Could Cloud Gaming Kill The Next-Generation Video Game Console?

The current generation of game consoles is getting a bit long in the tooth, but signs point to late 2013 as the earliest that a replacement for either the PlayStation or Xbox consoles will come online. But then something interesting happened this past week, which could change the way that console makers think about their hardware and software service: Sony bought cloud gaming company GaiKai for $380 million. Sure, rumors abound about what hardware, chips, and specs these devices will have when or if they're eventually released. All indications point to about the same type of hardware development we've seen in past consoles -- including high-performance, next-gen CPUs and GPUs to power even more robust gameplay and graphics capabilities. But if I were Microsoft or Sony right now, I'm not sure I'd be betting on an ever-more powerful box to power its new game platforms. In fact, I'd take a contrarian approach and make as lean of a box as possible, and put all the processing power up in the cloud.

Streaming gaming will change the video game industry. Here's why

The Steam Deck Replaces the PlayStation and Xbox, Not the Switch

Sony's $200 handheld “Portal” can stream games from your PS5 and, uh, that's it [Ars Technica] : r/hardware

The Promise of Cloud-Native Games

GTA V on XCloud is amazing! : r/xcloud

25 Best Video Game Consoles Ever, Ranked

Microsoft's big bet on cloud gaming is what tripped up Activision deal

The best gaming handhelds in 2023

New handheld consoles are turning gamers into hardware agnostics

Cloud gaming: Are game streaming services bad for the planet?

What's next for cloud gaming after Google shuts down Stadia?

The best gaming handhelds in 2023

If you purchase a game on Xbox, can you play that game on the cloud gaming service (XCloud)? - Quora

Cloud Gaming vs. Console Gaming: The Pros and Cons