The increasingly digital nature of the gaming industry is impossible to ignore. Not only do the games console titans offer exclusively disc-free versions of their flagship platforms but the concept of game streaming is quickly becoming a favourite way to play the latest titles.
With Sony poised to release a handheld console later this year, and the tech giant also rapidly expanding their cloud gaming teams, we’ve explored how streaming could be the next step in gaming’s evolutions and what it means for the physical disc.
Game streaming – what is it and how do I get involved?
Firstly, what is game streaming? It’s easy to think of a game streaming service like the TV and film streaming platforms you’re used to, including Netflix and Disney+, with users subscribing on a monthly basis and accessing a vast library of hot picks and timeless classics through a cloud server.
We’ve examined the most popular streaming services currently available and what they’re offering for the gaming industry’s new frontier:
- Xbox Game Pass Ultimate – over 100 games are up for grabs on Microsoft’s flagship service, with owners of an Xbox, PC or Android device able to access the rotating library of games including exclusive names like Halo and Forza.
- Amazon Luna – despite being an early access, the Luna platform has impressed critics with its channel-based choices for game streaming that allows users to swap between Amazon’s own library to the likes of Ubisoft + depending on subscription access.
- Nvidia GeForce Now – this is a streaming service in its purest form, allowing you to stream pre-purchased games from Steam, Epic Games, and Uplay accounts onto any TV, laptop or phone with all the performance of a gaming PC rig without the hefty cost.
- Sony PlayStation Now – much like the Xbox Game Pass, Sony’s answer to ‘Netflix for video games’ is an archive of hundreds of games waiting to be turned platinum. Exclusive titles include Bloodborne, Horizon: Zero Dawn. and Ratchet and Clank.
Is it really worth ditching my discs?
Newcomers may be sceptical of saying goodbye to the trusted discs and downloads they’ve become so accustomed to. So here are some of the many benefits that game streaming offers:
- Value for money – with most subscriptions costing around £10 per month, streaming libraries offer numerous titles that would cost over £45 to buy new, meaning you only need to play a couple of games to get your money’s worth.
- Accessibility – if the hardware cost keeps you from diving into PC gaming, services like Nvidia GeForce Now gets rid of these hurdles and lets the broadband do the heavy lifting.
- Flexibility – the Nintendo Switch has reminded developers that portability is a huge incentive for gamers to invest in new tech. Most services allow you to stream triple-A titles straight to your phone or tablet.
The increasingly digital virtual world
With an increased focus on subscription-based services dominating home entertainment,set against high street pressures, it won’t be surprising if game streaming’s rise marks the final nail in the physical disc’s coffin.
It’s possible that we could see a physical resurgence, as the music industry saw with the vinyl revival, but the current trends certainly suggest the world of gaming could be fully digital before long.
None of this, however, would be possible without future-ready full fibre broadband. Previously, streaming data-hungry games would have been an impossible task, with copper-based networks simply not fast or reliable enough to cope with the amount of data needed.
Full fibre networks, however, boast speeds 11 times faster than Superfast and signal strength that you can rely on without fear of lagging behind.
Find out if our full fibre network is available in your area, or register your interest here.
