Katarzyna Petru
A few years ago, cloud gaming was supposed to be a revolution that would replace consoles and computers. Then came the collision with reality: high latency, unstable connections and a limited game library dampened enthusiasm. Today, the topic returns with new strength. The biggest tech players are again pouring 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 slight delay can ruin dynamic gameplay. The new strategy is based on a distributed infrastructure instead of a few large data centres; companies are opting for smaller computing nodes closer to large user clusters.
This means that the signal does not have to travel hundreds or thousands of kilometres. Shortening the data route results in faster in-game response and more predictable service performance. Combined with the development of fibre-optic networks and 5G, this creates entirely different conditions than just a few years ago.
New technological quality
The current wave of development is not just about infrastructure. Image compression has been improved, bandwidth requirements have been reduced, and streaming in high definition 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 hardware. If the infrastructure actually reduces latency to nearly unnoticeable levels, the cloud could become a viable 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 models of local gaming and streaming as a convenient addition.
Cloud gaming hasn't died; it just 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 cease to be a curiosity and will become a legitimate way of gaming.
