Sony: “Cloud gaming is inevitable”

Console giant looking at cloud for Playstation

Chris KempJune 16, 2012

Cloud gaming is an interesting concept – it’s sound in theory but hasn’t quite taken off yet. While services such as OnLive are out there doing their thing, most gamers prefer to use digital distribution services such as Steam or simply get things on physical discs; a trend expected to continue with next-gen consoles.

Sony however have said that cloud gaming is an inevitable end, as the upside on it is just too high to ignore.

Scott Rohde, Sony Worldwide Studios vice president, said in an interview with GamesIndustry International that it’s “absolutely inevitable that [cloud gaming is] going to be a part of what everyone does.”

He explained, “It just makes sense. And so, over the next five years, you’re going to see everything evolve to that state because people want access to their data anywhere.”

Rohde wasn’t prepared to discuss Sony’s own plans regarding cloud gaming. “Will there be a streaming service? Will there be a partnership? I’m not going to answer those questions right now. But, like I’ve said ten times, like a broken record, the industry is always evolving.”

However in an interview with MCV, Worldwide Studios head Shuhei Yoshida said, “We’re looking at what OnLive is doing, and the tech around that, and considering how this can be a part of PlayStation.”

Yoshida mentions the main obstacle for a standardised cloud service right now, something which certainly hits close to home – poor internet service.

“When there are faster internet connections, gaming in the cloud as a subscription service could become a reality.” Don’t hold your breath, South Africa.