Video games are becoming more complex, both in terms mechanics and graphics. They require better computer specifications to be played correctly. It’s unlikely that you’ll be playing 2021 games on an old computer or unless it’s upgraded. Cloud gaming is a technology that allows you to play video games on any device as long as there is a stable internet connection.
A cloud gaming server manages the processing of a video game, instead of your device’s hardware and sends you compressed video frames in response to input. The cloud-based server receives your input when you press a key. It then sends a fresh frame to you in response. It’s an easy concept but the bandwidth required to transmit these videos in real-time is high. This has traditionally slowed cloud gaming, however recent advances in cellular networks and edge computing have allowed cloud gaming to grow.
To achieve this, applications like Stadia and NVIDIA’s GeForce Now are able to stream games with near-native quality on devices with different power. They’re also designed so that you avoid the huge downloads and setup process of installing a game on your own hardware, which is especially important for those with different network conditions. Cloud gaming isn’t an option. There are a lot of obstacles to overcome, for example issues with bandwidth and latency.