Ask any hardcore gamer which is better PS3 or Xbox 360 and you will here a list of pros and cons despite the fact that both systems are very similar in capabilities and access to games.
Early on in our MS-MBA classes we saw diagrams outlining the evolution of the gaming industry with all the spokes leading back to the gaming platforms. Cloud gaming may be the next diagram for this evolution. Xbox 360 (and I believe PS3) already offer access to many games online, but these games are generally downloaded to your console's harddrive before you can play them. Moving games to the cloud could potentially marginalize the need for a robust console. The consoles could become simple portals to game libraries with the basic hardware for controllers.
This change would also eliminate the need for consoles to have disc readers to play games. Some computers (including my laptop) have already eliminated the CD-ROM drive. If I need to import/export information, I use the USB or high speed internet.
The question is who will be dominating player in this change. A movement away from the console centric view invites powerful players, previously unheard of in the gaming industry, such as Virgin. They can channel investment and solely focus on building their cloud. Microsoft and Sony would have to slowly transition their users into the cloud or face backlash from their customer base. Console makers will have to make some hard decisions in the very near future or face being left in the dust if cloud gaming takesoff.
I want to disagree with this, probably because I don't personally have a desire for cloud gaming. At least I didn't until my xBox broke.
ReplyDeleteI thought there must be some big enough issue like bandwidth, publisher relationships, or interface that has been holding this back. After looking into OnLive a bit, now I'm not so sure.
From its website:
"OnLive provides the world’s highest performance Games On Demand service, instantly delivering the latest high-end titles over home broadband Internet to the TV and entry-level PCs and Macintosh® computers.
Founded by noted technology entrepreneur Steve Perlman (WebTV, QuickTime) and incubated within the Rearden media and technology incubator, OnLive spent seven years in stealth development before officially unveiling in March 2009.
OnLive, together with its Mova subsidiary, lies directly at the nexus of several key trends, all of which are reshaping the way we think about and use digital media:
•The shift to cloud computing, displacing the limitations, cost and complexity of local computing;
•An explosion of consumer broadband connectivity, bringing fast bandwidth to the home;
•Unprecedented innovation, creativity and expansion within the video game market.
Pioneering the delivery of rich interactive media to the home, OnLive will change the way that entertainment applications are created, delivered and consumed."
I'm still going to get the xBox repaired as I'm happy to let others level out the bumps sure to come along with early adoption. I'll certainly keep an eye on it though.