From A Distance

By Author: Yuette Saulpaugh
Total Articles: 14
Comment this article

The concept of the cloud is one that has been with us for quite some time. The idea of removing software and data from hard drives and holding it remotely on servers so that it can be accessed any time, any where by an internet connection is nothing new.

Now, however, online gaming is taking a step towards the cloud. Following in the footsteps of other remote entertainment systems like Spotify, YouTube and the iPlayer, cloud gaming looks to take the game out of your hands.

The next step is cloud gaming. It''s an idea that has been around for a while, and trialled in a number of ways, but not yet managed to keep up with truly enormous games. As with film rental companies, the idea of cloud gaming is that for a small membership fee you can access, and play, any one of hundreds, if not thousands, of games.

Of course, there are technical issues with the system. Generally speaking these games are big, big enough to take up a fair chunk of any computer''s hard drive, and to access and play them completely remotely is going to require a very good, very solid internet connection.

Added to which, if the system ...
... is successful, and there''s a fair chance that it will be, the servers and internet connections of the host company are going to have to be extremely robust.

Still, all these are problems which seem to be surmountable, so much so that there are even claims that gamers will be able to use relatively low spec computers and operating systems, this will have to be seen to be believed.

Aside from the technology, the major problem is that same as every other form of entertainment that has encountered the internet. The games cost a lot to develop, but games companies can make money because they know there is a market to buy the games and cover their costs. If cloud gaming takes off and people can play any game for a fraction of the cost of buying just one, games companies are going to encounter significant problems.

It remains to be seen how successful the project will be, if the technology is right and the business model stands up then there is every chance that cloud gaming could transform entertainment. Online casinos have already proved that online entertainment is big business and can be done very successfully, but this is one step beyond. Yuette Saulpaugh is a veteran gaming journalist. He recommends the award winning 32Red online casino for safe online entertainment.