Cloud Gaming Tech Is A “Cool Idea”, Impact On Gameplay Is What Matters

This summer, Microsoft and Reagent Games will be offering our first look at what could be the future of cloud tech-powered games with Crackdown 3‘s multiplayer. Based on the demo we saw at Gamescom 2015, we’re excited but it’s still a little odd to see this technology being consolidated into huge AAA titles like this.

GamingBolt spoke to The Park game director Joel Bylos of Funcom about his opinion on the same and where he thinks it will lead gaming in general. He stated that, “Hmmm, technology is a wonderful thing but it is the impact on gameplay that really matters. I haven’t looked into exactly what Crackdown 3 is doing, but using cloud computing to do physics calculations on the server side and then passing that information back to a client… sure I guess.

“It’s a cool idea that probably doesn’t alter your immediate experience (the moment to moment) of playing the game that much. And seeing it is a multiplayer only feature, my assumption is that the developers would not be hanging their hat on that particular feature either.

“I do think cloud computing can have a huge impact on indirect activities, but since it will always be heavily tied to connection speeds, I’d be wary of using it for any core mechanics. With that said, imagine an RPG like The Witcher with an AI driven Game Master who lives in the cloud and creates adventures for your player (like a world building version of the AI director from Left 4 Dead). This sort of technology makes these sort of possibilities available. I like new technology because it always throws a new tool in the toolbox.”

At the end of the day, it will ultimately come down to the kinds of games that cloud tech can power and whether they’ll be fun. What are your thoughts on it? Let us know in the comments.