Cloud gaming technology made its first appearance in 2000 at E3 with Game Cluster; it was then packaged and ready for public release in 2003. But despite the promising early model for cloud gaming, it never latched on in the 2000s, thanks to a lack of reliable infrastructure. It wasn't until Microsoft, Sony, and even Google came into the picture that cloud streaming finally took off; as more businesses took the leap, more parties built platforms for cloud streaming.

Cloud gaming aims to grant everyone access to AAA games without the pressure of purchasing additional (expensive) hardware from every manufacturer. Hypothetically, you can turn your newly bought premium Android tablet into a gaming device without using the Play Store (to download games); you can launch xCloud to play Starfield.

But even with this lower barrier of entry to play AAA games, there are some caveats to using these cloud streaming services. To help catch everyone up to the pros and cons of cloud gaming, we outline how the technology works while addressing its benefits and concerns with gaming.

How cloud gaming works

You're essentially playing a game remotely. Games are hosted on remote servers and are streamed to your device. All the processing power to run these games depends on the virtual server, but your device needs to handle the internet bandwidth required. This is an acceptable trade for not having to install these games directly while saving cash by not having to purchase powerful/expensive hardware.

using luna controller connected to a phone on a stand while laying in bed
Source: Amazon

The downfall of playing games streamed from a server is the potential for high latency and dropped frames. When you press a button, there can be a perceptible delay with that action. That's a recipe for disaster when playing games that require high response times to function, so not every game will translate well when played over cloud gaming technology.

Cloud gaming relies on a stable internet connection

Cloud gaming relies heavily on your internet connection, so if your connection drops often or isn't steady, your cloud gaming experience will vary. Not everyone will have the luxury/access to a dependable internet connection, which may lead to the downfall of depending on this technology for your primary gaming experience.

Streaming is great for Android

Mobile gaming brings unwanted limitations, like storage space constraints and the lack of AAA titles released on the platform. Storage space is a considerable issue for the general populace, and it isn't feasible to ever fork out for extra storage space to match up to hefty software. Imagine needing almost a Terabyte of storage, as you would on PC — that's not plausible for most, especially for an Android phone or tablet. However, thanks to streaming, it doesn't matter how many Gigabytes your phone has; you can still freely run these games.

holding a tablet with thumbs on the game controls
Source: Microsoft

So how do you alleviate these issues? The answer lies in cloud gaming technology. You don't have to download and install games with cloud gaming technology; you simply play them over an internet connection. This means your phone's specs don't really matter; you can play demanding games without the need for expensive hardware when streaming.

Cloud technology is a work in progress

This is why cloud gaming technology could enable a future for Android gaming where specs don't matter as much as they do now, but we are not quite there yet. We still have to worry about battery life, whether your device can connect to 5G, and you'll also care if your screen can fit the cluttered mess for on-screen controls. Sometimes we don't want the hassle of forcing cloud gaming as a solution when it isn't quite ready, and we may opt into dedicated hardware, anyway.

Major cloud gaming services

xbox controller infront of tablet and phone
Source: Microsoft

Many companies picked up on the emergence of cloud gaming technology and have sought to host and become service providers for compatible devices and consoles. As a result, we've devised a small list containing the leading cloud gaming services available today.

Most listed platforms will require signing up for a subscription plan to use cloud gaming services fully. Paying subscription fees has pros and cons, so you must weigh these out accordingly.

Dedicated streaming hardware

Hardware and peripheral manufacturers are also looking to make dedicated streaming hardware for gamers; more prominent names like Logitech, Razer, and Verizon are trying to hop on the bandwagon, along with a flurry of new gaming Chromebooks. But the jury is still out on whether these devices take off compared to the alternative, native high-end gaming hardware.

The perception of cloud gaming and the current state

As cloud gaming stands now, it is still a work in progress. First, companies must invest in streamlining the technology, setting up dedicated data centers and GPUs for everyone to access. Next, the cloud game catalog (with expected optimization) has to grow significantly to validate the subscription costs. But, of course, this takes time and a lot of money — and substantial proof that the market exists.

Even major tech giants like Google had a massive hiccup with Google Stadia, which led to the service's shutdown in early 2023. Others debate if cloud gaming is just a transient technology or if it will eventually overtake the market for gaming.

Phil Spence (Microsoft Gaming CEO) doesn't project the transformation into cloud gaming for the next few years. Overall, it doesn't mean the future is bleak; technology is constantly improving, and we are off to a much better start than we were a decade ago. Now, the market for cloud gaming is predicted to grow significantly by 2027 — so we might be even inching closer to a future where streaming becomes the more prominent choice for gaming.

The future for multi-platform gaming is in cloud gaming

With platform exclusives and companies aggressively rigging the competition with their products, it becomes exhausting to keep up with next-gen consoles. And in other cases, you'd much prefer spending your hard-earned cash on a premium all-purpose phone or tablet over a device specialized for gaming.

It's why we turn to cloud gaming. It offers consumers more choices on how they want to play their games while still allowing brand-new devices to shine. Of course, only time can tell if the best Android games arrive in those additional spaces. Regardless, streaming AAA games using cloud technology is still the way to go if you plan to play on your smart TV or Android.