TELECOMS
using low-latency connections to host heavy IT workloads that are streamed in near-real time to the user ’ s device . The idea is that powerful computers run demanding games remotely , and stream them to a smartphone with such low latency that twitch-based games , where reaction times are paramount , can still be played effectively .
However , 5G infrastructure isn ’ t quite ready to deliver the kinds of cloud gaming experiences that can compete with local platforms , yet .
Sri Iyer , CEO and founder of Game Bench , notes that , “ To meet the demands of enthusiasts , the input latency needs to be less than 133-milliseconds , quickening to less than 83-milliseconds for ultra-gamers , yet the best we can currently serve up is 170 to 180 milliseconds , which only caters to basic performance ”.
Iyer insists , however : “ We ’ re not too far away from an exhilarating future where 5G means high-end games can be played convincingly and seamlessly on mobile devices .” The question poses itself : if we ’ re entering an age where we can run AAA games on monstrously powerful gaming rigs in a data centre , and stream them in nearreal time to a smartphone , why can ’ t we also stream the phone ’ s OS , apps , and data in real time as well ?
The computing power and the software certainly exists . The issue lies with connectivity .
74 May 2022