In recent years, cloud gaming has gained significant attention and popularity as an alternative to traditional downloaded games. Instead of downloading and installing games on local devices, cloud gaming allows users to stream and play games directly from remote servers over the internet. This shift in gaming technology brings several advantages that make it an appealing choice for gamers.
The Current Scenario
Marketers are struggling to launch new games in the current gaming ecosystem. These are some of the challenges faced by marketers in launching new games,
- Broken tracking due to IDFA changes – The iOS 14 update introduced changes to Apple’s Identifier for Advertisers (IDFA) system, making it more difficult for marketers to track user data and target advertising effectively.
- Reduced reach on App Stores – App stores, such as the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, have become increasingly personalized in their recommendations and search results. This means that new games face challenges in gaining visibility and reaching their target audience organically.
- Slow Growth of New Mobile Users –The growth rate of new mobile users has slowed down compared to previous years. Acquiring new users has become more challenging as the market saturates and competition increases.
Cloud technology in gaming has disrupted the gaming ecosystem paving the way for gamers to indulge, socialise and enjoy a seamless experience. Top cloud gaming platforms such as these provide the gamer of today the much needed immersive and engaging encounters thus outweighs downloaded games.
Post-COVID Era: Increased Proclivity Towards Mobile Gaming for Entertainment
It has been observed that the pandemic has had a significant impact on the gaming industry, with a notable increase in demand for mobile games. It is important to note that the popularity of mobile gaming was already on the rise prior to the pandemic but the lockdown further accelerated the need for gaming as an entertainment medium. The convenience, accessibility, and evolving quality of mobile games have positioned them as a preferred form of entertainment for many individuals.
The Cloud: Transforming the Future of Gaming
The future of cloud gaming is poised to be transformative, with significant advancements and widespread adoption expected. As technology continues to improve, cloud gaming will offer even more seamless and immersive experiences, breaking down barriers of hardware limitations and providing access to high-quality games on various devices.
Cloud technology in gaming has disrupted the gaming ecosystem paving the way for gamers to indulge, socialise and enjoy a seamless experience
With the potential for faster internet speeds, reduced latency, and improved streaming technologies, cloud gaming will become a mainstream choice for gamers, offering convenience, flexibility, and a vast library of games. Additionally, the integration of cloud gaming with emerging technologies like virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) will further enhance the gaming experience, creating immersive worlds and interactive gameplay. Ultimately, cloud gaming will revolutionize the way games are accessed, played, and shared, shaping the future of the gaming industry.
Gaming is No More About Playing Alone But Entertaining, Engaging & Socializing
As per the Newzoo report on gamer’s behaviour, gamers like to do more than just play the games. Around 50% time spent on game is about engaging with gaming content and not just playing it. With cloud gaming, players can easily capture and record gameplay videos directly from the cloud platform, eliminating the need for additional software or hardware. This simplifies the content creation process, making it easier for gamers to share their experiences, create walkthroughs, tutorials, and stream their gameplay to platforms like YouTube, Twitch, or other streaming platforms.
Most gamers now discover games through social media or discord servers. Activating communities would be vital for any game launch. Once the game is on cloud, developers can promote the game through discord server chats, posts on reddit, memes, fanart or contests. These are easier to develop and share with the game link, which can be accessed from anywhere.
Impact of Cloud Gaming Vs Downloaded Games on Gamers
Gamers are often indifferent to the specific mode of playing a game as long as the experience is enjoyable and seamless. With the adoption of 5G networks, cloud gaming has the potential to offer a comparable experience to traditional installed games.
The low latency and high-speed capabilities of 5G networks significantly reduce lag and enable smooth gameplay, minimizing the difference between cloud-based and installed games. This means that gamers can enjoy high-quality graphics, immersive gameplay, and real-time multiplayer experiences through cloud gaming without sacrificing performance.
In terms of user-generated content (UGC), cloud gaming offers significant advantages over downloaded games. Creating UGC, such as gameplay videos, live streaming, or sharing in-game achievements, is much simpler on cloud gaming platforms. With built-in recording and sharing features, players can easily capture and share their gameplay moments directly from the cloud platform. This eliminates the need for external recording equipment, software, or complex setups, making it more accessible for gamers to create and share content with the community.
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Furthermore, cloud gaming enhances discoverability and sharing of games. Sharing a cloud game through a link is far more convenient and efficient than sharing an app that requires a lengthy installation process. By sharing a link, gamers can easily distribute games across social media platforms, blogs, forums, or other online channels.
Cloud gaming allows for conversion to a link, which can be easily marketed compared to apps that need installation. The link can then be embedded just like a YouTube video on any webpage that is safer and easy to access.
Guest contributor Aashish Bhatnagar is the Head of Brand and PR at now.gg, a cloud-powered mobile-gaming company, claiming 6 billion+ minutes played monthly and 20 million+ MAU. Any opinions expressed in this article are strictly that of the author.
