Induced by the global pandemic, Cloud Gaming took the world by storm, and has not looked back since. According to data and analytics company GlobalData, this growth trajectory of cloud gaming is showing no signs of slowing down in 2022 as well.
As per the recent report issued by the company titled, “Tech, Media and Telecom (TMT) Predictions 2022 – Thematic Research”, the company has forecast that cloud gaming could achieve the US $3 Billion milestone during the year 2022.
This figure translates into a Year on Year (YoY) growth rate of 59%, when compared to the year 2021. The report also highlights some important trends within the cloud gaming industry, which are discussed below.
During 2022, the ability of cloud gaming services to offer exclusive and trending game titles will play an important role in the proliferation of cloud gaming. Based on this need, it appears that most large cloud gaming providers will also assume the role of publishers.
This will also make independent game publishers, creating high quality gaming content, attractive targets for acquisition by top cloud gaming brands globally. Such acquisitions will enable cloud gaming providers to add exclusive titles to their portfolios.
As per the company’s forecast, tech giant Apple might remain a laggard in cloud gaming, mainly owing to its strict policies and other application approval processes. This could favor the already established cloud gaming providers like Nvidia, Microsoft and Amazon.
These cloud gaming providers will instead leverage the web to target the large target market of iOS users, albeit at relatively lower pricing models. This issue could impact Apple’s ability to establish itself as a major player in the Cloud Gaming market.
With the full roll out of Google’s cloud gaming platform Stadia, the company expects many new entrants within the space. Well established platforms like Stadia will encourage many startups to set foot in the industry with their own unique cloud based game offerings.
Intel’s recent acquisition of RemoteMyApp will put the tech company in the right spot to compete with the likes of Google and Nvidia. The acquired streaming technology provider will enable Intel to pitch its cloud gaming solutions to other businesses as well.
Towards the end, the GlobalData report anticipates smartphones to become the most popular and widely used platform for cloud gaming. Due to their vast user base, Android based smartphones equipped with top specs will dominate the cloud gaming space.
Let us wait and observe how events unfold in the now extremely hot domain of Cloud Gaming.
