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.
What Is Xbox's Cloud Gaming Service?
The Ability To Play Anywhere, On Anything
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 , like Fortnite or Starfield. 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 The Verge, 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 , a service allowing players to access hundreds of titles for a monthly fee. Combining the ease of playing multiple popular titles with the flexible gaming experience provided by Cloud Gaming creates a strong case for Microsoft to convince players to choose digital games over physical. Removing a huge barrier of entry that comes with buying a new console increases the Xbox's outreach to players, potentially becoming more popular than ever.
It's Not Just Xbox - PS5 Is Moving To Digital Too
Physical Games Are Becoming An Inconvenience
Microsoft's multiple online services have created a huge push for digital games over physical, simply by framing digital gaming as a far more convenient and accessible way to play. While Sony are choosing to follow in Microsoft's footsteps, the PlayStation owners have taken it one step further. Unlike Microsoft's sole focus on digital gaming's benefits, Sony is attempting to make the act of playing physical games an inconvenience for the player.
The fate of physical games will only get worse.
The reveal of the PlayStation 5 Pro a few weeks ago came with the caveat that the base console was digital only. Instead, the disc drive is being sold as an accessory for an extra $79.99, building on the PS5 Pro's already steep price of $699.99. This change to the upgraded model makes the decision to go digital-only far easier for the consumer. Why spend an extra $80 for a disc drive and $60/$70 on each game when a player can just create a PlayStation Network and go from there?
It once again makes a subscription service far more enticing, with PlayStation Plus giving instant access to a huge library at the player's fingertips. Sony's attitude towards physical games feels less like neglect and instead feels more like hostility, as the company intentionally pushes physical games further into the shadows. If Sony builds on its existing cloud streaming in the same way that Microsoft has, making PlayStation games widely accessible on multiple devices, then the fate of physical games will only get worse.
Digital-Only Games & Subscription Services Are The New Normal
Digital Games Are More Popular Than Ever
Microsoft and Sony's push for digital gaming is certainly paying off. Earlier this year, Xbox Game sured 34 million active subscribers, while PS Plus's last subscription report in May 2023 reported a total of 47.4 million subscribers across all tiers. Seeing this success, it's no wonder that other companies have followed suit. EA Play, Ubisoft+, Apple Arcade, and more all offer a range of popular titles at the player's fingertips, proving just how commonplace subscription services have become. If Cloud Gaming proves successful, it'd be no surprise to see other companies adopt a similar service in the future.
The future of physical games is more uncertain than ever before. As subscription services and cloud streaming both continue to grow, the industry seems to be giving players one undeniable message: digital is the future. However, hidden in the depths of this campaign are a multitude of consequences this seismic shift will cause, consequences that will have major effects on the player and the legacy of video games as a whole.
Why Cloud Gaming Is Bad For The Future Of Games
True Ownership Will Soon Disappear
Xbox's Cloud Gaming service may be convenient, but its accessibility to players only goes so far. To take full advantage of Xbox Cloud Gaming, the player requires internet connection at all times. That's not mentioning the stable high-speed connection required to maintain a smooth playing experience. Sure, the Switch may be a heftier piece of equipment to haul along compared to a phone, but the device grants the player the ability to play their games, physical or ed, anywhere at any time, offering true portability that's just not possible with Cloud Gaming.
Game 's library is only ever temporary.
The issue of internet connection pales in comparison to the largest issue presented by Cloud Gaming and subscription services: ownership. Game 's library, for example, is only ever temporary. Titles can be removed from the service at any time at Microsoft's own discretion. This issue extends beyond subscription services to purchasing digital games. Players are only paying for the license for digital games, never the title itself. Again, this means that said license can be revoked at any time.
The erasure of physical games brings with it a huge crisis for preservation. Players can lose access to their favorite titles at any moment, creating uncertainty for the player, and that's nerve-wracking. A digital-only future puts companies like Microsoft and Sony in control of what titles in their extensive catalog are worth keeping, while the player is left out of the picture. As good as Xbox Cloud Gaming would be for a more accessible future for gaming, it cannot provide the same security and permanence that physical games provide.
Source: The Verge
