Jeff Gattis, the head of gaming at Amazon, shared with the BBC his insights on how rising technology costs are likely to drive gamers towards online game streaming instead of investing in new consoles.
Gattis acknowledged that while gaming technology has seen significant advancements recently, making it more accessible than ever, some consumers still prefer to invest in their own hardware.
Despite being hailed as the future of gaming, cloud gaming has faced challenges with widespread adoption, as evidenced by the high-profile shutdown of Google Stadia in 2023.
Leading companies like Sony and Microsoft are already integrating cloud gaming into their subscription services, yet many gamers still opt for traditional installations on their devices.
Gattis’ remarks coincided with Amazon’s announcement of integrating its cloud gaming platform, Luna, into the Prime Video app, merging gaming with on-demand shows and movies.
Cloud gaming enables players to stream games from remote servers directly to their phones, tablets, or controllers, eliminating the need to download and install games on local systems.
According to Gattis, a vast and largely untapped audience exists beyond the typical console gamers that Amazon aims to engage.
“There are between 2.5 billion and 3 billion gamers worldwide, yet only a small percentage owns dedicated gaming hardware,” Gattis noted.
He proposed that streaming games could appeal to those unwilling to spend hundreds or even thousands of pounds on a gaming console or PC.
“As hardware costs continue to rise and streaming technology advances, it’s natural for consumers to question the necessity of dedicated devices,” Gattis explained.
The increasing prices of gaming hardware are evident, with companies like Sony and Microsoft raising console prices, and Valve’s new Steam Machine starting at £879.
Source: www.bbc.co.uk