This week, Io.net and YOM, two leading web3 gaming organisations, announced a partnership aimed at offering near-zero cost solutions in the cloud gaming sector, as a toolset for individual game developers to develop with.
This move, especially following the boost in interest in the web3 gaming sector, serves as an attractive strategy for cloud gaming developers to go web3, so in today's article, we shall be analysing what exactly cloud gaming is, and the impact it has on improvement of storage of game development assets.
Decentralised GPU storage is emerging as an innovative model in cloud gaming, allowing users to play high-end games without specialised hardware by streaming from a distributed network of GPUs. Unlike traditional cloud gaming providers, which rely on centralised data centres, decentralised GPU networks pool resources from various independent contributors, and often powered by blockchain, it enables individuals and small entities to share their GPUs and earn revenue from it, creating a more flexible, scalable, and often cost-effective alternative to centralised models.
This shift offers several benefits, including potentially lower costs, reduced latency, and improved scalability. Decentralised networks can allow games to run on GPUs closer to the user, minimising latency, a key factor in gaming quality. Additionally, decentralised gaming infrastructure is inherently scalable, as it doesn't depend on a single, costly data centre but rather on a dynamic network of nodes. However, decentralised gaming still faces challenges, such as varying network stability, compatibility issues, and security risks, as decentralised networks lack the unified control and quality assurance of centralised setups.
This significant shift in gaming infrastructure, reducing the need for large data centres and introducing more flexible, market-driven pricing models. It also aligns with broader trends toward Web3, with blockchain enabling secure transactions and new digital asset models within games. While still in its early stages, decentralised GPU storage has the potential to change how gaming resources are accessed, making high-quality gaming more affordable and widely available.
Decentralised GPU networks offer significant benefits to global cloud gamers, especially by reducing costs, improving access, and minimising latency. Statistics highlight the growing demand and impact of these networks. The global cloud gaming market is projected to grow from around $1.5 billion in 2021 to nearly $8 billion by 2027, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 40%. As demand soars, decentralised networks make it easier for users to access high-performance gaming resources without needing expensive local hardware, saving gamers potentially hundreds or thousands of dollars on gaming rigs. By leveraging decentralised GPUs, which allow users to pay only for what they use, gamers in markets where dedicated GPUs are expensive or scarce can gain access to quality gameplay affordably.
Latency is another major area where decentralised GPU networks benefit gamers. Traditional cloud gaming providers house servers in centralised locations, which can lead to latency issues for users far from these data centres. Decentralised GPU networks, however, can offer a solution by bringing computing resources closer to users through edge nodes. Studies indicate that reducing latency by even 20-30 milliseconds can lead to significantly improved player experience, especially in competitive gaming, where reaction times matter. Decentralised networks allow for more local nodes, thus enabling smoother, more responsive gameplay for users globally, especially in underserved regions where centralised data centres are limited.
Lastly, decentralised GPU networks are vital for expanding global access to cloud gaming. More than 2.7 billion gamers worldwide, including many in regions with limited computing infrastructure, stand to benefit from cloud gaming. These networks’ flexibility allows resources to scale with demand, supporting growing player bases without the need for costly new data centres. For example, distributed resources can help cloud gaming become accessible in emerging markets in Africa, Southeast Asia, and South America, where gaming demand is rising but access to high-end hardware remains low.
The decentralisation of GPUs is emerging as a key trend that could transform the future of cloud gaming, making it more accessible, affordable, and user-centric. Traditionally, cloud gaming has relied on centralised data centres run by large tech companies, requiring billions of dollars in infrastructure investment. However, decentralised GPU networks, which tap into a distributed pool of GPU resources contributed by individuals or smaller organisations, provide a more flexible and scalable approach. The global GPU market is expected to grow from $23.5 billion in 2020 to around $202 billion by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 27.4%. These decentralised GPU networks thus enable gamers to rent GPU power from a global marketplace rather than a single provider, reducing costs and broadening access to high-performance gaming.
Decentralised GPU networks are poised to drive major growth in cloud gaming, particularly in regions with limited access to high-end hardware. By 2025, the global cloud gaming market is expected to reach approximately $6.3 billion, reflecting a CAGR of nearly 40%. With decentralised networks, gaming platforms can offer affordable, pay-as-you-go models that appeal to users in emerging markets across Asia, Africa, and Latin America, where demand for gaming is expanding rapidly but access to high-end GPUs remains limited. A report from the GSMA indicates that by 2025, over 600 million people in sub-Saharan Africa will have mobile internet access, showing the potential for mobile cloud gaming adoption in areas previously underserved by traditional hardware markets. Decentralised systems can also scale more efficiently in response to demand spikes, enhancing flexibility for cloud gaming providers and opening up new global markets.
For end-users, decentralised GPU networks can significantly improve the gaming experience by reducing latency. Studies have shown that latency below 50 milliseconds is ideal for real-time gaming experiences, especially for competitive titles. Unlike centralised data centres, which often have limited proximity to remote users, decentralised networks enable edge nodes to process data closer to the gamer, lowering latency. A report from Statista indicates that by 2023, over 70% of gamers in the United States will play online multiplayer games where low latency is crucial.
By creating such a global, distributed network, decentralised GPU infrastructures provide faster load times, improved performance, and reduced costs, leading to a more location-optimised gaming experience. As the model matures, it could redefine the cloud gaming industry by making high-quality gaming more accessible and enjoyable for a broader range of users worldwide.
To fully realise the potential of cloud gaming, the gaming industry must continue to adapt to technical advancements, including decentralised GPU networks, more robust internet infrastructure, and edge computing. These technologies collectively address some of the core challenges in cloud gaming today—such as latency, accessibility, and cost—enabling a more seamless experience for a diverse, global user base. As decentralised and scalable GPU networks expand, they have the potential to make high-quality gaming available to millions more users, including those in regions where hardware access has traditionally been limited. This shift not only democratises access to powerful gaming experiences but also positions cloud gaming as a primary mode of play in the future.
Looking forward, the future of gaming with cloud technology holds the promise of delivering immersive, high-fidelity experiences on any device, from smartphones to smart TVs, without the need for dedicated consoles or high-end PCs. As cloud gaming evolves, we can expect new levels of interactivity, personalization, and connectivity that redefine how players interact with games and with each other. By embracing these technological advancements, the industry can create an ecosystem where gaming is more inclusive, on-demand, and powered by flexible, decentralised resources—transforming gaming into a universally accessible and elevated experience.
As developers and gaming platforms embrace decentralised GPU networks, it's essential to consider how these advancements can enhance the gaming experience for players. By prioritising low-latency solutions, scalable infrastructure, and cost-effective access, developers can make high-quality gaming more accessible and enjoyable for users around the world. Building with players’ needs (such as responsiveness, affordability, and accessibility) in mind ensures that the shift toward decentralised technology directly benefits gamers. This user-centric approach not only strengthens loyalty but also contributes to a more inclusive gaming ecosystem, where everyone can enjoy seamless, immersive experiences regardless of their device or location.
