STREAM IT YOURSELF
Much like PlayStation’s Remote Play, there are other ways to stream games yourself,
without the aid of a hulking data center. Kids hogging the TV? Xbox One enables you to
stream games to any Window 10 PC connected on the same network, using the computer’s
monitor as a second screen, and connecting a standard Xbox controller. Because the game
is effectively played in situ on the console, players can return directly to the big screen
once the living room has been vacated.
Steam users have this option, too, albeit in reverse; in November 2015, Valve launched
Steam Link, which enabled anyone to stream their Steam library from their gaming PC
to their smart TV or mobile device, over a local connection. Initially, Valve sold a piece of
hardware that supported Steam Link—a black box reminiscent of the OnLive console—
but it was discontinued following the rise of smart TVs, which could support Link via an
app. For the smart-TV-less, it’s still possible to pick up a Link unit on Amazon, or use a
Raspberry Pi to replace it—Valve’s software is eminently
compatible with the single-board computer. Just
don’t bother getting a Steam controller for it.
Another option for home streaming is Apple’s
AirPlay. Apple TV supports second-screen
functionality for other Apple hardware, enabling
a spot of couch gaming. Apple’s tech isn’t exactly
ideal for gaming, to be fair, but it’s good for a few
games of Fortnite on the big screen without needing
to splash out for a console or gaming PC (if you’re a Mac
fiend). Google Chromecast also enables your TV to display a
live stream from your PC, but in practice this tends to be poor
for gaming— sorry Google fans, you’ll need to wait for Stadia.Steam Link
is great—just
avoid the Steam
controller.been trending steadily downward,
while modern free-to-play games
such as Fortnite operate a season
pass system rather than premium
membership subscriptions. It’s
easy to argue that fully subscription-
driven games will never overtake
the simple pleasure of buying a
game once and owning it forever.
That said, many were skeptical of
Netflix when it emerged, and now
DVD retailers are being crippled by
the video-streaming giant.
So, is streaming-based gaming
the way of the future? We don’t
really think so, but we’re ready to
be proven wrong. It feels as though
we’re stuck in a loop; this streaming
technology keeps coming around,
and each time the industry arrives
at the same conclusion: It’s a nice
idea, but typical Internet connection
quality isn’t enough to support
it. Stadia is flashy, and Google
undeniably has the power to throw
staggering amounts of money at it,
but if it won’t run on your average
household broadband, there’s no
way it can take off. But hey—it’s
early days. Stadia is set to launch
at the end of 2019, and a lot could
change in that time.