I don't care for game streaming at all and, even if the experience is a perfect match for offline (and I don't see that becoming possible for a long time at best) it still removes all notion of ownership. Really hope it remains an optional thing.
That would mark the end of supporting new games for me. I'd become retro only.
Yea... I'm with you on this. For me, it's
not the issue of ownership - I already buy digital-only games without issue. In fact, I think that digital-only games have really had a positive effect on the industry in giving us types games we'd never get otherwise. And I also don't entirely mind streaming video and audio stuff either. I enjoy Netflix, amazon prime, and spotify - and also purchase the TV, music, and video I enjoy most in physical formats.
But I'm the type of guy that plays all of his retro games on OG hardware on a CRT for the most authentic experience. Because when it comes to video games, I need to be able to run the game on my own local hardware with the fastest display possible. I don't care if it's a handheld, console, PC, or smartphone. It's essential for me to have consistent, measureable, controllable form of minimal input delay. It's important for me to
know that every form of slowdown, stutter, bug, or glitch is occuring on my own hardware in a controlled environment. And it's essential that I be able to play without any form of video compression that a streaming service could add.
It's a tactile notion. Like the difference between driving manual and automatic. There's a certain
feel to controlling games that has kept me coming back year after year to experience all the medium has to offer. It's true whether we are discussing playing a fighting game, Rocket League, or even a simple turn based RPG.
And if streaming became mandatory, I'd consider it relinquishing too much control over what I enjoy about the hobby. There's a line I'm not crossing. And streaming is the line.
