Amazon Gaming Chief Predicts Console-Free Future Driven by Rising Costs
Rising hardware expenses and improving streaming technology could shift gaming away from dedicated consoles, according to Amazon's head of gaming.
The future of gaming may not require owning a dedicated console, as rising technology costs push players towards online streaming services, according to Jeff Gattis, Amazon's head of gaming.
Gattis stated in a BBC interview that advancements in streaming technology have made cloud gaming a more viable option than in the past. He acknowledged that some consumers will continue to purchase hardware, but sees a significant opportunity to reach a broader audience beyond traditional console owners.
"There are somewhere between two-and-a-half and three billion people who play games around the world, but only a fraction of those own dedicated gaming hardware," Gattis said. He believes that as hardware becomes more expensive, and streaming technology continues to improve, consumers will question the necessity of owning dedicated devices.
Recent years have seen increased prices for gaming hardware, with component costs also rising. Companies like Sony and Microsoft have raised the prices of their consoles, and Valve's new Steam Deck model starts at £879.
Cloud gaming allows users to stream and play games from a remote server using various devices such as phones, tablets, or controllers, bypassing the need to download and run games on a local PC or console. This method has been touted as the future of gaming, but previous attempts, like Google Stadia's closure in 2023, have struggled to achieve widespread adoption.
Major companies including Sony and Microsoft already offer cloud gaming as part of their subscription services. Amazon is integrating its own cloud gaming service, Luna, into the Prime Video app, placing it alongside its entertainment offerings. This move aims to tap into the large, untapped audience Gattis mentioned, those who might be deterred by the high cost of dedicated gaming equipment.