By Omar T. Abdelsalam
While companies like Microsoft, Sony, Nvidia, Nintendo, and others are competing to build the most powerful console, laptop, or computer in terms of graphics quality and gaming performance, game streaming could be a real game changer.
So, let’s start by defining what game streaming is. With game streaming, there will be basically no need for buying discs, downloading games, buying consoles or powerful computers; you would be able to play your favorite video games and situs slot gacor games on your phone, television, or any computer. You will be streaming these games from companies’ servers, just like we stream videos on Netflix or YouTube.
Which companies are working on streaming, and what are the current available services?
Microsoft, Google, Nvidia, and Sony are currently the main companies working on developing and providing this service.
Microsoft
Project xCloud, and Xbox Console Streaming, are Microsoft’s game streaming services which are currently in a preview mode and are not fully available yet. Project xCloud allows for streaming games on phones and tablets from Microsoft’s cloud; you would not need an Xbox to play these games. It merely requires a stable WI-FI or mobile data connection, and any type of controller that supports Bluetooth. However it is only available on Android 6.0 or higher phones—and the preview version is not available on IOS devices.
Currently, the service offers a fair variety of games with flagships like Forza Horizon 4, Gears 5, 해외카지노사이트, Halo 5, Just Cause 4, Shadow of the Tomb Raider, and others. Microsoft has promised to add more games as the full version becomes available along with IOS compatibility.
Xbox Console Streaming Service on an Android Phone
Xbox Console Streaming also allows for streaming games, but unlike xCloud, the games are streamed right from your Xbox console library of games. You will be able to have your Xbox on your device and have it anywhere you go as long as you have internet.
A screenshot of some the games Microsoft’s xCloud offers.
Microsoft also offers console streaming on Windows computers through the Xbox Console Companion App. However, this requires the computer and the Xbox to be connected to the same network.
Microsoft has not provided any details about the pricing, but the service is expected to cost $15 per month and the company has yet to provide more specifications about the service. It is also expected to provide a streaming quality of at least 1080p and 60FPS. Using the service, I found the streaming to be stable most of the time with occasional issues. It also took about a minute or two to load each game. Microsoft uses Xbox One S consoles on its servers to load the games, which is expected to be faster with installing the newer, more powerful, console versions such as the One X and Project Scarlett.
I streamed some games on my phone (like Ace Combat 7) without having to buy or download the game. However the video quality was about 720p, and not all the games were suitable to be played on a small screen. Daftar situs slot gacor can be played at any screen.
The preview version is limited to a small number of people, but signing up for it is free and available on Microsoft’s website foranyone to use as long as they meet the requirements.
xCloud has a lot of potential and when I t is fully released it could change how we stream our games and could possibly eliminate the use of consoles in the long run.
Google and Microsoft are the main competitors in game streaming and also have the most resources with which to offer the service. Google’s version of streaming is Stadia, which is available on phones, tablets, computers, and TVs. It also promises to offer up to 4k 60 FPS. It requires a Google Chromecast Ultra for TV streaming, a Stadia Controller, a Chrome Browser for pc streaming, and the Stadia app for phones. Stadia has not been fully released yet, but an early access version is available for $130 and then $10 a month; the service is meant to be free in the future. But for now, the service fee covers very few games and one would have to purchase each game separately in addition to the subscription fee.
Stadia enables streaming on laptops, TVs, and phones
Stadia users have reported liking the service, stating it was running smoothly except for some occasional lag and connection problems. People could also seamlessly switch from streaming on a phone to pc. Yet people raised concerns about the small library of games with only very few flagship titles.
Stadia offers major competition to xCloud and has thepotential to be even better, but its lack of flagships could undermine that.
Sony
Sony has been the oldest company among those already providing game streaming services. First, Sony offers PlayStation Now, which is cloud–based streaming but is only available on PC. It allows you to stream hundreds of PS4, PS3, and PS2 games for a monthly subscription of $10. It is also a service that has been available to install on PlayStations. However, Sony has not made PS Now with the intention of competing with Microsoft or Google for it lacks many flagship games and the streaming quality is limited to 720p.
PS Now is available on the console and on Windows or Mac computers.
PS Remote Play is similar to Xbox Console Streaming Service. It streams your console into your phone, pc, or tablet. You are able to access your PS4 anywhere as long as it is not fully turned off and you have a stable internet connection, a DUALSHOCK 4 controller, and the free PS4 Remote Play App.
PS Now is available on tablets, iPads, and phones
These two streaming services have been useful mostly for PS4 users. They don’t substitute for owning a console like Stadia or xCloud. So in terms of cloud-based streaming, Sony is not the winner here.
Nvidia
Probably one of the most competitive companies contributing to gaming with its powerful GPUs, Nvidia could not feel left behind. They have also provided a cloud streaming service, GeForce Now. Its service is different from Microsoft’s, Sony’s, and Google’s, for it permits streaming the library of games that you already own over your pc, phone, or tablet. It also requires a stable internet connection with a speed of at least 15 Mbps, but the maximum resolution is 1080p at 60 FPS.
GFN is available on computers and phones
GFN is convenient for PC gamers who already own specific games, and enables them to play them anywhere without having to rebuy them. Nvidia offers a free version, which allows you to stream your games but your sessions are limited to one hour.
On the other hand, the Founders version offers more extended sessions, RTX On, and priority access for just $4.99 a month. However, this does not let you play anytime you want because the number of players is limited due the availability of servers, and the Founders version just gives you a priority in the wait line.
Cloud–based streaming would be a game changer becauseusers would not need to buy powerful computers or consoles to play their favorite games. The winning company will be the one providing a constantly working service with flagship games. But dominating the gaming market also depends on the current users of each platform, because PS users would not use Microsoft’s service.
Streaming services would not compete with the playability or graphics of current consoles or PCs which offer up to 8k with 120FPS. But with technological advances in the future, we could see them used everywhere and becoming equivalent to pc or console gaming.
While I’ve only discussed products from the major companies now leading the game streaming trend, there are newer contenders also jumping into the field. But these newer services still have a long way to go before they come close being as good as what the industry leaders have already launched.