More and more people are hoping on board the game streaming bandwagon. We have Microsoft with the xCloud, Google with Project Stream, Sony with PS Now, plus of course, Ubisoft and EA have both publicly discussed plans for streaming initiatives already.
Now, another voice has joined the chorus, as Square Enix’s CEO Yosuke Matsuda said in a New Year statement that he anticipates streaming to become an important part of the gaming landscape going forward—and that Square Enix will adapt to that as it happens.
In particular, he cites streaming driving new platforms for consumption by media, new platform holders, and the transition to digital gaming as the primary ways in which it will influence the gaming market.
“Cloud streaming services for gaming have at last begun to show signs of taking off,” he said. “Streaming is likely to bring a number of new platform operators into the market in addition to the existing console providers, while platform holders are also joining the PC gaming space. These developments produce a growing number of avenues through which game publishers and developers can provide content. In particular, game streaming services will be the ultimate driver of a rapid transition from the sale of games in boxes to digital consumption. Streaming also lends itself to new subscription-based business models, so we believe deciding how to engage with these forthcoming trends will be key to future growth.”
As he points out, the infrastructure for something like streaming to take off is certainly better established now than it ever has been previously, so I do understand the enthusiasm. Nonetheless, I wonder if the fundamental issues with streaming are surmountable to the point that the gaming public will ever accept the delivery mechanism.