• About
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Submit For Review
  • Template Gallery
  • Excel 2016 Udemy Course
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

TheAppTimes

App Reviews, Tutorials, & Gadget News Hub

  • Gadgets
  • How To
  • Mobile Apps
  • Software and Web Apps
  • Buying Guides
  • Show Search
Hide Search
Home » How To » Open Cloud Gaming: Can the Cloud be Fun?

Open Cloud Gaming: Can the Cloud be Fun?

June 3, 2013

The cloud has proven itself to be an ideal technology for the global and mobile business world. But the cloud doesn’t have to be all about work. Gamers are also turning to the cloud. However, to truly optimize cloud-based gaming, companies need an infrastructure that can scale to handle millions of new users, with world-class reliability and vendor neutrality to control costs. Historically, cloud gaming systems have been closed-source with proprietary protocols, but slowly, the open cloud is making its way into the gaming world.

For instance, a group of researchers developed what they consider to be the first open cloud gaming system that can be used on any OS and is supposed to match or exceed the processing capabilities of some of the most popular cloud gaming systems. Sony has also introduced an open cloud gaming platform, Gaikai.

The Benefit of this Open Cloud Gaming System

Open Cloud Gaming System

The benefit of this open cloud gaming system, according to website The Art of Service, is the ability to “play games which normally require systems with powerful graphics cards and tons of RAM on even lower-end systems.”

From a technical point of view, there is very little difference between an open cloud gaming system and a closed cloud gaming system, according to Benjamin Ellinger, Director of the Game Design Program and Software Production at DigiPen Institute of Technology. “The difference is whether there is an established service such as Gaikai or OnLive that is providing the servers and bandwidth, or whether you have to host your own servers and provide your own bandwidth,” he said.

Almost the entire challenge for cloud gaming comes down to being able to stream a live game at a low enough bandwidth and with low enough latency to create a good player experience, Ellinger pointed out.

Challenges

“While the software to do this is a little bit of a challenge, it’s the location and cost of the server farms that are the real issue,” he said. “OnLive went with server farms that were fewer in number and further apart (but more cost-effective), and arguably the increased latency this caused was a major factor in their downfall. Gaikai went with more server farms that were on average closer to the players (but more expensive), then got bought by Sony (so they obviously think this strategy will work, although it remains to be seen if it does.”

ALSO READ:  Google Stadia Game Streaming Service Launches on Nov 19th – A Guide

The challenge of even these well-funded closed systems shows the problem with an open system: the servers are the hard part. “If I try to run my own cloud servers for a game I make (or even for a set of games my studio makes), I’ve got a huge on-going cost that I can’t make cheaper by load-balancing a lot of different games from different studios/publishers,” Ellinger continued. “A closed service is going to be able to do that much cheaper (and with lower latency, better reliability, etc.), so I’m much better off just paying them a cut to do it for me. It makes sense that a platform company, like Sony, would run a service like this because they have a huge number of games on their platform, so it could in theory work.”

Conclusion

Cloud gaming could introduce a whole new audience to the gaming industry, primarily through its ease of use. Even better, open source gaming takes away the barriers of operating systems, browsers, and cost.

Sue Proemba blogs for Rackspace Hosting. Rackspace Hosting is the service leader in cloud computing, and a founder of OpenStack, an open source cloud operating system. The San Antonio-based company provides Fanatical Support to its customers and partners, across a portfolio of IT services, including Managed Hosting and Cloud Computing

Tweet
Share5
WhatsApp
Pin1
Buffer
6 Shares

Filed Under: How To Tagged With: gaming

You May Also Like

Perfect Online Gambling Platform - TATFI
Why Mobile is the Perfect Online Gambling Platform
Games to Play on Xbox One, PS4, and Switch - TATFI
5 Brilliant Games to Play on Xbox One, PS4, and Nintendo Switch Right Now!
Google Stadia Game Streaming Service - TATFI
Google Stadia Game Streaming Service Launches on Nov 19th – A Guide

About Adeline Gear

Adeline is a tech enthusiast who loves exploring the latest tools and applications in the marketplace. She also loves her Android and spends time reviewing apps and playing games when she has the time.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Hottest New Gadgets!

Best Luggage Tags for the Constant Traveller - TATFI

Best Luggage Tags for the Constant Traveller

Amazfit Band 7 - TATFI

Keep Track of Your Physical Activity with Amazfit Band 7 (Just $50)

Best Wireless Headphones to Buy in 2022 - TATFI

The Best Wireless Headphones to Buy in 2022

HyperX DuoCast USB Microphone - TATFI

Need New Microphones? Take a Look at the Fabulous HyperX DuoCast USB Microphone

Xiaomi Smart Band 7 - TATFI

Xiaomi Smart Band 7 Launches with Always On Display in 6 New Colors

Popular Tags

android android apps android games android how to apple casino games chrome extensions excel excel how to facebook gaming gmail google instagram ios apps ios games ios how to ios tips ipad iphone kids apps learn excel management microsoft music apps new releases outlook how to photo apps powerpoint powerpoint how to productivity Samsung security smartphone smartphones software tablet tablets technology twitter web browsers windows 10 word how to xbox youtube

Disclosure

TheAppTimes is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

TheAppTimes © 2022 // Runs on StudioPress