Game streaming: Explained

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Gamers have known for some time that the future of their favorite past-time is streaming. After all, pay-per-view is not exclusively for movies and TV programmes. Logically, it is only a matter of time before pay-to-play streaming becomes the norm. PTP (pay-to-play) might be the logical move for Amazon Prime and eventually Netflix, but what does it mean for gamers? The answer has to be more choice. Here's how it works…

Image via Getty

The top-line explanation is this: Game streaming, more often referred to as cloud gaming, is a type of online gaming that runs video games on remote servers and streams the game’s video and sound directly to the gaming device. A bit convoluted, isn’t it? Let’s go a bit more in-depth.

Amazon Joins the Race

The up-and-coming Prime Gaming streaming service is included with your Amazon Prime and Prime Video subscription. As an incentive, Prime Gaming offers subscribers free games plus a monthly Twitch channel subscription that won't cost consumers any extra. We all love a freebie; so far so good. The setup is much like Apple Music or Spotify; if you continue to pay your subscription, your games remain available; if you cancel, your gaming history is immediately cancelled - you lose!

While you can download some free games monthly, you can't game without a subscription, so Prime Gaming isn't really free, not really, but if you're paying for the service anyway, you're good to game. 

The rising popularity of gaming and esports means Amazon Prime can increase its revenue by offering a comprehensive, all-inclusive streaming service. With more users comes the need for an updated and infallible infrastructure, making game streaming a costly venture and the need to succeed paramount.

What the Tech!?

Gaming comes with specific streaming needs; unlike movies or previously made content, video games render while the play is happening, making the required infrastructure entirely different from TV. Game streaming technology is miles apart from pre-made content, so factors like bitrate must be considered. Bitrate refers to how many bits will be processed within a specific time frame.

Frame rate and game mechanics are another vital consideration. Game streaming is only possible because AI plays a significant role in developing infrastructure by creating encoder configurations for gaming content. Eventually, game streaming will keep up with the game engine, leading to a better user experience.

Because gaming streaming for a wide audience is relatively new, you can understand a cautious rollout and why Amazon is using free games as a learning tool. The games are free, so gamers and AI can iron out any glitches before a hard global rollout happens.

Amazon Prime will be delighted to beat Netflix to the start line, let alone the finish line. Netflix rolled out a limited beta test to a tiny number of members in Canada and the UK in late 2023, and has since announced a further 86 games available with Netflix membership. With nearly 90 more games in development, Netflix is now taking the challenge seriously.

The Bigger Picture

Game streaming is undoubtedly a game changer, but for who? The most significant impact of streaming technology is the accessibility aspect, providing gameplay to a larger, more profitable audience. Previously, gamers played on powerful gaming PCs or consoles; new technology means streaming to your TV or regular PC is possible. The technology needed for mobile game streaming is still being updated. Prime gaming offers some mobile options, but the focus for now is on streaming via PC, Xbox, and PlayStation.

For now, let's concentrate on the free games available on Prime Gaming while we wait for Netflix to catch up. This month, Amazon Prime subscribers can indulge in a batch of free video games that can be downloaded and kept; Battlefield 2042 is a notable title, along with League of Legends. Other downloadable content includes Pokémon Go, Call of Duty: Warzone, Raceway 2080, EA Sports FC 24, and Cyberpunk 2077.

Image via Riot Games

If you're already paying for Amazon Prime, then the Prime Gaming benefits are a no-brainer; you can't argue with the value if you're a member. Along with free, fast shipping on all the merch you don't really need, Primers are eligible for a 5% cash back on Amazon purchases with the Prime Visa Card. Streaming doesn't stop at gaming; you're likely taking advantage of the movies and music-related platforms, all for a monthly fee of AU$9.99 or AU$79 annually.

There's little doubt that game streaming is here to stay, which has to be a good thing. Gone are the days when COD or GTA cost megabucks and several hours to download via your PS4, which means door slamming will be kept to a minimum as electricity bills won't spike on release days.

In Conclusion

To answer the question - Is Game Streaming the Future? The answer is yes and also no. Yes, the mainstream will get their game on via game streaming; it's convenient, and if you already subscribe, why wouldn't you take advantage of this free add-on service? However, hardcore gamers who want the best, most high-fidelity experience won't switch to streaming until the glitches have been fixed, the lag sorted, and the mainstream is no longer main but indie.

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