Cloud gaming looks to be the next big thing in the gaming world. It unlocks the ability for gamers to stream and play games anytime on various smart devices.
Google Stadia for one, which is set for launch on 19 November, will allow players to stream video games from its cloud at up to 4K resolution and 60fps.
Services like these are possible now because the world is moving towards 5G networks, which provide the high bandwidth and low latency that could make lag time almost unnoticeable even when you stream games with more advanced graphics.
Singapore is gearing up for 5G as well, and in the gaming frontier, Razer and Singtel are teaming up with the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) to launch the country’s first 5G cloud gaming trial.
Announced at IMDA’s Singapore Digital (SG:D) Industry Day 2019 by Minister for Communications and Information S Iswaran, the trial will focus on testing network readiness for 5G cloud gaming.
It will aim to gain insights on 5G network characteristics and the requirements of cloud gaming, as well as better understand how to design and engineer low latency hardware that can deliver quality performance for cloud gaming.
Razer’s role will be to provide the 5G cloud gaming use case and test scenarios, while Singtel will provide the 5G platform and technical test scenarios.
Said Razer CEO Min-Liang Tan, “We are excited to work with Singtel on trialling the network readiness of cloud gaming here in Singapore, with the support from IMDA.”
“While this is not the roll out of a commercial cloud gaming service, this opportunity is the first step for Singapore to spearhead 5G projects,” he added.
Yuen Kuan Moon, Singtel Consumer Singapore CEO, called 5G a “literal game-changer” for the gaming industry.
“Latency and bandwidth are crucial to internet streaming and 5G will deliver next-generation connectivity that will support immersive gaming, even on mobile devices,” said Yuen.
The trial is set to begin in the next few months, and will be conducted at Shaw Centre, Ngee Ann City, and Razer’s new Southeast Asia headquarters at one-north.
While it’s uncertain how long it will go on for, Razer and Singtel say they plan to hold a public cloud gaming showcase at the end of the trial.
