Cloud Gaming: A Netflix-Style Boom on the Horizon
Cloud gaming has been a growing trend worldwide, although its path to success has not been without challenges. According to research group Omdia, the sector is expected to generate $3.2 billion in revenue by 2023, accounting for just 2% of the total gaming industry revenue. Despite this, Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot predicts a massive boom in the cloud gaming market similar to Netflix’s growth in streaming.
Ubisoft’s Belief in Cloud Gaming
In an interview with The Financial Times, Yves Guillemot expressed his strong belief in the future of cloud gaming. He compared it to Netflix’s initial move into streaming, which faced criticism and a drop in stock prices. However, Netflix ultimately became a major player in the industry. Guillemot states, “It’s going to be the same with video games but it will take time. But when it takes off, it will happen very quickly.”
When Netflix first said it was going to go into streaming, their shares fell a lot and they were widely criticised.Today we see what they have become. It’s going to be the same with video games but it will take time. But when it takes off, it will happen very quickly.”
Yves Guillemot
Cloud Gaming: A Lucrative Market
Ubisoft’s optimism about the potential of cloud gaming is well-founded. Earlier this year, the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) raised concerns about Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard, suggesting that it could lead to a monopoly in cloud gaming. In order to finalize the deal, Microsoft sold its cloud gaming rights for Activision Blizzard’s titles to Ubisoft. This move, along with the upcoming launch of the iPhone 15, indicates that cloud gaming is poised for rapid expansion.
Furthermore, major gaming companies are increasingly focusing on mobile platforms and bringing console and PC titles to mobile devices. With Ubisoft securing the cloud gaming rights to Activision’s portfolio, it could prove to be a highly successful move for the French game maker.
Global Adoption: A Promising Future
Yves Guillemot suggests that countries that rapidly adopt new technologies and skip traditional methods are likely to embrace cloud gaming more quickly. He cites the example of mobile payments in Africa to support this notion. While the future remains uncertain, regulators and gaming companies worldwide appear convinced that cloud gaming is on the cusp of significant growth. Given that mobile is the most accessible gaming platform, it is expected to play a central role in this booming industry.
Recent statistics show that 33% of committed gamers and 10% of casual gamers have already used a cloud gaming service, highlighting the increasing popularity of this technology.
For more gaming news and updates, visit our website.