Microsoft: cloud game service is still in its infancy

CTOnews.com, October 21 (Xinhua)-- Cloud gaming services have been a hot topic in the gaming industry for the past 15-20 years, because being able to play large-scale 3A games on an ordinary device with a good network connection is very attractive. But Microsoft says the technology is still in its "infancy" and its golden age is far from coming.

This is what Microsoft said in response to the UK Competition and Market Authority (CMA) this week. Earlier this month, CMA launched an in-depth investigation into Microsoft's proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard, including whether Microsoft will monopolize the emerging market of cloud gaming services after the acquisition. Microsoft wrote in its 33-page reply: "this (cloud gaming) is a new and immature technology, and CMA has recognized that it faces huge challenges, especially on mobile devices. Microsoft agrees that cloud gaming services may mean that hardware differences will become less important in the future. However, the reality is that today's cloud games are still in their infancy."

CTOnews.com learned that over the past decade, cloud gaming services have been subject to some major technical constraints, including imperfections in cloud data centers and servers and slow Internet connections on clients. Now many technical limitations have been basically overcome, however, local games still provide the best and most stable visual effects and the lowest input lag, which is especially important for heavy gamers.

"while the cloud gaming market is likely to grow, especially on mobile devices, it is not expected to be very fast because it will require major changes in consumer behavior," Microsoft explained. Gamers are concerned with themes, storylines, graphics performance, speed (such as load time and latency), mechanisms, game choices, and game costs. Therefore, if streaming media services want to develop, they need to compete effectively with downloadable games on these indicators. "

As cloud gaming services are not popular among consumers, Microsoft said its goal is to expand the entire market for cloud gaming services and will not restrict competitors' cloud gaming services.

In short, Microsoft is persuading CMA and other regulators that they should not focus on cloud games right now because it is an immature technology, but the proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard will enable Microsoft to expand the market.