The Allure of Remote Gaming

In the digital era where so many of our day-to-day activities are carried out online, it’s no surprise that remote gaming has experienced massive surges in popularity in recent years.

Playing games online has become one of the world’s most popular entertainment activities, even beating out televisions and movies as the favored way to stay entertained at home in certain countries.

The industry has even opened up lucrative new career paths, supporting a wide range of professions from game developers to professional tournament players and even social media streamers.

2020 has brought with it one of the best years yet for the remote gaming industry, with game sales, downloads, and audiences all rising rapidly over the past 12 months. But what is it about remote gaming that continues to pull in billions of players year after year?

Remote Gaming is Accessible and Universal

Accessibility is a crucial factor in the success of any digital industry. We live in a time where consumers expect engaging experiences at the push of a button or click of a mouse, and gamers are no longer prepared to wait for games to load on their device of choice.

The developments in gaming technology have also meant that remote gaming is now possible on desktop PCs and laptops, tablets, and smartphones. No matter where a player is located, whether at home or on the go, there’s a demand for games to be instantly accessible – something that game developers have met with gusto.

With the rise in popularity of content streaming services like Netflix and Hulu, the gaming industry has widened its appeal with the Games as a Service (GAAS) model. Originally pioneered at the turn of the century by platforms like Steam and GOG.com, GAAS is now available on the cloud through the likes of Google and Amazon, making gaming on demand a reality for gamers of all demographics across the world.

Unlimited choice and improved gaming experiences

Another key factor behind the enduring popularity of remote gaming is the sheer breadth of choice that’s available. Remote gaming genres are diverse and range from mainstream verticals like battle royale and RPG to more niche gaming interests.

By harnessing the power of the web, game developers and publishers are no longer limited to the confines of a games console, allowing them to unleash their imaginations and develop and release titles that appeal to modern gamers, irrespective of their demographic or location.

Today’s players are spoilt for choice when it comes to the type of games they can choose to play, but the gaming experiences within each of these genres are far from stagnant. Gaming verticals undergo constant development, even flagship titles like Fortnite or Cyberpunk 2077 are periodically tweaked to ensure that they remain immersive and continue to appeal to their target audience.

By developing with gamer’s needs and requirements, various genres and franchises can cultivate a loyal audience base. Take a look at the iGaming vertical, for example. While the opportunity to win real money online undoubtedly plays a huge role in the popularity of iGaming, many consumers continue to play because of the constantly improving gaming experiences, whether that’s in the form of immersive gaming via Virtual Reality, or enhanced practical features such as the integration of blockchain technology.

Remote gaming is affordable

Gaming experiences and choice aside, another key to the enduring success of remote gaming is its affordability. Yes, gaming PCs and laptops can be a costly investment, but much of today’s remote gaming takes place on the ubiquitous smartphone. In some regions, mobile gaming is the most popular way to play games due to the sheer affordability of both smartphone handsets and the games themselves.

In the app market, the vast majority of games on offer are either free to play or follow a freemium model, so players can make micro-transactions in the game. Gone are the days when a keen gamer needs to pay out $50+ to get their hands on a top game. Nowadays top titles like Call of Duty and PUBG are completely free to download and play.

This article does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors or management of EconoTimes