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Topic: What does it mean by a “cloud” version of a game?

Posts 1 to 13 of 13

SmashBall35

For the release of Kingdom of Hearts on Switch, it says it will be a cloud version of the games, and I’ve noticed that a lot of people aren’t happy about it. What does it mean by cloud? Is it that you can only buy it digitally or it won’t run as smoothly as the original?

“I paused my game to be here” -SmashBall35

If you are responding to me in forums or a comment I would much appreciate it if you quoted or tagged me in your responses so I can see it and respond. Otherwise I usually can’t tell that you’ve replied. Thanks!

Snatcher

@SmashBall35 Well yes, and no, One you need a good connection to make the thing even work right, so there's that, but you wont actually own the game, your just kinda paying for the right to play it, but you don't own it. and thats why me an many others, HATE IT!

Nintendo are like woman, You love them for whats on the inside, not the outside…you know what I mean! Luzlane best girl!

(My friend code is SW-7322-1645-6323, please ask me before you use it)

Sorry for not being active much recently, but I’m very much alive!

SmashBall35

@Snatcher

Ohhh. Ok. That makes sense. Thanks! I can understand why people don’t like that now.

“I paused my game to be here” -SmashBall35

If you are responding to me in forums or a comment I would much appreciate it if you quoted or tagged me in your responses so I can see it and respond. Otherwise I usually can’t tell that you’ve replied. Thanks!

Snatcher

@SmashBall35 No prob, have a nice day.

Nintendo are like woman, You love them for whats on the inside, not the outside…you know what I mean! Luzlane best girl!

(My friend code is SW-7322-1645-6323, please ask me before you use it)

Sorry for not being active much recently, but I’m very much alive!

Octane

@SmashBall35 A cloud version means your Switch doesn't run the game. The game is being played on a computer at some data center and gets streamed to your Switch. So there's more input lag, although it isn't always very noticeable. But that's only logical, because whenever you press a button, that signal is sent to who knows where that data center is located, and then the visual feedback has to be sent back to your screen. It's quite impressive if you think about it, but I personally don't see the point.

In theory it also means that you can get a much higher resolution than the Switch could ever achieve. Since the game isn't dependent on the Switch' hardware, but on the specs of the computer that's running the game.

The downside is that you don't own anything. There's no physical or digital copy. You buy a ''license'' that allows you to stream the game to your Switch. It's usually full price for a limited amount of time. Either weeks, months or a year. That depends on the publisher. They can also pull the game off the service whenever you want. So you're not even guaranteed you'll be able to play it in five years from now. It's no different to series and films on Netflix.

Octane

PoliticallyIncorrect

@SmashBall35 It's like a streaming service. The game is never on your system, it's located on a server. You never own it. If you play handheld on-the-go, it's useless. As you will never have an internet connection strong enough to make it work without tons of lag. Like Netflix.

The Other White Meat

Anti-Matter

@SmashBall35
Cloud gaming is streaming based gaming, a total nightmare for gamers especially game collectors since you will never owning the games. You just only pay for streaming service like browsing Youtube.
Don't even support cloud gaming for the sake of future of video games.

Edited on by Anti-Matter

Anti-Matter

Gryffin

@Anti-Matter @SmashBall35 every service is different. GeForce Now, for example, streams games you already own on Steam and Epic. It's more like a PC rental in that way. Shadow, meanwhile, is literally a PC rental. Luna is a subscription service. Game Pass Ultimate offers cloud streaming for most of its games. PS Now is also a subscription service, but you can download many of the games too, if you'd prefer to not stream them. Stadia is the situation you're most concerned about. But even Stadia has a subscription option. Right now, for example, they have 30 games you can "claim" when you subscribed to Pro; this works exactly the same way as "free" monthly games on PS Plus and Xbox Gold.

Oh, I forgot about Blacknut. They're another subscription service that's really underrated. Finally, there's Antstream. They're currently free but will be ad supported soon.

Edited on by Gryffin

Gryffin

Anti-Matter

@Gryffin
I will never like streaming games whatsoever reasons.
I purchased video games to be owned forever, not by renting.
I am dinosaur in video games, prefer old fashioned way to play video games.

Anti-Matter

SmashBall35

@Octane

Ok. That makes a lot of sense. Thanks for your help! It is pretty impressive though that cloud games can actually happen… but it’s annoying too.

“I paused my game to be here” -SmashBall35

If you are responding to me in forums or a comment I would much appreciate it if you quoted or tagged me in your responses so I can see it and respond. Otherwise I usually can’t tell that you’ve replied. Thanks!

Tasuki

While I am not big on streaming services/cloud gaming for gaming and I feel the technology is just not quite there yet, I can understand the appeal of it to some folks.

1) You don't need to store physical game. While some people are collectors which is fine, some people are not and maybe don't have the space needed for a physical collection, they just want to play them game and enjoy it without having to worry about the space.

2) No need to upgrade/ buy new systems as often. Again some people don't have the room to have consoles or maybe they don't have the money to buy the latest console with stream services they can still play the latest games on a device like a smartphone or laptop that couldn't natively run a game like that.

3) More convenient for travel. They may travel alot and don't want to lug around a bunch of things to play the games they want.

4) Try before they buy. Years ago I had OnLive service and I tried several games on that before buying the game itself. I don't want to be out $60+ dollars on a game I don't like.

So yeah there's nothing wrong with cloud services it's just another way to play and enjoy games.

RetiredPush Square Moderator and all around retro gamer.

My Backlog

Nintendo Network ID: Tasuki311

Dyna-Z

It means Cloud from Final Fantasy 7 is playable!!

I'm kidding, of course. A cloud version of a game means that the Game is not running on your platform's hardware, rather, it's being streamed to you via the internet from some data base. Because of this, input lag is increased significantly, because when you press a button, your controller send the input to your system, which then sends to the place the game is being streamed from, which then needs to be displayed on your screen, and all that happens by simply pressing the jump button.

But it all gets worse depending on your internet speed. If you have Great internet speed, the game should run smoothly, but you'll still have input delay. If you have bad internet speed, i'm sure your internet service provider gave you a list of "Don't even think about it"s. Input lag will be increased by a LOT, the display will get super funky (in the NEGATIVE way), and audio cuts will happen a LOT.

Cloud versions are terrible, and I don't know why companies still make them.

Edited on by Dyna-Z

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