Cloud gaming isn’t a new concept but has garnered a lot of attention lately. This is the granddaddy of the internet – Google tossed its hat in the gaming ring with their cloud gaming service Stadia and Microsoft has announced its cloud gaming initiative – Project xCloud. Both services will see some form of release in 2019 and 2020. Sony is the only player with an existing cloud gaming service, PlayStation Now, but the service isn't available everywhere. Nintendo, on the other hand, has stayed mum about its take on cloud gaming.
However, when asked about cloud gaming, Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa said, “While we don’t expect all games to become cloud games any time soon, the technologies are definitely advancing. We see a future where cloud and streaming technologies will develop more and more as a means of delivering games to consumers. We must keep up with such changes in the environment. That being said, if these changes increase the worldwide gaming population, that will just give us more opportunities with our integrated hardware and software development approach to reach people worldwide with the unique entertainment that Nintendo can provide.”
Nintendo is one of the most innovative companies when it comes to gaming. The Nintendo Wii is one of the most successful consoles causing Sony and Microsoft to toss their respective hats in the motion gaming ring. Nintendo is also the only company that has a console that is portable as well as works with your TV – the Nintendo Switch. The unique proposition of the Switch, which lets you dock it and use it with your TV at home and take it out when you need to play on the go makes it the ideal choice for gamers on the go. The console also has a large library of games including exclusives like Mario and Zelda and AAA heavyweights like Doom and Wolfenstein with the Witcher 3 making its debut on the console later this year.
Whether Nintendo joins the cloud gaming bandwagon is yet to be seen. However, looking at Nintendo's innovative past, we think the company will add its own unique spin to the tech. If only the gaming company had an official presence in India.