Video games have become increasingly complex, both in terms of graphics and mechanics and so they require better computer specifications to run properly. It’s unlikely that you’ll be playing games in 2021 on a PC that’s been around for a while, unless it’s been upgraded significantly. This is where cloud gaming is a solution that allows you to play your favorite games on any device, as long as you can connect to a reliable internet connection.
Cloud gaming servers process video games, not the hardware of your device. They do this by sending you compressed frames in response to input. When you press a button, the input is sent to the cloud-based server which will then send you a brand new video frame in response. It’s a basic idea, but it requires a significant amount of bandwidth to transmit videos in real-time. This has traditionally slowed cloud gaming, but the recent advancements in cell networks and edge computing have enabled cloud gaming to grow.
To accomplish this, platforms like Stadia and NVIDIA’s GeForce Now are able to stream games with near-native quality on devices with varying power. They also eliminate the massive downloads and set-up processes involved in installing a new game on your device, which is important for people who have variable network conditions. Cloud gaming isn’t an option. There are a number of obstacles to overcome, including latency and bandwidth issues.