An Amazon game streaming service could arrive before the PS5
Amazon could soon become the latest company to offer a cloud game streaming service, according to an industry expert.
Former game designer and current industry expert at GamesAnalysts.com, Patrick Rose, told Trusted Reviews that there is a very good chance Amazon are working on a game streaming service. It would become a competitor-platform for Google Stadia, Project xCloud and Nvidia GeForce Now.
Related: Why GeForce Now is way more exciting than the PS5
“The chances are good that Amazon is, or soon will be, ready to offer cloud gaming services,” he said. “With Amazon’s upcoming MMORPG New World they might even have a great game in their very own pipeline already, which could be exclusively offered for free on their cloud gaming platform – and maybe even get monetised via in-game purchases.
“Announcing, or even launching such a game streaming service along with or right after the successful launch of New World might be a smart move. Therefore, the start of Amazon’s cloud gaming service before the next gen console launch is imaginable.”
However, Rose argues that game streaming is a particularly fraught market. Because of the nature of game streaming via the cloud, and because of quite how new the market is as a whole, there are few certainties for those currently investing in game streaming. The analyst argues that Amazon will need to learn from companies who have already got involved, if its rumoured platform is to succeed.
Related: You’ll be able to try Stadia for free in the next few months
“They will need to learn from Google Stadia’s mistakes,” he said, “especially in terms of marketing, accessibility and pricing model. If Amazon succeeds, their services might not become a serious competitor for the upcoming console generation right away. They could, however, potentially target an even greater audience outside the niche of classic gamers, including mobile gamers, ‘generation Fortnite’, or even complete non-gamers who could be attracted to the platform.”
Trusted Reviews has contacted Amazon for comment. At time of writing the company has not offered a statement.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
