As many as 3.5 bln people to play video games in 2024

Cloud gaming is now available, and it will completely change the way we use devices. There will be no need to use high-class hardware requiring high computing power, the platform will lose its importance, and the most important will be constant access to entertainment and the Internet. The coronavirus pandemic has caused a significant increase in the number of people playing computer games. A report by ABI Research and InterDigital indicates that in 2024 half of the global population (approx. 3.5 billion people) will play. However, cloud gaming providers should prefer subscription-based pricing models.

Video game companies are moving them from smartphones, consoles and PCs to the cloud. Today, most titles are still downloaded and played locally on devices, although most require internet access. In the case of cloud gaming, the game is in data centers, which eliminates the need to download files and thus have high-end hardware that is able to play it. So the biggest companies move entertainment to the cloud. Sony has already announced a partnership with Microsoft to leverage this technology.

“The cloud gaming market is growing rapidly. Everyone who wants to benefit from it should act now. Players need to act fast if they want to take advantage of everything this exciting market has to offer,” Laurent Depersin, senior director of the research and innovation laboratory at InterDigital, said.

The ABI Research and InterDigital report, 'Gaming in the Cloud: Enabling the Next Generation of Gaming and Streaming Paradigm', shows that there are currently over 2.3 billion people playing video games. However, cloud gaming operators need to evaluate their business models. Services such as online video streaming offer the option of monthly, quarterly or yearly subscription plans.

(Newseria)