Katarzyna Petru
Just a few years ago, cloud gaming was supposed to be a revolution that would replace consoles and PCs. Then came the reality check: high latency, unstable connections and a limited game library dampened the enthusiasm. Today, the topic is back with renewed strength. The biggest tech players are once again pumping billions into infrastructure and the development of streaming services. The key change? Data centres located closer to users and the use of edge computing. This is what is expected to make cloud gaming stop being a compromise.
Data centres closer to gamers
The biggest problem with cloud gaming has always been lag. Even a small delay can ruin dynamic gameplay. The new strategy is based on a distributed infrastructure rather than a few large data centres; companies are setting up smaller compute nodes closer to major user clusters.
This means the signal doesn’t have to travel hundreds or thousands of kilometres. Shortening the data path results in faster in-game response and more predictable service performance. Combined with the development of fibre networks and 5G, this creates entirely different conditions compared to just a few years ago.
New technological quality
The current wave of development is not just about infrastructure. Image compression has improved, bandwidth requirements have been reduced, and high-definition streaming has been optimised. There is an increasing talk of stable 4K with low latency, which was previously difficult to achieve. Additionally, the integration of cloud gaming with subscription ecosystems is growing. Users do not need expensive equipment; a screen and a fast connection are sufficient. This opens the market to new audiences who previously did not invest in consoles or powerful PCs.
The market has learned that marketing alone is not enough. Users expect quality comparable to local equipment. If the infrastructure can indeed reduce latency to an almost imperceptible level, the cloud could become a real alternative. At the same time, traditional hardware still has an advantage in stability and control over performance. Therefore, a more likely scenario is the coexistence of both local gaming and streaming as a convenient addition.
Cloud gaming hasn't died; it simply needed time and better technology. Investments in data centres closer to users and the development of edge computing could change the game. If the promises translate into a real experience without noticeable lag, the cloud will finally stop being a curiosity and become a legitimate way to play.
