Xbox's Cloud Gaming Service Is A Bad Sign For Physical Games
The potential rise of Xbox Cloud Gaming could be bad news for the future of physical games. It's no secret how the popularity of digital gaming has surged exponentially, thanks to the introduction of subscription services and cloud streaming. And, if recent reports are to be believed, this is only going to get bigger.
It's hard to deny the temptation present in choosing the path of digital gaming. The ability to access hundreds of games at the tap of a button allows players to try out a multitude of titles they may not have gone for if they were required to buy them outright. Yet, this major push from the industry for digital and subscription-based gaming hides a much darker truth, as questions arise about the future of physical games and the consequences this has on the player and the ownership of their own library.
The concept of Xbox Cloud Gaming is fairly simple: the ability to access the Xbox game library from anywhere at any time. However, unlike the Nintendo Switch, where the player requires access to the console at all times, Cloud Gaming aims to make the Xbox library readily available on any compatible device with a stable internet connection, whether that be a laptop or mobile phone. Furthermore, this is extended to how the player chooses to play, either using an Xbox controller, Sony's DualShock 4, or by using the touch screen with compatible games.
Cloud Gaming is built on the idea of convenience, making Xbox games readily available by adapting to what the player has access to at any given time. In its current beta stage, this only includes games available on Xbox Game Pass, like or. However, recent reports suggest Microsoft could be looking at a mass expansion to include a player's own digital library. According to a report by , this rollout is set to begin with Xbox insiders in November before becoming available to all Xbox players.
Microsoft has consistently been at the forefront of digital gaming with Xbox Game Pass, a service allowing players to
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