The mobile phone was once reserved for the privileged and the wealthy. Today, with the rise of smartphones and tablet PCs, even the average person can have access to thousands of apps and games on the go.
While mobile gaming might not yet be mainstream, the mobile phone has evolved to such a degree that it can now host entire PC or console games thanks to things like Steam and the Android or iOS gaming stores.
For developers looking to create immersive PC or console experiences on the go, the cloud might be the way to go. Thanks to things like XCloud One and Valve Cloud Gaming, it’s possible to run games remotely, which means you don’t need to rely on costly hardware or have a constant internet connection to play.
Why the Cloud?
The cloud has many advantages, not the least of which is how easy it makes creating and running games. With the right providers, all you need is a web browser to launch a game instance in a few seconds.
Another benefit is how the cloud manages resources like storage and computing power, which means you don’t need to worry about running out of space on your device or having your phone’s performance drop due to heavy usage.
If you’re looking for flexibility, you can’t beat the fact that you can launch a game instantly from almost anywhere. If you have a good mobile network and a fast WiFi connection, you can even use something like Google Play Games to host your games.
One of the biggest selling points of the cloud, however, is how convenient it is for users. Since all of the game’s resources are centralized and stored somewhere, it’s easy for someone else to take over where you left off if you launch another game while the first one is still ongoing. This makes multiplayer gaming much more reliable and accessible, not to mention that you can continue playing even if you lose connection to the internet.
Cloud Gaming – What Is It?
Cloud gaming might not yet be as popular as traditional PC or console gaming, but that doesn’t mean it’s not out there. Thanks to things like XCloud One and Valve Cloud Gaming, it’s possible to run games remotely, which means you don’t need to rely on costly hardware or have a constant internet connection to play.
Because all of the game’s resources are stored and managed remotely, all you need is a web browser to launch a game instance in a few seconds.
To play, you simply need to log onto your game’s website using your email and login details, and then you can start playing instantly. You don’t need to worry about storage space or performance since everything is cloud hosted. Even better, you don’t need to download any games in advance either, as they are all streamed to you as you play.
On the downside, the lack of direct control over your game’s hardware can make it more difficult to optimize performance. Also, if you lose connection to the internet, you’ll have to wait until you’re back online to resume playing. With PC and Console Gaming, you can remove these obstacles by using things like cloud gaming gateways, which provide you with a dedicated IP that you can connect to any server you want, as well as features like autodetection and prioritization of network traffic, to ensure you always have a good connection and performance even if you’re playing remotely.
Which Platforms Can Play On The Cloud?
If you’re looking to play on the cloud, you have several options to choose from. Not only can you play on mobile devices like smartphones and tablets, but you can even use things like the PS Vita or Nintendo Switch to play high-quality games on the go. The choice is yours!
Of course, you might want to consider the type of game you’re making when choosing your platform. If you’re primarily creating casual games or using something like Unity, you might want to opt for a cheaper option like the Nintendo Switch or the Ouya micro-console. On the other hand, if you’re making a more high-end product or are using something like Unreal, you might want to opt for a more expensive option like the PS4 or the Xbox One.
Mobile-Optimized Gaming
If you’re developing for mobile devices, the first thing you’ll need to do is optimize your game for the screen size and input methods. For instance, if your game uses a virtual joystick, make sure that it’s responsive and that the controls feel good even when played on a smaller screen. You’ll also need to minimize text since it’s more difficult to read small blocks of text on a touchscreen than it is to read larger blocks of text on a traditional monitor.
If you have access to a gaming PC, you can use things like Unity to easily create Android and iOS apps and games that perform well on any device. Additionally, if you plan on using more than one screen, you can easily create something that looks like a console game experience by using multiple Unity devices (or “controllers”).
The Pros And Cons Of Cloud Gaming
Ultimately, the choice is yours regarding what type of gaming experience you want to provide, but there are some things you need to consider before opting for the cloud. First of all, you need to make sure that you’re comparing similar offerings from different providers, since different companies have various tradeoffs that they require you to take into account. For example, Amazon Cloud Gaming offers you an Xbox 360 controller and a Steam digital card for free, but Google Cloud Gaming charges you an extra $5 per month for the privilege of using their servers.
One of the major conundrums of gaming on the cloud is how unreliable it can be when compared to playing on a traditional gaming PC or console. Even when doing everything right, you could eventually encounter connection problems that cause your game to freeze or delay texts, etc. While this is mostly an inconvenience, it’s still a major roadblock that you need to overcome if you want to play anywhere and at any time.
Another major conundrum arises from the fact that all of your online gaming activities are logged and accessible by the government or law enforcement authorities, should the need arise. This makes it easier for them to establish proof of your criminal activities, since all of your online data is stored and accessible from one central location. Should you ever become the object of an illegal search or seizure, your data is more vulnerable to being picked up by the authorities.
Cloud Gaming versus PC Gaming
In some instances, it might be desirable to play your PC games from mobile phones or tablets. One of the biggest benefits to playing on a traditional PC is how you can use things like keyboard and mouse to easily navigate menus and use other graphics keys to jump aboard, etc.
If you’re looking for a truly portable experience, you might want to look into things like portable PCs or tablets. With a fixed network connection, you can play PC games with high performance and visual sophistication from almost anywhere. Even better, since all of your data is stored elsewhere, you don’t have to worry about losing your progress due to power outs or broken connections. Finally, since all of your online data is stored in the cloud, you can always reconnect to the internet and continue playing even if you lose connection to the network.