Cloud gaming is a technology that has gained unprecedented popularity over the last few years. It allows demanding games to be run on weak computers, even at maximum settings. The main requirement for using this technology is a high-speed internet connection. Let’s explore how cloud gaming works, its advantages, and how to choose an online gaming platform.
What is Cloud Gaming?
Cloud gaming on PC is not a new technology. In fact, it appeared in the early 2000s and was first presented on mobile phones. At that time, the internet was less advanced, so for more than ten years, the technology remained in a “frozen” state.
From the name itself, cloud gaming involves playing a game that is physically running on a remote computer, but the user sees the image and can control the process. The computer connects to the service responsible for launching the selected game and processing user commands. The information is processed quickly, so there are virtually no delays between key presses and reactions on the screen.
From the user’s side, the process looks as if the game was installed on their computer. In reality, all computational processes are performed by the server. Only the results are displayed on the user’s computer. This allows demanding games to run on weak or severely outdated PCs and laptops.
Cloud gaming services can be considered platforms where users rent a virtual machine equipped with a powerful CPU and GPU, resulting in high performance.
One reason many prefer cloud gaming is the ability to run incompatible games. This is particularly relevant for owners of computers running MacOS, Linux, or DOS, which are practically incapable of running most popular games.
PC Requirements The ability to run on weak computers is a major advantage of cloud gaming. It allows you to play the most demanding games without installing them on your PC. However, this does not mean that the service is available on absolutely all computers.
An important factor is the characteristics of the monitor (or display, if it’s a laptop). Cloud gaming can be seen as a form of streaming. The user receives a video stream from the server. For the image to be high quality, the screen resolution should be Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels).
Most modern monitors operate in 4K format. The server can confidently process images with higher resolution. However, another factor to consider here is internet speed. For cloud gaming, the data exchange rate should not drop below 10 Mbps. On some gaming online platforms, this bar is even higher.
Some streaming services intentionally limit resolution. This ensures decent picture quality without the need for high-speed internet.
While the image quality is worse, it is more than sufficient, especially for playing on a weak PC. There are no strict requirements regarding other hardware components of the PC. Cloud gaming can be used on PCs with low-performance processors and a small amount of RAM – preferably no less than 4 GB.
Choosing a Service In recent years, a large number of online platforms for cloud gaming have emerged. Choosing the right one can be quite difficult, especially for those who have never used such services. Almost all cloud gaming services provide equivalent conditions for gaming activities.
When choosing, it’s necessary to weigh the main advantages and disadvantages. Let’s consider the main criteria for choosing a platform and the top cloud gaming services.
Selection Criteria Cloud gaming services are quite similar, but there are differences. Before getting acquainted with the best gaming platforms, let’s define what to pay attention to when choosing.
The main criteria include:
- Speed requirements. The quality of the internet connection is key. Almost every cloud gaming service in Russia requires at least 10 Mbps, even for launching games with low video resolution. If you want to increase image quality, the connection speed must be higher – at least 25 Mbps.
- Compatibility with libraries. Most cloud services allow users to synchronize with storage on Steam, Epic Game, Uplay, and other gaming platforms. This allows you to launch games on your PC that are not present in the official gaming catalog.
- Server remoteness. Many services provide information about the location of their data centers. This helps to determine how far the server is from the user, which in turn allows for assessing the quality and speed of the service. If you have a fast internet connection, this criterion is not particularly important. Even if the server is at a great distance, fast data exchange compensates for this drawback.
- Gaming client. Some platforms offer to play directly through the browser. Other services allow you to download a client application on your PC and launch games from there. Some platforms offer both options.
- Cost. The service is provided on a paid basis. Therefore, for the vast majority of gamers, cost is the main criterion for choice. There are both cheap and expensive gaming platforms. In this matter, it is important to consider that the price largely determines the quality of the services provided.
If you don’t know how to choose a cloud gaming service, you can use a trial period. Almost all services offer the opportunity to try the game for free to evaluate all the advantages and disadvantages.
Cloud Gaming: Top 6 Best Online Platforms
Objectively determining the best cloud gaming service is quite difficult. Based on user reviews and expert ratings, we have selected the top 6 services that allow you to enjoy the gaming process on an incompatible computer.
GeForce NOW
GeForce NOW One of the leading cloud gaming services in Russia and the CIS. The platform is a proprietary product of NVIDIA. With GFN, almost any device can be turned into a powerful gaming station. The platform is supported not only by computers but also works great on tablets and smartphones.
Main requirements: • Operating system: Windows 7 or newer • Internet connection: from 15 Mbps or faster • Processor: from 2 GHz • RAM: at least 4 GB
In GeForce Now, users have access to over 1000 games, including the latest releases. Account owners can launch games from EGS, Steam, Battle.net, and other stores. The platform is compatible with Windows and MacOS. Games can be launched in the downloaded client or directly in the Chrome browser.
The standard subscription to NVIDIA’s cloud gaming costs 999 rubles per month. Users can also buy a premium account for 1 day for 249 rubles. For those who like to play at night, consider the “Premium Night” tariff. It costs only 399 rubles per month.
One of the main advantages of GFN is the presence of a free tariff. You can play without buying an account. The duration of a gaming session is 30 minutes. However, the number of such sessions is unlimited. You can restart the game every half hour.
PlayStation Now
Another popular platform, an official product of Sony. The service is positioned as a virtual analog of Play Station. Users have access to a large selection of PS games, including the latest releases. The service is available on PCs and mobile devices, as well as on the consoles themselves without installation.
All games are available by paid subscription. Therefore, users do not have to pay extra for access. The only nuance – a compatible gamepad is required for using the platform.
One of the main advantages of PS Now is the ability to download game files for further local launch. This function is not supported in all games. Nevertheless, the library is quite extensive and will surely satisfy the needs of even the most demanding gamers.
Main requirements:
- Operating system: Windows 7 64 bit or newer
- Internet connection: from 5 Mbps
- Processor: from 1.8 GHz
- RAM: at least 3 GB
- Presence of a compatible gamepad.
Officially, PS Now is not supported in the Russian Federation. However, this restriction can be easily circumvented by registering a user account linked to another region. The cost of cloud gaming is affordable – from 8.99 pounds per month (just over 900 rubles). It is quite profitable to purchase an annual subscription. It costs 49.99 pounds, which is about 4.17 per month.
Playkey
One of the leading domestic cloud gaming services. Playkey’s main advantage is its minimal requirements for the PC. Another feature is the pay-per-hour system. Users can buy at least 2 hours of gaming time, after which any game from the extensive library becomes accessible. Monthly or yearly subscriptions are not available.
Playkey is compatible with virtually all gaming platforms. It can be used with Steam, Epic Games Store, Rockstar Launcher. However, there is a significant drawback. The service does not work on smartphones and other mobile devices, only on PCs.
Main requirements:
- Operating system: Windows XP, 7, 8, 10, 11, MacOS 10.8 or newer
- Internet connection: from 10 Mbps
- Processor: from 1.5 GHz
- RAM: from 1 GB
At a speed of 10 Mbps, the service provides HD quality images at 30 frames per second. For Full HD, a minimum of 15 Mbps is required, and for full playback at 120 FPS, at least 25 Mbps is needed.
Vortex
A popular cloud service with a large number of pre-installed games, most of which are available for free. For the rest, a paid subscription is required. The platform is compatible with PCs and Android devices, including Smart TV televisions. In terms of characteristics, the service is similar to My Games Cloud – a cloud gaming service from Mail.ru, launched in 2020.
The built-in library includes over 170 popular gaming products. One of the differences of this service is that it contains almost no unknown games. The library has many new releases, most of which are not available on other cloud platforms.
Main requirements:
- Operating system: Windows 7, MacOS 10.8 or newer
- Internet connection: at least 10 Mbps
- Wi-Fi: 5GHz
- Processor: from 2 GHz
- RAM: from 2 GB
The Vortex cloud service offers users 3 subscription options. The chosen tariff determines the quality of the image in the streamed game. The cheapest subscription includes HD resolution and access to 78 games. The premium tariff includes Full HD resolution at 120 frames per second.
xCloud
A Microsoft product that allows you to run popular Xbox games on weak PCs. Currently, the service is in beta testing. Until recently, gaming was available only on Android devices. Now, it is accessible to Windows PC owners.
The xCloud platform allows you to run any games compatible with Xbox. The library is less extensive than GFN or PS Now but still includes about 400 products of various genres. The service is primarily focused on console projects but also includes multiplatform games.
Main requirements:
- Operating system: Windows 7, 8, 10
- Internet connection: from 5 Mbps
- Processor: from 1 GHz
- RAM: from 1 GB
The main drawback of xCloud is that it is not officially launched in Russia. The platform can be used through a VPN, which negatively affects connection speed. A VPN connection is required only at the launch stage. Once the game is loaded, the secure connection can be disconnected to speed up the internet.
Another minus is the comparatively low quality of the streamed image. At HD resolution, the maximum frame rate is 60 FPS.
To use xCloud, an Xbox Game Pass subscription is required. Its cost varies depending on the selected tariff, starting from 15 dollars.
Drova.io A gaming platform that differs significantly from its counterparts. The main feature of Drova is the absence of its own servers. The project rents equipment from owners of powerful PCs, transferring most of the funds received for the rental. This leads to the main advantage of this service – the ability to choose and connect to any available server, taking into account its physical location and the equipment used.
To launch games, a user account in one of the selected services is used. Users have access to Steam, Origin, Battle.net, Epic Games, Ubisoft, and several other platforms.
Main requirements:
- Operating system: Windows 7 or newer
- Internet connection: from 10 Mbps
- Processor: from 2 GHz
- RAM: from 3 GB
The service offers pay-per-hour gaming. Playing cloud gaming for free is not possible – there is no trial period. However, the rental cost here is absolutely affordable – 25 rubles per hour. A very convenient solution for those who play infrequently and do not want to buy a monthly subscription.
Main Drawbacks If you are looking for the best cloud gaming service of 2022, consider that you will encounter certain drawbacks of this technology. Streaming platforms are not always the best solution to the problem of running games on weak PCs.
The reasons are as follows:
- Delays. If you want to play network shooters, consider that the ping will be quite high. This will surely reflect on the quality of control and effectiveness in games where active movement is necessary. This problem is relevant for any games where micro-control is critical. For example, in Dota 2 or Starcraft, even minimal delay can lead to a loss of advantage and subsequent defeat in combat.
- Internet quality. 10 Mbps is sufficient to launch games, but for full functionality, especially at high graphic resolutions, the actual speed must be significantly higher. Most cloud services recommend refraining from using Wi-Fi during streaming and connecting the PC via cable. This not only speeds up the internet but also prevents disconnection from the server in case the connection with the router is interrupted.
- Data usage. This is a problem for those with limited internet. Cloud gaming uses, on average, 2-3 GB of data per hour. If you play from a smartphone using 4G, be prepared for increased mobile internet costs.
- Paid subscriptions. For full gaming using cloud technologies, a paid account is required. The cost is not too high, especially considering all the advantages. However, it’s important to understand that you need a license to run games. Essentially, you have to first buy the game and then play it using the cloud service. This, in turn, entails additional expenses.
- Queues. The release of new games is associated with an increase in the number of users of streaming platforms. The number of players who can simultaneously launch a game is limited. Therefore, sometimes it is necessary to reserve a place in the queue to play a recently released novelty.
These drawbacks cannot be called critical. For owners of weak PCs, cloud gaming remains the only way to play demanding games without upgrading their computer.
Who is Cloud Gaming Suitable For? Gaming services are an optimal option for owners of low-performance PCs. By ensuring high-speed internet, you can enjoy the gaming process, which will be no different from playing on a gaming computer.
It is not recommended to launch cloud gaming on PCs older than 10 years. Most likely, the “hardware” will not even meet the minimal requirements set by streaming platforms.
Cloud gaming can be a good solution for those who like to spend time in the virtual world but do not want to use up disk space on their PC. To start, you only need a client application, and some services allow you to play directly from the browser.
The cloud service is also suitable for PC owners whose operating system is incompatible with selected games. This is relevant for users of DOS and Linux, for which not many products are released.
Streaming gaming is the optimal solution for those who want to open computer games on a smartphone. Most services allow you to run demanding applications on mobile devices and do without a PC.
Conclusion
Cloud gaming is an alternative way to launch computer games, where the application does not need to be installed on the PC. All computational processes are carried out on a remote server, while the load on the user’s computer is minimized. The user receives a broadcast of the image with the ability to control gaming actions.
Currently, there are many gaming platforms that allow running demanding applications on weak and outdated computers. The services of these platforms are paid, and the cost of the subscription varies depending on the quality of the image. High-speed internet and a compatible operating system are required for cloud gaming. Most games are available only by paid license, but there are also free projects that can be played without buying an account.
