles or PCs, cloud gaming allows players to access high-quality gaming experiences without the need for expensive hardware upgrades. With the global cloud gaming market projected to reach $7.24 billion by 2027, its popularity is skyrocketing.