What are cloud games?

In normal games, you have the software installed on your console or computer. The game runs on the device directly on the site. With cloud gaming, on the other hand, the game runs on an external server and does not need to be downloaded. Data is constantly exchanged over the Internet between the console and your server: the console sends your input – eg you moved the stick left or you pressed button A. The input is processed on the server. The server, in turn, can broadcast the audio and video data to your console. So there is a permanent exchange of data over the Internet. All this happens constantly and so fast that with a good internet you will not even notice any difference between cloud games and regular games.

Cloud gaming gives you more flexibility. This way you don’t have to clear your console memory before you can play a new game. Instead, you can get started right away. In addition, many cloud games are not individual purchases, but part of a large streaming package. You will then pay a fixed monthly amount and you can choose from a variety of games. This means that you have more options at lower costs than if you bought each game separately. Another advantage lies in the hardware requirements that are no longer necessary. You can then use cloud gaming to stream the most demanding games on consoles like the Nintendo Switch or even on your smartphone, which may not meet the necessary hardware requirements.

A major disadvantage of cloud gaming is the constantly required internet connection. If your internet is too slow or keeps dropping out, you won’t be able to play through cloud games. The game then launches, but the real problem is the lag – the delay between console input and image output. So if you have a stable and fast internet connection of at least 10Mbit/s, cloud gaming should run smoothly. Another smaller flaw lies in the final streaming system: the providers of these services have complete control over the games currently offered. At worst, you are in the middle of a game full of stories and then suddenly the game becomes unavailable.

There are many cloud gaming providers. Google Stadia is one of the most famous examples. This cloud gaming/streaming service is provided by Google itself. It plays on the console of the same name and other platforms such as Chromecast. Sony offers PlayStation Now for PS4 and PS5. The announced xBox Cloud Gaming allows you to stream games on xBox Series X/S and xBox One. With GeForce now you can turn almost any device like notebook, home computer, Mac, Android smartphones and tablets or iPhone and iPod into a game console.

The Nintendo Switch also offers cloud gaming, for example with the current Hitman part. Here you do not buy a broadcast kit, but specifically the game. You can then play Hitman whenever you have an internet connection. Steam Link is an exception for cloud gaming. The game is also streamed here – either to Steam Link devices or via the Steam Link app on the console. However, the game is not streamed from an external server and must be played on your computer. For example, you can comfortably play with friends in front of the TV in the living room, while your gaming computer hosts the game in another room.