The potential rise of Xbox Cloud gaming could be bad news for the future of physical games. It’s no secret how the popularity of digital gaming has grown exponentially, thanks to the introduction of subscription services and cloud streaming. And if the latest reports are to be believed, it’s only going to get bigger.
It is hard to deny the temptation in choosing the path of digital gaming. The ability to access hundreds of games with the tap of a button allows players to try a lot of titles that they might not have gone for if they were required to buy them outright. so, The industry’s main push for digital and subscription-based gaming hides a much darker truthAs questions arise about the future of physical games and the consequences this has on the player and the ownership of their own library.
What is Xbox’s Cloud Gaming Service?
The ability to play anywhere, on anything
The concept of Xbox Cloud Gaming is quite simple: The ability to access the Xbox game library from anywhere at any time. However, unlike the Nintendo Switch, where the player requires access to the console at all times, Cloud Gaming aims to make the Xbox library easily available on any compatible device with a stable Internet connection, whether it is a laptop or mobile phone. Furthermore, this is extended to how the player chooses to play, either using an Xbox controller, Sony’s DualShock 4, or by using the touch screen with compatible games.
Cloud gaming is built on the idea of ​​convenience, making Xbox games readily available by adapting to what the player has access to at any given time. In its current beta stage, this only includes games available on Xbox Game Pass, viz Fortnite Or Starfield. however, Recent reports suggest that Microsoft may be looking at a mass expansion to include a player’s own digital library. According to a report by The vergeThis rollout is set to begin with Xbox Insiders in November before being made available to all Xbox players.
Microsoft has consistently been at the forefront of digital gaming with Xbox Game Pass, a service allowing players to access hundreds of titles for a monthly fee. Combining the ease of playing multiple popular titles with the flexible gaming experience provided by cloud gaming creates a strong case for Microsoft to convince players to choose digital games over physical. Removing a huge barrier to entry that comes with buying a new console increases the reach of the Xbox To players, potentially becoming more popular than ever.
It’s not just Xbox – PS5 is also moving to digital
Physical games become an inconvenience
Microsoft’s multiple online services have created a huge push for digital games over physical ones, simply by framing digital gaming as a much more convenient and accessible way to play. While Sony is choosing to follow in Microsoft’s footsteps, PlayStation owners have taken it one step further. Unlike Microsoft’s only focus on the benefits of digital gaming, Sony attempts to make the act of playing physical games an inconvenience for the player.
The fate of physical games will only get worse.
The reveal of the PlayStation 5 Pro a few weeks ago came with the caveat that the base console is digital only. instead, The disk drive is sold as an accessory for an extra $79.99Building on the PS5 Pro’s already steep price of $699.99. The change to the upgraded model makes the decision to go digital-only much easier for the consumer. Why spend an extra $80 for a disc drive and $60/$70 on each game when a player can just create a PlayStation Network account and go from there?
It again makes a subscription service much more enticing, with PlayStation Plus providing instant access to a huge library at the player’s fingertips. Sony’s attitude towards physical games feels less like neglect and instead feels more like hostilityAs the company intentionally pushes physical games further into the shadows. If Sony builds on its existing cloud streaming in the same way as Microsoft, making PlayStation games widely accessible on multiple devices, the fate of physical games will only get worse.
Digital-only games and subscription services are the new normal
Digital games are more popular than ever
Microsoft and Sony’s push for digital gaming is certainly paying off. earlier this year, Xbox Game Pass surpassed 34 million active subscribers, while the latest PS Plus subscription report for May 2023 reported a total of 47.4 million subscribers across all tiers. Seeing this success, it is no wonder that other companies have followed suit. EA Play, Ubisoft+, Apple Arcade and more all offer a range of popular titles at the player’s fingertips, proving just how common subscription services have become. If Cloud Gaming proves successful, it would be no surprise to see other companies adopt a similar service in the future.
The future of physical games is more uncertain than ever before. As subscription services and cloud streaming both continue to grow, the industry seems to be giving players one undeniable message: digital is the future. However, hidden in the depths of this campaign are a lot of consequences that the seismic shift will cause, Consequences that will have major effects on the player and the legacy of video games as a whole.
Why cloud gaming is bad for the future of games?
True ownership will soon disappear
Xbox’s cloud gaming service may be convenient, but accessibility to players only goes so far. To use the Xbox Cloud Gaming, the player requires an Internet connection at all times. That’s not mentioning the stable high-speed connection required to maintain a smooth playing experience. Sure, the Switch might be a heftier piece of equipment to lug along with a phone, however This device gives the player the ability to play their games, physical or downloaded, anywhere at any timeOffer true portability that just isn’t possible with cloud gaming.
The Game Pass library is always temporary.
The issue of internet connection pales in comparison to the biggest issue presented by cloud gaming and subscription services: ownership. The Game Pass library, for example, is always temporary. Titles may be removed from the Service at any time at Microsoft’s discretion. This issue extends beyond subscription services to purchase digital games. Players only pay for the license for digital gamesNever the title itself. Again, this means that the license can be revoked at any time.
The extinction of physical games brings with it a huge conservation crisis. Players can lose access to their favorite titles at any moment, creating uncertainty for the player, and it’s nerve-wracking. A digital-only future puts companies like Microsoft and Sony in control of which titles in their extensive catalog are worth keeping, while the player is left out of the picture. As good as Xbox Cloud gaming would make for a more accessible future for gaming, it cannot provide the same security and permanence that physical games provide.
Source: The verge