Cloud Gaming: How to play anywhere, even with a disability

Cloud gaming is revolutionizing the world of video games, making them accessible to people with disabilities. In this article, we explore how this technology is breaking down hardware barriers, offering new opportunities for inclusive gaming. We'll look at the benefits, current challenges, and future prospects for truly universal gaming.

From Desktop PCs to the cloud: the evolution of gaming

Do you remember how we used to play until a few years ago? Before the advent of consoles? High-end PCs were needed; if you wanted the ultimate gaming experience, you had to spend money. You had to build a desktop computer, the classic tower-shaped desktop, packed with DVD burners and drives. Then came consoles, which brought gaming directly into the living room. Before, it was the preserve of nerds , the so-called geeks, people willing to spend millions on the latest technological advances: high-end graphics cards, sound cards, processors with ever-faster clock speeds, huge amounts of RAM, hard drives, etc.

Consoles have further expanded the market, reaching a segment of gamers unwilling to purchase PCs requiring modification, setup, or constant driver updates; a segment of individuals with little time to dedicate to gaming, other than a few hours of leisure time a week, and little money in their wallets. The democratization of gaming has therefore forced the industry to bring ready-made, pre-packaged solutions into homes, offering immediate access to the game.

In this ongoing process of democratization, Cloud Gaming has finally emerged in recent years. While it is still in its infancy, it is already attracting the attention of major companies.

For people with disabilities, this evolution represents a revolution: gaming no longer requires investments in specific hardware or complex physical modifications.

What is Cloud Gaming and How Does It Work?

Until a decade ago, it was thought that it was not possible to further reduce the costs of the hardware needed for gaming.

However, this technology allows you to play complex and graphically advanced titles without the need for powerful hardware on the local device, delegating the processing to remote servers.

The philosophy behind video streaming services is the same: without owning the physical media that contains it, we can still watch our favorite TV series, which arrives in our homes directly through the internet on any screen that is connected and set up to display that type of content.

So with cloud gaming, the game, regardless of its complexity, can be played on any screen, be it a phone, PC, TV, tablet, monitor, etc.

A revolution!

This revolution hasn't gone unnoticed by major companies, who have set up platforms and infrastructure to handle the load required to support millions of potential gamers. Microsoft has opened the door with Xbox Cloud Gaming , a pioneer alongside Nvidia with GeForce Now , and Amazon with Luna .

The user no longer downloads or installs anything: the game is processed on cloud servers and the video stream is sent in real time, while the commands travel in reverse.

But beyond democratizing access to games for those who can't afford high-end consoles or PCs, cloud gaming represents a game-changer for people with disabilities.

By eliminating traditional hardware barriers, it opens the door to an inclusive future, where video games become accessible to everyone, regardless of physical or cognitive limitations.

In this article, we explore how cloud gaming is reshaping the gaming landscape.

HIGHLIGHT BOX

Pro tip: Try GeForce Now or Xbox Cloud Gaming on tablets with voice assistants for an accessible experience.

Glossary:

• Accessibility: the ability to be used by everyone, regardless of ability.

• Adaptive Controller: Customizable device for motor needs.

• Assistive technology: Digital or physical tools that support interaction.

How Cloud Gaming Removes Barriers

According to the World Report on Disability compiled by the World Health Organization and the World Bank , it is estimated that 15% of the world's population, over 1 billion people, have some form of disability and at least a fifth of these individuals face significant difficulties in carrying out daily activities.

If we add to these numbers what Bain & Company's 2024 Global Video Game Market Report says, according to which it is estimated that by 2024 the number of gamers will have risen to 3.42 billion individuals , even though there are no official numbers on how many gamers have some form of disability, it is easy to get an idea of the extent of the phenomenon.

Among these gamers with disabilities, whose unknown numbers do not appear in official statistics, many are forced to abandon the game due to obstacles caused by difficulties arising from their condition, be it physical or mental.

Cloud gaming addresses these barriers by moving the hardware burden to the cloud , enabling software customization and the use of devices we use every day, such as smartphones with voice assistant software, tablets with simplified touch screens, or computers with alternative pointing technologies.

Enabling gaming through Universal Access on everyday devices, adapted to the specific needs of gaming, significantly reduces barriers.

AAA games can now be played on any device, so those with limited mobility no longer need to carry heavy PCs or consoles (portable or otherwise).

The classic image of the gamer snuggled up on the couch, for those living with severe disabilities, gives way to a new possibility: being able to play directly from bed, even during hospitalization or prolonged stays. Consider pediatric wards, where a console often appears next to the bed only thanks to the work of associations and volunteers. These solutions are underdeveloped and almost never found in the country's hospitals.

Today, thanks to cloud gaming, hospitalized children can access their favorite video games simply using a cell phone, tablet, or portable device, without sacrificing their gaming experience even during treatment. This technological revolution brings video games wherever they're needed, breaking down the last barriers between gaming, accessibility, and inclusion.

Cloud gaming transforms video games into a " hardwareless " experience, making them more inclusive and resulting in significant cost reductions. Through relatively low-cost monthly streaming subscriptions (€10 or €15 per month), you have access to a vast library of games without requiring a large initial investment.

Current Challenges and Limitations

"All that glitters is not gold" is a saying that even cloud gaming, with its inclusive revolution, cannot be excluded from. This technology, like any technology that isn't yet fully mature, still has limitations that prevent widespread deployment.

First of all, it requires an Internet connection, so cloud gaming in rural areas without signal coverage won't work.

A further obstacle to a satisfying gaming experience is the latency created in the execution of game commands ( latency ), which tends to be higher in cloud gaming, as the command is transmitted over the airwaves to the data centers where the game is run.

This factor can make it impossible to play games that require rapid button presses. For those with a physical disability, the gaming experience can be severely compromised; while for those with a cognitive disability, the lack of enjoyment from the game can lead to frustration and disappointment.

Game latency, the real problem behind cloud gaming, poses an additional barrier for gamers with disabilities due to graphical artifacts such as blurring, artifacts, and resolution drops that occur due to video compression.

For those with partial vision impairments, these problems make subtitles, icons, or health indicators illegible, making it difficult to recognize essential elements on the screen.

While there are no systematic studies, testimonials from communities like AbleGamers and Accessibility Days confirm that these issues negate the benefits of cloud gaming .

Improvements in codecs and connections could help, but currently they are dependent on network stability.

CONCLUSION

The future of cloud gaming is brighter than ever. According to a report by Mordor Intelligence , the cloud gaming market could reach over $39.57 billion by 2030, with a growing focus on inclusivity. Elon Musk's company Neuralink , for example, is “stimulating” the industry towards gaming without the need for hardware and controllers, focusing on neural interfaces and mental commands. This evolution will eliminate many physical obstacles, offering new ways of interaction even to those with significant motor or sensory disabilities. At the same time, developers are working on AI (Artificial Intelligence) algorithms that personalize the gaming experience in real time, adapting difficulty levels and interfaces to the user. Collaboration between industry, researchers, and user associations can create a truly inclusive ecosystem, where anyone can access and enjoy without barriers. Cloud gaming , thus, is transforming from a simple technological trend to a tool for social equity. However, it remains essential to overcome the limitations associated with bandwidth latency. With the spread of 5G, the expansion of fiber optics, and the improvement of data compression technologies, it is reasonable to hope that these critical issues will be resolved in the near future, definitively opening the doors to a universal and accessible gaming experience without hardware and controllers.

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