GamesIndustry’s editor-in-chief interviewed two executives from Microsoft and Samsung. The recently launched Samsung Gaming Hub and cloud gaming in general were discussed.
From June 30 Xbox Game Pass is available on Samsung 2022 Smart TVs. Games can be streamed through the Samsung Gaming Hub thanks to the cloud, which means that the user can do without a console.
in the Conversation with GamesIndustry said Pav Bhardwaj, senior manager of global products at Microsoft. He first pointed out the now huge target group: “We know that there are three billion gamers around the world and we know that today we speak to the vast majority of these customers.”
Bhardwaj then on the benefits of game streaming: “For us, cloud gaming means making our product and service accessible to customers around the world in different markets. There are several reasons people don’t buy specific hardware: affordability, accessibility, maybe they’re former gamers, or they already have devices for other platforms. We really believe it’s about accessibility and choice.”
It is not designed as a replacement
Despite these advantages, the demand for video game consoles continues. Both PS5 and Xbox Series X/S are in high demand among gamers. Aware of this fact, Bhardwaj notes, “Consoles are popular and cloud gaming is just a great alternative.”
This technology should not replace tried and tested consoles. Rather, the console and the cloud service could complement each other: the former offers the best gaming experience due to stability and higher graphics quality, the latter, greater accessibility.
“I love consoles – this is just another way, another option to open up the games to other people. It’s not like one is a disadvantage to the other. It’s more of a rising tide, and it’s a really good place to have all these different opportunities,” explains the senior manager of global products.
Search and discovery options are the advantage
That game streaming will one day be as popular as movies or music doesn’t seem to be the case. Here you rarely consume one product after another, as is the case with Netflix. Instead, the average gamer focuses on just a few games, mostly multiplayer hits like “FIFA” or “Fortnite.” Some titles are also free and available on mobile devices. A subscription is not necessary.
However, Bhardwaj is convinced of the subscription model: “If you calculate that you buy two or three games a year, I think the annual subscription fee represents good value for money. And through a subscription service, the player would know the genres with which you would never otherwise come into contact.
Gus Grimaldi, head of Samsung’s European division, agrees: “It’s all about search and discovery capabilities. Gaming Hub offers the opportunity to see all kinds of games, regardless of what you want to play.”
More cloud gaming news:
In terms of timing, cloud gaming has an advantage over using Game Pass on console or PC. Annoying installation times are eliminated, after just a few minutes you can start the desired game. Because titles are often downloaded and tested, only to be removed a short time later.
More cloud gaming news.
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