Sunday Question: Cloud Gaming is the Future! Or not?

Cloud gaming services like GeForce Now, Xbox Cloud Gaming, PlayStation Now and Google Stadia as well as Shadow Cloud PC are the future and games will increasingly come directly from the cloud in the future! Or not? The editors have looked at all the offerings and would like to hear your thoughts on the matter.

The future is cloud gaming! Or not?

Xbox cloud gaming up to 1080p and 60 FPS

As part of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Xbox Cloud Gaming currently offers around 100 games at up to 1080p and 60 FPS on Windows PC, next-gen Xbox Series X and S (trial) game consoles, and the legacy Xbox One.

Additionally, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers can also enjoy Xbox cloud gaming on iPhone and iPad on iOS, iPadOS, and Android devices.

This will also make it possible in the future to run next-gen games like The Medium and hardware like Flight Simulator (test), which were released exclusively for Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC, in the last generation. Xbox One family game consoles for streaming.

Xbox Cloud Gaming included in Xbox Game Pass Ultimate costs EUR 12.99 per month and can also be used directly in the browser through Google Chrome, Safari and Microsoft Edge.

Nvidia GeForce Now with up to 1440p and 120 FPS

Nvidia is also trying to promote cloud gaming with its GeForce Now service and offer gamers a cloud-based alternative at a time when graphics cards are selling for record prices.

From a free version that has to do without RTX On, going through the basic rate with 1080p and 60 FPS to 1440p with 120 FPS, Nvidia wants to cover all the needs that gamers have in a gaming PC.

ComputerBase has already thoroughly examined the GeForce Now (test) premium rate, which promises GeForce RTX 3080 performance with up to 1440p and 120 FPS, as well as ray tracing and DLSS, and with the performance of a gaming PC with a GeForce RTX 3080 actual (test) compared.

First, the editors compared GeForce Now to the performance of a real GeForce RTX 3080 in combination with a Core i9-12900K (test), which is the fastest CPU subframe currently in a gaming PC.

Built-in benchmarks from six games were used here, in both FHD and WQHD.

The results seemed sobering at first: the combination of Intel Core i9 and GeForce RTX 3080 outperformed GeForce Now RTX 3080 by up to 70% in WQHD and even more than 100% in FHD.

And while the gaming PC ran at an FPS cap of 120 FPS, it’s still faster. A second test, in which the gaming PC was equipped with an AMD Ryzen 7 3800X, showed the huge influence of the CPU on the test results.

In addition to the free version, GeForce Now is available at prices of around EUR 49.99 per semester on the Priority rate and EUR 99.99 for 6 months on the RTX 3080 rate and both through the browser and through a Windows app, macOS and mobile usable through the Android Application. There are no games included, the user’s own library on Steam, Ubisoft Connect or Origin determines the scope.

Google Stadia (Pro) with up to 4K and 60 FPS

The Google Stadia (Hands-On) cloud gaming service, which offers free games at up to 1080p and 60 FPS, supports up to 4K/UHD at 60 FPS and HDR in the paid Pro version.

Unlike GeForce Now, for example, Stadia requires games to be purchased through the Stadia platform. Integration of games already purchased from stores such as Steam, GOG or Epic is not possible. In return, Google tries to make sure that the latest new releases are available quickly.

Titles like Resident Evil Village (test), FIFA 22 or Far Cry 6 (test) were already playable via Stadia at launch.

Stadia runs in the Chrome browser on Windows and macOS PCs, through the native Stadia app on compatible Android smartphones or tablets, or on Chromecast Ultra-enabled TVs.

The cost of the Pro version is 9.99 euros per month.

PlayStation Now with around 700 games

Since 2014, PlayStation Now (also PS Now) has been offering around 700 games from the PlayStation 2, 3 and 4 era as part of a cloud streaming service. Games that were specially developed for PlayStation 5 (test) are not yet included in Sony’s cloud offer.

The games can be streamed at a maximum of 1080p and 60 FPS on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and Windows PC at prices starting at 5 euros per month. Browsers, smartphones and tablets have so far been left out.

As an alternative to streaming, PS Now also allows games to be installed locally, at least on PS4 and PS5, but this is limited to games from the PS3 era.

Shadow Cloud Gaming PC

Cloud gaming provider Shadow follows a slightly different philosophy, offering gamers a rented PC with 4 cores and 8 threads, 12GB of RAM, and a slightly older GeForce GTX 1080, as well as a 256GB a 2TB with its large cloud gaming platform. SSD available via stream.

Depending on the game and chosen detail level, gamers can play through Shadow at 4K and up to 60 FPS or 1440p and up to 144 FPS. In addition, the rented cloud PC can be used as a locally available PC for any type of application.

The games are integrated into Shadow PC through their own user accounts on Steam, Epic and GOG and can be easily installed just like on a home PC. The same applies to tools and applications.

The rental of the Shadow Cloud Gaming PC is 29.99 euros per month.

What is your opinion on cloud gaming?

Is cloud gaming an alternative or even a replacement?

Do you think cloud gaming will continue to gain momentum in the future and therefore become more important? Will cloud gaming become a real alternative to gaming PCs and game consoles, or can it be completely replaced by the cloud at some point?

Which cloud gaming service has the most potential?

Which cloud gaming service do you think is most likely to prevail and possibly become an alternative or replacement for local gaming on PCs and game consoles?

The editors would be very happy to receive detailed and reasoned reasons for your opinion on the topic of cloud gaming in the comments on the current question on Sunday and we wish you a restful Sunday.

Readers who have not yet participated in the last questions on Sunday can do so. Exciting discussions are still taking place on the ComputerBase forum, especially regarding the latest polls.

Do you have ideas for an interesting Sunday question? Editors are always happy to receive suggestions and submissions.

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