Cyber Blog

Cloud gaming has been available for several years, but it is only recently that companies like NVIDIA and Microsoft have found success as network speeds have improved. However, Sony has taken a more cautious approach, with CEO Kenichiro Yoshida stating that the technical challenges in cloud gaming are currently too significant for it to be successful.

Sony’s stance on cloud gaming has changed over time. The company acquired Gaikai, a leader in game streaming technology, in 2012. However, experts believe that Sony failed to capitalize on this advantage. While Sony does offer a cloud gaming option through its PS Plus subscription, the content is limited to PS4 titles and select classic games.

Despite Yoshida’s skepticism, Microsoft’s Xbox Cloud Gaming and NVIDIA GeForce Now have performed better than expected. GeForce Now has proven to be compatible with various platforms, including low-end PCs, laptops, Chromebooks, and MacBooks.

Yoshida acknowledged the challenges faced by NVIDIA and Microsoft, particularly with the issue of idle hardware during non-peak usage. Sony, on the other hand, used this idle time to train its GT Sophy AI agent, which was introduced as a special challenge in Gran Turismo.

While Yoshida downplays cloud gaming, Microsoft sees it as a crucial part of its gaming future and has made significant investments in the sector. Microsoft has also been offering cloud gaming deals to ease tensions and gain regulatory approval for its acquisition of Activision Blizzard.

Cloud gaming has shown promising results, with acceptable latency and improved game catalogs. Microsoft’s Xbox Cloud Gaming offers a diverse range of content, including new AAA titles. NVIDIA’s GeForce Now supports a larger selection of games, although ownership on supported platforms like Steam or Epic is required. Cloud gaming is expected to continue growing, and Sony’s cautious approach may prove to be a regrettable decision in the future.