Streaming Games Instead of Consoles? Ubisoft CEO Thinks This is Last Console Gerenation

In an interview with Variety, Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemont has stated that he thinks the next console generation shall be the last. In the interview Guillemont stated “I think we will see another generation, but there is a good chance that step-by-step we will see less and less hardware.” This prediction somewhat echoes the scenario that occurred for movies and music. Hardly anyone still uses CDs or DVDs, and, in fact, most houses don’t have a CD or DVD player even hooked up. However, Guillemont and others in the industry seem to think gaming will also move into the realm of streaming. Will streaming games become as normal as streaming movies, or is Guillemont talking nonsense? 

Technological Hurdles 

The first problem that would need to be overcome for streaming games with console quality would, of course, be internet connections. Currently, most Americans don’t live in areas with infrastructure that supports fast enough internet for streaming games to be feasible. Places like Japan and Europe, where servers are much closer to users, have no such issues. It makes sense that Guillemont, from France, would see streaming becoming the new industry standard. And maybe in Japan and Europe, it will! 

However, in America, the infrastructure to make game streaming anything other than an exercise in frustration just isn’t there yet. Many areas are so remote and distant from the nearest server hub that they will likely never get internet speeds to rival more urban areas.  

What do you Own When all Games are Streaming Games? 

The other issue that would need to be tackled, of course, would be one of ownership. Or rather, convincing gamers to give up their ownership of their games. This issue has already cropped up with music and movies. If you opt to just use streaming services for everything and physical media becomes a relic of the past, you actually won’t be able to own any of the things you love.  

Take this anecdote from Xbox Live Arcade, for instance. The video game adaptation of Scott Pilgrim vs the World was pulled from that service due to licensing issues. Now, unless you have that game saved on a hard drive already, it’s gone. That video game has effectively been erased due to its digital-only distribution method. If the gaming industry wants seriously to move towards streaming, there will absolutely be major pushback. Gamers who value owning physical media will be some of the loudest voices if gaming moves in this direction. 

Even now, you can see some pushback against digital-only trends in other industries. Vinyl record sales stay steady, despite the prevalence of streaming services like Apple Music and Spotify. Print book sales remain solid in the face of e-readers. There’s something inherently desirable about holding physical media and owning the art you love. 

A Likely Future? 

That all said, Guillemont’s future isn’t exactly an impossibility. Streaming services will certainly be here soon, but they will likely never fully replace the home console. Nintendo, for instance, has recently revolutionized what can even be considered a “home” console with the Switch! Were all games streaming-only, innovation like a hybrid console wouldn’t have come to be.  

In much the same way that the cell phone didn’t kill handheld gaming, I am fairly certain that streaming won’t kill the home console. You’re fighting more than just technological hurdles, you’re fighting people’s sense of ownership and attachment. And if we’ve learned anything, it’s that people like their stuff. 

Feature Image Credit: jeuxvideo.com