// Amazon reportedly working on a cloud gaming service that could be releases next year
// Would allow users to play AAA games without a console or PC
// Microsoft and Google working on similar projects which could disrupt the industry
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Amazon is understood to be working on a video game streaming service, allowing users to play AAA games without purchasing expensive hardware, a disc or even a game download.
According to The Information, the online retail giant has begun conversations with game publishers about distributing their titles on its new streaming platform, which would run games on powerful computers inside data centres and allow users to stream them on anything from smartphones to smart TVs.
The service could arrive as early as next year and promises to disrupt the video game industry as it would remove the need for anyone to purchase costly consoles or PCs in order to play the latest games.
The Verge corroborated The Information’s reports, revealing that Amazon has numerous job listings relating to the development of “cloud games”.
This includes an advert for a lead cross platform game engineer stating the job was a “rare opportunity to take a technical leadership role to shape the foundation of an unannounced AAA games business”.
Both Microsoft and Google are also understood to be working on similar streaming services, but Amazon is thought to be a key contender due to its superior infrastructure.
As cloud gaming works via streaming, if a user is too far away from a company’s servers, the game will be largely unplayable due to lag. Thanks to Amazon’s global infrastructure, it could pull ahead of its rivals.
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