"Emerging as Major Players like YouTube and Netflix"
Market Size Expected to Grow at an Annual Rate of 37.9%
The gaming industry utilizing cloud technology is steadily growing. With the advantage of easy access to games without installation and the expanding market size, big tech companies are increasingly entering the market to dominate it.
The Korea Creative Content Agency recently stated in its '2025 Culture, Sports and Tourism R&D Strategic Service Roadmap Research Report' that regarding cloud gaming, "YouTube (Google) and Netflix are emerging as major global cloud gaming players, and cloud technology is included among the top five technologies planned for future adoption by domestic game companies," adding that "cloud gaming is expected to expand within the gaming industry."
Cloud gaming means running games on the cloud rather than installing or executing them on devices such as mobile phones, PCs, consoles, or smart TVs as before. Once connected to the cloud via the internet, games can be used without installation, downloads, or lag. From the user's perspective, accessibility is relatively higher as games can be accessed on mobile, PC, and consoles alike. From a business perspective, games can be supplied with less memory and processing power than before. Previously, hardware performance was crucial to supply high-spec games, but with cloud-based installation and execution, this is no longer the case. However, the importance of internet networks, such as 5G, becomes even greater.
The cloud gaming market size is also gradually increasing. According to data from the global market research firm Fortune Business Insights, the global cloud gaming market size was $5.76 billion (approximately 8.0933 trillion KRW) last year. It is expected to rapidly grow to $9.71 billion this year and reach $126.62 billion by 2032. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) is estimated at 37.9%. Among the entire market, the North American region holds the largest share. Last year, North America accounted for 41.15% of the global cloud gaming market.
As the market grows, global big tech companies such as Google, Microsoft (MS), Netflix, Nvidia, Nintendo, Sony, and Samsung Electronics are putting effort into leading the market by offering cloud gaming platforms. Google launched the cloud-based platform 'Player Bulls' targeting customers subscribed to YouTube Premium, its paid membership. Netflix has released cloud games based on its own content and operates the 'Netflix Game Controller,' which can be used via mobile devices.
Samsung Electronics also recently announced the official launch of its North American mobile cloud gaming platform service. It had conducted a beta service last year.
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