Gaming

Experts reveal the future of cloud gaming

Published

4 years ago

June 18, 2021

George Miller

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Web hosting experts Fasthosts give their predictions on the future of cloud gaming
Now, as Netflix subscribers outnumber Blu-Ray sales and Spotify listeners outnumber vinyl lovers, could cloud gaming be what the future holds for gaming?

It didn’t take long for video games to become a huge cultural force. Now worth roughly double the film and music industry combined¹, gaming is massive – and by its very nature, it needs to stay at the forefront of technology. Alongside advances in graphics, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence, recent years have seen major developments in cloud gaming.

Cloud gaming is simply applying cloud computing to games, and now has the potential to revolutionise the way video games are consumed.

Tech experts at Fasthosts have now revealed their thoughts on the future of cloud gaming, from mainstream predictions to how cloud gaming is going to rewrite the rules.

Saving money and space

European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

With gaming technology constantly evolving, upgrading hardware every few years is mandatory to enjoy the latest titles – but this comes with a large price tag. By connecting to devices in the cloud, costs are rapidly reduced to a subscription fee, and the provider takes on all the responsibilities of maintaining high-end gaming systems.

With no need for on-site hardware, cloud gaming saves space in the home and eliminates the noise and heat generated by gaming machines.

Gaming on demand is another aspect of cloud computing in general. Cloud gaming is often described as ‘Netflix for games’, and there are certainly parallels, with millions of viewers now accessing content on remote servers rather than home DVD players. However, due to the interactive nature of the media, cloud gaming is far more demanding than video streaming.

Is cloud gaming set to become mainstream in the next decade?

If the actions of the major players are anything to go by, gaming on demand could gain serious traction over the next decade.

The historical cloud gaming services, while innovative, were always somewhat niche. But will cloud gaming go mainstream any time soon? Both Microsoft and Google announced forays into the sector, with their trials ‘Project xCloud’ and ‘Project Stream’ respectively. They both decided to follow this up with Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass and the less successful Google Stadia.

Even Nintendo, a far more traditional gaming brand, has established some major cloud inroads on its platforms. Streamed versions of demanding games like Assassin’s Creed Odyssey and Resident Evil 7 – originally designed for Xbox, PlayStation and PC – are becoming available on the comparatively weak Nintendo Switch hardware.

How cloud gaming is set to rewrite the rules: the long term impacts of cloud gaming

Looking forward, what are the long-term impacts of cloud gaming? To say that it could be disruptive is a huge understatement.

A cloud-dominated market would make publishers far less dependent on an installed base of machines and could even end up with every major publisher running its own cloud gaming service. Microsoft and Sony will continue to invest heavily in their own cloud offering and inhouse development studios.

Cloud gaming technology is rapidly maturing to the point where it could easily become the mainstream option, even if others continue to exist for enthusiasts.

Now, Netflix subscriptions beat Blu-ray sales, and Spotify users outnumber vinyl lovers. Games, as the less established and more technologically demanding medium, are just taking a bit longer to make the jump. All signs point to cloud gaming to become the new normal.

Compliance Updates

SYNOT Games Officially Certifies Over 140 Games in Brazil

Published

3 days ago

December 17, 2024

GamingAmericas.com

synot-games-officially-certifies-over-140-games-in-brazil

SYNOT Games has announced that more than 140 of its games have now been officially certified in Brazil.

“We are delighted to announce that more than 140 of our games have now been officially certified in Brazil. This significant achievement allows us to expand our reach and introduce a diverse selection of games to this dynamic market. Brazil represents a key opportunity for growth, and we are committed to delivering exceptional gaming experiences to the Brazilian audience,” the Company said.

“We are thrilled to introduce our portfolio in Brazil, offering innovative and engaging gameplay that promises to captivate and entertain players,” Martina Krajci, CCO at SYNOT Games, said.

Gaming

SPGA Introduces Code of Conduct to Highlight Member Commitment to Compliance and Safety in Social and Promotional Gaming

Published

4 days ago

December 16, 2024

GamingAmericas.com

spga-introduces-code-of-conduct-to-highlight-member-commitment-to-compliance-and-safety-in-social-and-promotional-gaming

The Social and Promotional Gaming Association (SPGA), an organization dedicated to providing stakeholder education and advocating for the responsible operation of social games offering promotional sweepstakes prizes, today announced the implementation of a Code of Conduct for its operator members.

The Code of Conduct is designed to spotlight the processes and technologies already in place at both SPGA member sites and the majority of social casinos offering promotional sweepstakes, also referred to as social sweeps games.

Social sweeps games combine the established social casino model, on which Americans have spent over $40 billion in the last decade, and add promotional prizes. No purchase is necessary to win prizes, and the vast majority of users play for free.

The foundational pillars of the Code of Conduct include the application of regulation-grade suppliers, technology, or policies to ensure:

Age verification to limit real money play to users 18 and older
Proper identity verification (Know Your Customer or KYC)
Location verification of customers
AML policies to ensure proper transaction monitoring

“The pillars of the SPGA Code of Conduct highlight the technology and processes already in place at most social sweeps operators to ensure that the millions of adults who enjoy these games do so in a safe and reliable environment,” said Camilla Wright of Red Knot Communications, a spokesperson for the SPGA.

“The standards of the Code of Conduct go above and beyond the accepted best practices for traditional social casinos.”

In the months ahead, the SPGA will release more details on the Code of Conduct, introduce additional pillars, and engage an external firm to certify member compliance with the Code.

“We look forward to continuing to develop the Code of Conduct to further strengthen the commitment of SPGA members to compliance and player protection while providing consumers with a highly social and engaging experience that is always free to play,” said Wright.

Gaming

Summoners War X AppGallery Meetup 2024: Exclusive Insights with SWC Europe Cup Champions NEF, ISMOO and STARTIIK

Published

2 weeks ago

December 4, 2024

George Miller

summoners-war-x-appgallery-meetup-2024:-exclusive-insights-with-swc-europe-cup-champions-nef,-ismoo-and-startiik

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Summoners War, a popular mobile role-playing game, has captivated millions with its turn-based monster battles. Boasting over 220 million total downloads across platforms, Summoners War has cultivated a loyal and passionate fanbase.

To celebrate this dedicated community, the Summoners War X AppGallery Meetup 2024 in Hamburg on 30^th November invites fans to engage in exciting activities and connect with the community, with top players NEF and ISMOO headlining this sold-out event. We caught up with NEF, ISMOO and STARTIIK, the top three winners of the SWC 2024 Europe Cup, to dive into their strategies, the influence of AppGallery, and the upcoming meetup.

What key strategies helped you win the Europe Cup and advance to the World Finals’ Semi-Finals match?

NEF: A lot of preparation involved strategizing with my friends and anticipating my opponents’ moves. Additionally, having favourable RNG in critical moments played a crucial role in my success.

What was your turning point in Summoners War that influenced you to start competing professionally?

NEF: Throughout my Summoners War journey, I have met so many incredible people who have really helped shape my experience and push me to grow. Watching ISMOO’s energetic performance on the big stage, gave me the motivation to chase my own dreams and got me to where I am today!

How does it feel to be part of the Summoners War X AppGallery Meetup 2024 and what are your thoughts on AppGallery’s Summoners War campaigns and offline events?

NEF: I am thrilled to be a part of meetup! Being involved in this vibrant community has been such a rewarding experience. I appreciate the variety of Summoners War campaigns that AppGallery offers, catering to all kinds of gamers, regardless of budget. Attending Gamescom last year was a phenomenal experience. The energy was electrifying, and it was amazing connecting with fellow gamers who share the same passion!

What key lessons from your past World Finals experiences have contributed to your success in reaching the World Finals’ Semi-Finals again?

ISMOO: Competing in past World Finals has been a crucial step towards my success in the Semi-Finals. It has taught me to stay composed and avoid costly misplays, even when the stakes are high. I have also learned to better analyse and adapt to opponents’ strategies, enabling me to make smarter decisions and perform more consistently under stress.

Reflecting on your 8-year journey, what key moments shaped your path in Summoners War?

ISMOO: One of the highlights was meeting all my in-game friends from Summoners War, including NEF, that I had only interacted with online. It was incredible to finally meet them in person and getting to know each other better!

Another unforgettable moment was competing in SWC World Finals 2022 in Korea. It was my first time traveling to Asia, and playing live on stage was such an exhilarating and surreal experience.

How does it feel to be part of the Summoners War X AppGallery Meetup 2024 and what are your thoughts on AppGallery’s Summoners War campaigns and offline events?

ISMOO: It feels amazing to be part of this meetup. Reconnecting with the community and meeting so many new people has been a blast! Incredibly grateful for the multiple events that AppGallery has hosted and invited me – It is truly an honour and excited for future events!

What key lessons helped you win second-place at the Europe Cup and advance to the World Finals’ Quarter-Finals match?

STARTIIK: I spent a year focusing on mastering drafts and learning which monsters counter certain meta picks. My Europe Cup preparation involved studying my opponents and analysing their playstyles. However, the World Finals demanded a completely different approach. Preparing for LADRILLO-OS was manageable while LEST’s unpredictability made it more challenging.

As a first-time Europe Cup player, what elements of your gameplay surprise opponents, and does their underestimation give you an edge?

STARTIIK: As a first-timer competitor on stage, many opponents underestimated me despite having experienced my strengths in previous matches. The real challenge lies in proving yourself as a worthy competitor who can handle pressure and deliver consistent results. My fast-paced cleaving strategy has always been my focus but the addition of Lora to my roster this year has strengthened my second-turn gameplay, allowing me to explore new strategies.

How has your AppGallery experience been, and how do its Summoners War campaigns and cashback benefits enhance your gameplay?

STARTIIK: My experience with AppGallery has been great! Installing it on my Android device was a breeze, and navigating the app is intuitive and straightforward. The enticing campaigns and cashback deals have been a great bonus, enabling me to grab some excellent discounts on in-game packs.

The post Summoners War X AppGallery Meetup 2024: Exclusive Insights with SWC Europe Cup Champions NEF, ISMOO and STARTIIK appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.