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[GlassAwful]

I've posted in a few topics about streaming and noticed a trend of naysayers denying the streaming future on our horizon.

I'm not a proponent of the all streaming future (other than for demos) I'm just one to believe that it will end up a successful business venture and that it will likely overtake traditional gaming sooner than people would hope.

Case in point - I never thought I would give up my physical game library and buy into Gamepass but here I am with a 3 year subscription after the $1 upgrade deal..

Beyond the fact I've submitted myself to not owning many of the games I planned to buy on xbox I found myself faced with the prospect of trying out dozens if not hundreds of games I might not have otherwise bothered with before I was snapped back to reality by the burden of having to download, install and update any said games.. These things are not just a mental barrier but a time and bandwidth one.

But what if I could click on any one of these games and be playing within seconds while I wait for the game proper to download in the background?... Or just stream a demo. That seems to be what xCloud is going to bring. It would then turn Gamepass into the literal Netflix of games...

That's when I realized how it's going to happen.. I thought about my collection of high def blu rays collecting dust while the lady and I elect for the ease of clicking and streaming a flick over getting up to swap in discs for the superior experience. I can see myself getting similarly lazy with many games that don't require quick reflexes and how that could become a similar trend among casual players. I can see people playing Fortnite or COD streamed on a tablet or phone anywhere they go and that blowing up the popularity of streaming services.

More and more people electing the simpler method to game is going to result in more streaming gaming investment, interest from publishers and eventually focus from the hardware manufacturers.

And this is how traditional games die... Not with a bang but with the simple click of a button.

I'm conflicted about this. On one hand I'm lazy as can be and would love to demo games easily, but I don't want the traditional market to wither away. I'm also concerned the effect a service like this could do to traditional single player experiences and game quality if people go back to digesting games like they did in the old arcade days. It would be a boon to indies but possibly diminish the breadth of AAAs not built around GAAS, though these are already in decline... Then there's all the other issues streaming brings us like a complete lack of control of content we have access to, preservation of games, more shitty monetization schemes (add another $1 for extra lives!), etc.

So before the flame posts begin is there anyone out there that agrees with this prediction of the future? Does anyone see it going down differently, or do you only see streaming falling flat on it's face?

 

[Hideous Snake]

I don't see a future for streaming. People still loves to own physical edition of games even if they own a digital copy of it (me included). Depending on streaming alone is a big risk. If a server outrage happens, you won't be able to play the games you bought nor play anything at all. If people wants to go fully streaming then that's up to them but speaking about myself, I don't see myself in the future streaming my games. Also keep in mind that plenty of people doesn't have even a decent internet around the world. So the streaming will be popular maybe mostly in good internet countries

 

[DanielsM]

I don't think you have much to worry about, imo.

Streaming
- isn't going to be cheaper, not if companies want to make money
- its going to be worse quality than native playing, generally speaking
- you can already do it yourself for literally nothing

Subscription based software for new games
- lots of head winds in this one, as the amount they are going to have charge is going to have to be much higher than people want to pay, eventually.
- some people don't like the thought of lack of ownership
- potential to be be a huge money loser, look at even movie streaming companies
- the older games component is weak as old games are cheap as hell

I think Sony has the right approach, eventually old games can't be moved forward.... streaming is fine when you do yourself, subscriptions for games is generally going to be tough for a Netflix type service I think if we're talking new releases but there might be some models that could work one day.

The way games are sold today is going to be hard to beat. Furthermore, you'll find that some of these subscriptions are really competing with other subscriptions. I mean if you have PS+ you already a 2 games a month (it use to be 6) and that actually somewhat competes with PS Now, and older game sales on PSN. Something like PS Remote Play competes with PS Now as far as streaming.

 

[meirl]

The hell is wrong with you OP? This is optional. Microsoft already said this will NEVER replace local gaming. It's just an option, so why not?

 

[Leonidas]

If a monthly subscription of downloadable games for a low price every month that covers both PC and console games (while still having the option to buy games) is the darkest timeline, sign me up.

Not interested in the cloud stuff, but Game Pass is great.

 

[Danjin44]

I don't see a future for streaming. People still loves to own physical edition of games even if they own a digital copy of it (me included). Depending on streaming alone is a big risk. If a server outrage happens, you won't be able to play the games you bought nor play anything at all. If people wants to go fully streaming then that's up to them but speaking about myself, I don't see myself in the future streaming my games. Also keep in mind that plenty of people doesn't have even a decent internet around the world. So the streaming will be popular maybe mostly in good internet countries

Yap, currently internet is waaay too unreliable to property streaming games with good quality picture. Also I don't like the idea something might happen and my internet goes out, I no longer can play my single player games offline.

 

[Burrito Bandito]

I don't see a future for streaming. People still loves to own physical edition of games even if they own a digital copy of it (me included). Depending on streaming alone is a big risk. If a server outrage happens, you won't be able to play the games you bought nor play anything at all. If people wants to go fully streaming then that's up to them but speaking about myself, I don't see myself in the future streaming my games. Also keep in mind that plenty of people doesn't have even a decent internet around the world. So the streaming will be popular maybe mostly in good internet countries

of course it will happen, its obvious. Streaming is 100% the future of gaming and it makes total sense. Why require physical space (discs or hdd) when you dont need to? The market is excellent at weeding out redundancies.

The proof os already in the pudding. People still own physical copies but the number of digital only purchases continue to rise to the point that the trajectory is complete elimination of discs; hence why gamestop is crumbling.

Im not worried about "not owning" the game or a company taking my game away that i paid $60 for. Why? free market competition. I could see google doing that if they were the only players but xcloud will just come along and provide people a service that doesnt do that and set an industry standard.

I love consoles and have the same nostalgia attached to them and physical games as you but i can admit that they wont exist at all in 10 years

 

[Alx]

I don't see a future for streaming. People still loves to own physical edition of games even if they own a digital copy of it (me included). Depending on streaming alone is a big risk. If a server outrage happens, you won't be able to play the games you bought nor play anything at all. If people wants to go fully streaming then that's up to them but speaking about myself, I don't see myself in the future streaming my games. Also keep in mind that plenty of people doesn't have even a decent internet around the world. So the streaming will be popular maybe mostly in good internet countries

All those arguments were exactly the same that were used when Netflix started its streaming platform. They were true too, but still movie streaming has become popular almost everywhere. Same will probably be true for gaming. It doesn't prevent people from owning their movies/games if that's what they prefer, and as a matter of fact that may be my case too (I still have my movie collection and don't subscribe to Netflix, and I doubt I'll have enough time to justify an "all you can play" subscription).

 

[Nikana]

Streaming will Co exist for games just as it has for movies.

 

[Night.Ninja]

If a monthly subscription of downloadable games for a low price every month that covers both PC and console games (while still having the option to buy games) is the darkest timeline, sign me up.

Not interested in the cloud stuff, but Game Pass is great.

Slow day

 

[DanielsM]

of course it will happen, its obvious. Streaming is 100% the future of gaming and it makes total sense. Why require physical space (discs or hdd) when you dont need to? The market is excellent at weeding out redundancies.

The proof os already in the pudding. People still own physical copies but the number of digital only purchases continue to rise to the point that the trajectory is complete elimination of discs; hence why gamestop is crumbling.

Im not worried about "not owning" the game or a company taking my game away that i paid $60 for. Why? free market competition. I could see google doing that if they were the only players but xcloud will just come along and provide people a service that doesnt do that and set an industry standard.

I love consoles and have the same nostalgia attached to them and physical games as you but i can admit that they wont exist at all in 10 years

Most of your post refers to me more about digital than streaming.

There are already services you describe, most of them aren't doing that great.

 

[GlassAwful]

The hell is wrong with you OP? This is optional. Microsoft already said this will NEVER replace local gaming. It's just an option, so why not?

I simply explained how I'm going to be a complicit user of such a feature and also how I think it could over take traditional games which, in my opinion, will lead to some not so good things. Nothing to get your panties in a twist about. It's half my prediction and half my opinion of that prediction.

The hell is wrong with you?

 

[Sacred]

More options equal bad, this post doesn't make any sense.

 

[dcx4610]

Assuming physical media completely goes away on consoles after PS5/XB2 (which is a good assumption), I don't think you'll see Sony or Microsoft go full streaming ever. You are eliminating too big of a market by doing that. Now I could see late in the PS5/XB2 lifespan them releasing a streaming only box but I think it will be very niche. People want choice and only giving an option of streaming will appeal to only those with strong internet connections and that are fairly tech savvy. If you get a standard PS5, you're going to be able to do both anyway so it's a bit pointless to remove an option outside of price.

While streaming will be an option like PSNow, I don't think you have to worry about it being the ONLY option for at least another decade or more.

 

[Knightime_X]

Streaming won't be front and center until internet connections speeds are very cheap, no caps and 200mbps minimum.
But even then, nobody will pay a premium for a game with an expiration date.

 

[hariseldon]

The hell is wrong with you OP? This is optional. Microsoft already said this will NEVER replace local gaming. It's just an option, so why not?

Do you always believe what a corporation tells you?

 

[Deleted member 752119]

Nah. This is a great option to go alongside traditional physical and purchasing digital options for those of us who rarely replay things and aren't collectors. It's not a replacement and will be like movies and music where purchase options exist along side streaming.

 

[Hendrick's]

In 10 years, streaming will more than likely be the norm for gaming.

 

[SpinningBirdKick]

A streaming model needs great content.

Not just "Good enough for GamePass"(tm) quality.

If you're just offering average first party and third party titles what are you really getting that makes it more compelling than a Stadia offering that is likely to have a free tier?

 

[DanielsM]

In 10 years, streaming will more than likely be the norm for gaming.

That's what they said 10 years ago.

Is 'cloud computing' the future of video games? - CNN.com

Playing high-profile video games quickly from portable devices such as your iPad might get easier after this week's Electronic Entertainment Expo.

www.cnn.com

 

[quest]

Gamepass is awesome for me personally. I don't collect or replay games. I love the option to try many games I would never had if I had to pay for. Streaming I see as a compliment to your game system. A way to play your games away from home. I don't see it as a replacement but as a cool accessory.

 

[Bigdaddydom]

I'm personally loving the PC game pass, I would have never payed full price for Wolfenstein 2 or Crackdown 3

 

[yurinka]

Did they confirm that the library of xCloud games that you'll stream from MS servers are the same one included in Game Pass?

Or are they going to charge a separated subscription and to have a different library of games as it happens with Gold and Gamepass (or with PS Now and PS+)?

I know that you'll be able the games you own from your console to your phone as you do in PS with Remote Play, but I'm asking for when streaming from MS servers to your console or phone.

In 10 years, streaming will more than likely be the norm for gaming.

In 10 years they will continue being a secondary, complementary option because many regions will still have data caps, others won't have internet, others still won't have a good enough connections and many players will still prefer to play with better input lag and no compression artifacts.

The majority of gamers will still be mobile gamers, the console market will continue slowly growing but the streaming market share will grow a lot compared to the current numbers.

 

[Spukc]

This thread is dumb and you should feel bad OP.

 

[DESTROYA]

I hate the whole idea of all streaming service for gaming,

 

[bitbydeath]

Eventually streaming will become acceptable.



We're probably at least twenty years out from having the infrastructure though.

 

[Boss Mog]

You don't need a box with cutting edge Ryzen 2 + Navi tech if you're planning on a streaming future. Sony and MS get that most gamers don't want it and there's still a shit-ton of technical hurdles that will prevent streaming from becoming mainstream anytime soon.

 

[Hendrick's]

In 10 years they will continue being a secondary, complementary option because many regions will still have data caps, others won't have internet, others still won't have a good enough connections and many players will still prefer to play with better input lag and no compression artifacts.

Not the ones that matter. It might be longer than 10 years, but I can't see it being more than 15. It all comes down to how long 5G takes to roll out.

 

[RavageX]

The proof os already in the pudding. People still own physical copies but the number of digital only purchases continue to rise to the point that the trajectory is complete elimination of discs; hence why gamestop is crumbling.

They are failing because they have been poorly run for years, IF they changed their focus back to games and actually make trading and buying pre-owned items worth it, they would be in a better spot than they are now.

 

[Mattyp]

Not the ones that matter. It might be longer than 10 years, but I can't see it being more than 15. It all comes down to how long 5G takes to roll out.

5G has been rolled out in our capitals since last year, not that I've had a device to use it yet but better to be prepared I guess

 

[Hendrick's]

5G has been rolled out in our capitals since last year, not that I've had a device to use it yet but better to be prepared I guess

I meant rolled out everywhere. Still, we will have to see data caps become a thing of the past.

 

[Mattyp]

I meant rolled out everywhere. Still, we will have to see data caps become a thing of the past.

Oh no doubt, I was just implying I think it would be rolled out way quicker than in 15 years. Just look at the time difference between 4g -> 5g. There's 5G plans available with unlimited data for $70aus a month around $40 euros in the rollout stage now, I think telcos see this is as a massive market to take over land line connections and be in control of the backbone fully instead of just leasing like then do for the fibre optic (here anyway) so we'll see a very accelerated rollout.

 

[yurinka]

Not the ones that matter. It might be longer than 10 years, but I can't see it being more than 15. It all comes down to how long 5G takes to roll out.

5G will still have data caps and won't cover all the world, like the current infrastucture there will be spots with no coverage.

 

[DanielsM]

Not the ones that matter. It might be longer than 10 years, but I can't see it being more than 15. It all comes down to how long 5G takes to roll out.

5g isn't really any thing different, you'll get more bandwidth and potentially less latency in some instances (i.e. mobile) but the barriers will still be the same i.e. latency and costs. I'm confused as to why people think 5g really solves anything as it pertains to streaming.

 

[Hendrick's]

5g isn't really any thing different, you'll get more bandwidth and potentially less latency in some instances (i.e. mobile) but the barriers will still be the same i.e. latency and costs. I'm confused as to why people think 5g really solves anything as it pertains to streaming.

For the reasons you just stated. Much lower latency and much higher bandwidth.

 

[llien]

Fuck streaming only future.

 

[Deleted member 752119]

Not the ones that matter. It might be longer than 10 years, but I can't see it being more than 15. It all comes down to how long 5G takes to roll out.

Hard to say it's not the markets that matter when the US is one of the countries with data caps in a lot of places. Including major metro areas. My only option in my area in Atlanta (technically I'm a mile or so outside of city limits) is Comcast and they have a 1TB cap. Monopolies are a huge problem, as is the lack of net neutrality laws with a federal government heavily influenced by corporate lobbyists.

That said, I do think digital and streaming will grow exponentially. I just think physical will be there along side them for a long time just like you can still buy CDs and even records for music or DVDs, Blu-ray's and UHD discs for movies and tv shows despite the dominance of streaming in those industries. Content producers want to sell as much of their content as possible.

 

[logicslayer]

So here's the plan... We pull all porn off the internet (impossible, I know), then we have the porn industry artificially inflate their file sizes. Thus requiring more bandwidth and higher or preferably no data caps. Problem solved.

 

[DanielsM]

For the reasons you just stated. Much lower latency and much higher bandwidth.

We can notice the input latency when we use game streaming on a local network with basically one hop, the latency isn't really going away, could be reduce some but not drastically imo, or very unlikely.

Bandwidth is really not an issue probably for the mass market right now, but the latency is.

 

[Animagic]

streaming games is not for me. I'm glad for those that are excited for that.

Also, how many people are playing through games in their entirety on gamepass (not being snarky, genuinely curious)
My wife played through the newest Tomb Raider game in a weekend and it cost pennies. I don't see how this kind of thing is sustainable for AAA devs

 

[GustavoLT]

maybe in 2077!

 

[Angry_Megalodon]

These bold predictions truly amuse me for they feel like trying so hard to be the one to score first and then say "hey guys, I told you so ! "


So, NO. For next gen, and very likely the one after that, Streaming is NOT taking the place of traditional games.

 

[Deleted member 752119]

streaming games is not for me. I'm glad for those that are excited for that.

Also, how many people are playing through games in their entirety on gamepass (not being snarky, genuinely curious)
My wife played through the newest Tomb Raider game in a weekend and it cost pennies. I don't see how this kind of thing is sustainable for AAA devs

Any subscription service is making profits mostly from users who subscribe and use it lightly. Netflix etc. would have collapsed if every user streamed several hours a day. Gyms would be over crowded and collapse if every member worked out an hour plus five or more days a week and so on.

Things like Gamepass will make money as a lot of subscribers will be people who before were only buying a couple games a year and now subscribe to that and probably still buy a couple games a year. While a lot of hardcore users are people on forums like this who aren't big on these models and like to own things and will keep buying their 10 plus games--while maybe buying a month here and there if they want to sample a bunch of games or whatever.

 

[Animagic]

Any subscription service is making profits mostly from users who subscribe and use it lightly. Netflix etc. would have collapsed if every user streamed several hours a day. Gyms would be over crowded and collapse if every member worked out an hour plus five or more days a week and so on.

Things like Gamepass will make money as a lot of subscribers will be people who before were only buying a couple games a year and now subscribe to that and probably still buy a couple games a year. While a lot of hardcore users are people on forums like this who aren't big on these models and like to own things and will keep buying their 10 plus games--while maybe buying a month here and there if they want to sample a bunch of games or whatever.

That makes sense. Doesn't the money allocated get distributed to devs based on playtime? That would incentivize games that take ages to play then? FFXIV for gamepass?

 

[Deleted member 752119]

That makes sense. Doesn't the money allocated get distributed to devs based on playtime? That would incentivize games that take ages to play then? FFXIV for gamepass?

Probably.

Another thing I neglected to mention is there is a hope that this undercuts used sales. MS and the publisher of a game get nothing after the initial sale if someone sells/trades that copy and several other people buy/borrow that copy and play it instead of buying. If those budget conscious types buying second hand games, borrowing from friends etc. now sign up for Gamepass, future streaming services etc. they're now getting some money from them vs. none (or less) before when they were buying used/borrowing.

It's all a way to just figure out how to maximize profits. The diehards and collectors will keep buying games digitally and physically, and their hope is they'll get more money from casuals who end up spending more per year subscribing to services than they were before buying games as long as some diehards subscribing along with buying a similar amount of games as they like having the option to sample more games than they were buying previously.

Time will tell if they're right, but I'd say the odds are in their favor given how music and movies have gotten to where physical and digital purchases co-exist with streaming being prevalent.

 

[Codes 208]

This thread is dumb and you should feel bad OP.

And here i thought fantasy co and afro made bad polls...

 

[johntown]

I hate to say it but streaming is the future and it will eventually be pushed on people whether they want it or not. How far in the future still remains to be seen but I think this next generation of consoles will be the last that will support physical media.

I hope I am wrong.

 

[Slings and Arrows]

What the fuck is it with gamers getting all pissy and offensive towards game pass?

It's a shit load of games for next to nothing at all. it's hours of entertainment for pennies!

No wonder the industry treats its' customers like shit. What more do you want?

Fuck me.

 

[quickwhips]

I would never pay to stream my games. I tried psnow and it was bad. I did enjoy remote play on my ps4. I'm looking forward to remote play on my Xbox. Whatever they may call it.

 

[JustP_Gaming]

If streaming games works as well as streaming movies and music it WILL be the future of gaming, there is no question in my mind about that.