Quality of cloud-based gaming predicted to improve

An increasing number of people could be playing games on mobile devices through the use of cloud computing.

This is according to Andy Thomason, senior lecturer in computer games and entertainment at Goldsmiths University of London, who states that as network infrastructure becomes ever more consistent and reliable, the quality of cloud-based gaming will improve.

"To the user, cloud gaming offers an immediate experience, without installation," Mr Thomason notes, adding that products such as smartphones, tablet PCs and handheld consoles like the PlayStation Vita will be able to play a range of games, regardless of whether computation is done on the server or locally.

He points out that as long as the programming languages are written correctly, "there is very little difference between the platforms as far as games are concerned and portability can be easy".

Last month, Gaz Deaves, Guinness World Records gaming editor, claimed that the growing popularity of streaming titles digitally could be "the endgame for the move away from physical, boxed product games".