The Future of Gaming: Are Video Game Streaming Platforms Worth It

Ever since the start of gaming in the early 1990s, many disruptors have been found in the market. These disruptors have been known to change the way we game. They usually come along with some innovative options that can attract the masses. Believe it or not, the first Playstation way back in 1994 was considered a disruptor of the gaming market.

Nowadays, there are many options to game, but there’s nothing like the video game streaming option. Considered to be pivotal to gaming’s future, this technology allows you to game anywhere, as long as you have a connection to the internet. So let us discuss this new gaming option and talk about whether if it’s worth it.

Video Game Streaming

Streaming has become widely popular among gamers, especially content creators. But this isn’t the kind of streaming we’re talking about. Instead, we’re talking about being able to play your games without the need for gaming consoles or a high-end PC, just the internet.

The idea started to become ever more popularized when Google Stadia was released in 2019. This gaming platform offers gamers the chance to game as long as they have a television or monitor and a controller. But after its disastrous release, it became a joke among many gamers. So what are the problems behind video game streaming platforms, and why can’t they compete against the traditional ways of gaming?

Cost

Video game streaming aims to change many things, but it seeks to completely revamp the need for consoles or PCs to game. Although, video game consoles can cost around $500. High-end PCs can cost much more than that. We know that gaming is expensive, but it seems that video game streaming platforms won’t solve that problem anytime soon.

Google Stadia requires you to purchase their controller and a nine-dollar subscription to play. Other streaming platforms such as Vortex need you to have a monthly subscription for at least ten dollars a month. The worse part of it all? Some services can lock you out from playing once you’ve exceeded your playing time.

Vortex, for example, gives you only fifty hours of game time for their basic membership. That’s fifty hours of gaming every month. So it’s not worth it at all.

Video Game Choices

Sure, some platforms are pretty good such as NVIDIA Now and Playstation Now, but only a few games are on their roster. There are thousands of games that exist out there, and you can only play a handful on these platforms. That’s very problematic if you want to play with your friends but don’t have the game on your platform.

The worst part of it is that it takes too long to update the list of games they offer. So you might be waiting for years before you get to play your favorite game.

Quality is Affected By Internet Connection

Lastly, and the main reason why video game streaming is not worth it this year is because the quality of your experience is affected by your internet connection. It also depends on the servers of each platform. If the server isn’t functioning well, you’re going to have problems playing your game, and that’s not your problem.

For a platform that’s looking to revolutionize gaming, there are just too many problems in video game streaming. Sadly, these problems aren’t going to be solved anytime soon. Google Stadia is struggling to get sales, and other platforms such as Vortex are struggling to even get started. Playstation Now and NVIDIA Now are both considered good options, but gamers are fine without them.

By the end of the day, video game streaming is an optional choice. It won’t make a difference whether if you get it or not. You’re certainly not missing out on anything good by not subscribing to one of these platforms.

Conclusion

With all of these things being said, video game streaming isn’t all that worth it. Gaming PCs still seem to be the better option when it comes to gaming. You don’t need a constant internet connection for you to play a game, and it doesn’t go down in quality if your connection is bad. Additionally, you can use PCs for other activities aside from gaming.

Console gaming also looks to be a better option as well. The many consoles that exist today are still likely to divide players today, but at least you don’t have to worry about your internet connection affecting the quality of your games. Furthermore, they can be a cheaper option in the long run.

Unless video game streaming options start stepping up their games, most gamers will be playing on their consoles or PCs. They are more reliable than an internet service that asks you for a monthly subscription but offers mediocre services.