Cloud gaming is revolutionizing how we play, delivering high-quality, immersive experiences right to our devices without the need for powerful hardware. But there has always been one major roadblock—latency.
With 5G networks now becoming the new standard, the dream of near-instantaneous response times is within reach. Imagine a future where lag is no longer a factor, not just for your favorite Michigan casino game, but for all cloud gaming experiences. Is this the end of latency?
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What Exactly Is Latency?
When it comes to latency, one is talking about the time that exists between you inputting data from your device and a game server’s input. Yeah, they are those moments you get stuck – a small split-second delay, and you’re dead in a fast game.
High latency kills the environment built and breaks the flow of gameplay in cases of first-person shooter games, driving simulators, and live streaming of casino games. The advent of 5G looks to alter that by shortening the response time it takes for data to go back and forth between the player and the server.
How 5G Reduces Latency
The current latencies in the 5G networks have been reduced to one millisecond whenever the situation allows. This is relatively better than the initial response time range of 30 to 100 milliseconds of the 4G technology.
The actual low latency 5G provides helps to ensure that actions in the game occur in near real-time, it’s rather more responsive. Whether you are spinning the reels in an online slot or fighting in a death-name 2) battle royale game, 5G improves gameplay.
The Role of Edge Computing
Among the sources of latency reduction provided by 5G is edge computing which is perhaps one of the most important. To put it in the simplest terms, edge computing simply moves servers closer to users in a geographical sense. Through data processing, at the edge of the network closer to the player, the time data takes to travel increases a little.
Meaning for cloud gaming, no data has to travel far which would slow access time meaning game data is processed faster making it even more responsive. Many know it can be a problem with the Internet connection when two people play against each other, and it can turn out to be very frustrating with a lot of delays between actions separated by seconds – now such things are not an issue.
The Impact on Cloud Gaming Platforms
5G is especially instrumental for cloud gaming services such as Google Stadia, Xbox Cloud Gaming, and PlayStation now. These platforms rely on the constant receipt of game data handled by a distant server on your device meaning latency is a big deal.
With the help of 5G which has extremely low latency, these platforms are able to deliver better quality games, less interrupted streaming, and overall better multiplayer. Another area that will greatly benefit from DX12 is that gamers will note sharper and clear-cut videos with more presentations being made in 4k, let alone 8k and that’s without having to invest in costly hardware.
Boosting Mobile Gaming
Another industry that will prove a big winner with 5G’s arrival is the mobile gaming industry. It’s these attributes of high speed and low latency that will make it possible for players to play high graphics games like real-time strategy or even a Michigan casino game on their smartphones. This brings portability to the accessibility of gaming and makes console-like games available anywhere.
Will 5G bring End to Traditional Consoles?
Moves in cloud gaming by 5G make some people believe that traditional consoles and gaming PCs will be dispensable soon. Gone are the days when one needed a powerful console or PC to enjoy challenging games, as the most compute-intensive games will be delivered to devices with close to zero latency.
Although console gaming isn’t likely to become a thing of the past anytime soon and unlike console gaming, cloud gaming is not a full-fledged category in the gaming market yet, the advent of 5G implies that cloud-based gaming is going to be a norm in the future mostly for casual and mobile gamers.
Silicon Valley Prognosticates a Future without Lag
Without a doubt, the same fundamental change is about 5G which is taking cloud gaming to a new high. By solving the problem of latency and providing higher speeds, 5G turns the gaming process into something more seamless than is possible with other generations. Whether it’s 5-minute capture of the flag in your favorite mobile game or traveling through a massive open world, lagless gaming is here more than you may think.
