Newzoo shared an analysis of the cloud platform market. And reflected it on the infographic.
This spring, Google announced the Stadia cloud platform. This event made competitors stir — Microsoft, Tencent, Amazon, etc. But the main thing is that cloud gaming has been talked about massively.
Nevertheless, large platforms that allow you to play in the cloud have existed for years. But not everyone became global. The largest here is PlayStation Now, whose audience in April was 700 thousand people. The nuance is that the site has two functions: playing in the cloud and downloading games. And many subscribers prefer the second function to the first.
Now the cloud gaming infrastructure, according to Newzoo, consists of five key parts.
Let’s analyze each segment in more detail.
Cloud solutions
These are direct platforms — both b2b-oriented and intended for ordinary gamers. The section includes:
- cloud gaming platforms (Ortex, Loudplay, SHADOW);
- game content delivery services, including subscription services (Origin Access, Xbox Game Pass, Apple Arcade);
- platforms with combined functions — both game delivery and streaming (Google Stadia, PS Now, Project xCloud);
- special devices and applications for cloud streaming (Steam Link, Tencent’s WeGame, PS4 Remote Play).
Computing ecosystem
Something that supports the work of the sites. This:
- cloud providers (IMB, Google, Amazon Web Services);
- GPU/CPU services (Nvidia, AMD, Intel);
- servers where game content is stored (DELL, Lenovo, etc.). They are located in hundreds of data centers around the world.
Providers
Here are both Internet service providers and telecommunications (Comcast, Orange, Vodafon and many others). Newzoo analysts assign them a key role in the entire content delivery system in the cloud. No wonder: high-quality streaming is possible only with high and uninterrupted operation of Internet systems.
Game publishers and developers
This includes game content creators and publishers such as Ubisoft, Activision Blizzard, Capcom and dozens of others. Their games get to the sites, are sold at full price or distributed by subscription.
Access ecosystem (devices)
What users play on in the cloud. The most important advantage of streaming technologies is the ability to run games on a full range of devices, whether consoles, smartphones or PCs. In addition to the three platforms mentioned, Newzoo also highlights “smart TVs” and media boxes — both for gaming and streaming.
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