Cloud gaming is revolutionising gaming, as it is device-agnostic. Visions of a “post-hardware world” where people may no longer be tied to specific devices to play games, and will instead care more about software and services, may soon become a reality. However, the realisation of cloud gaming’s huge potential is imperilled by restrictions imposed by incumbents who stand to lose revenues if the service becomes successful. Cloud gaming does not only raise technical and business challenges, but also competition policy ones.
At this conference, Geradin Partners brings together stakeholders from the gaming industry, cloud gaming services, academia and the competition regulators to discuss cloud gaming’s potential, and how it can evolve unrestrained.
Speaker: Stijn Huijts (Geradin Partners)
To open the conference, Stijn will explain the fundamental shift that cloud gaming embodies from local to cloud-based storage and processing, and how this could lead to a “post-hardware world” where people care more about software and services than having the newest, most powerful equipment. Stijn will also explain the impact cloud gaming could have on distribution models and incumbents’ market positions, as well as introducing the regulatory initiatives relevant to this nascent area.
Speakers: Jonty Cowan (Wiggin LLP, formerly Electronic Arts), Andrea Coscelli (Keystone and former CEO, Competition and Markets Authority), Professor Joost Rietveld (UCL School of Management), Stephanie King (Playco).
Cloud gaming has huge potential as it moves storage and processing into the cloud, which makes it less important to have access to high-end hardware to play AAA games. There is consensus that a significant part of the market will move to cloud gaming. However, Google recently discontinued its Stadia service. Latency issues can hobble the user experience and can be tricky to resolve.
This panel will discuss what the technology of cloud gaming could achieve and what impact this would have on hardware and software makers. It will also explore how the hurdles that stand in the way of cloud gaming’s potential to be released can be overcome. In light of Google’s exit, the panel will also touch on how game developers and publishers can be sure that service providers will fully commit to gaming.
Speakers: Damien Geradin (Geradin Partners), Alison Gold (UK Competition and Markets Authority), Vincent Scheurer (Rebellion Games and TIGA), Cristina Caffarra (Keystone Strategy), Dr. Friso Bostoen (KU Leuven).
The CMA has identified that Apple restricts the publication on the App Store of cloud gaming apps that give access to a catalogue of games. In addition, Google places restrictions on how cloud gaming service providers can monetise their apps. At the same time, the future development of cloud gaming services will disrupt existing distribution models and create new ones.
This panel will discuss the restrictions imposed by Apple and Google, as well as any justifications the companies put forward. It will also look to the future and discuss how competition law and digital regulation can ensure that as cloud gaming grows in importance, a level playing field is promoted that will benefit consumers and the gaming industry.