The Remarkable Achievement of Resident Evil Village on iOS Challenges the Need for Cloud Streaming

The Graphical Power of Mobile Games

Mobile games have often been underestimated when it comes to graphical capabilities. However, there have been several games over the years that showcased high-end visuals on mobile hardware. From early examples like Infinity Blade to the expansive open world of Genshin Impact, there have always been mobile games that pushed the limits of what the hardware could achieve.

Although these advancements are impressive, one cannot help but feel even more surprised and impressed by Capcom’s accomplishment with Resident Evil Village on iOS. Revealed at Apple’s September launch event for the iPhone 15, this game delivers graphical fidelity that is almost indistinguishable from playing on a PlayStation 5. What makes this even more astounding is the fact that Resident Evil Village is not a game specifically designed for mobile devices. It is a full-fledged AAA console title that runs flawlessly on smartphones, to the point where players can easily forget they are not using dedicated gaming hardware when they connect a controller.

However, it is important to note that the comparison between the iPhone 15 Pro and the current iPad Pros, which offer optimal performance for RE Village, and the three-year-old $500 PlayStation 5 is not entirely fair. Smartphones and tablets have additional components like screens, batteries, 5G radios, and cameras. They cannot simply adopt the console hardware approach of incorporating massive heatsinks and fans to maintain cool temperatures. Despite this, it is not surprising that a newly-launched high-end device can match the performance of a relatively older and more affordable console.

The groundbreaking achievement of Resident Evil Village on iOS serves as a testament to the immense capabilities of modern smartphone hardware. The iPhone 15 Pro, which is expected to sell millions of units this year, proves that it can deliver the same graphical fidelity as a PS5. It is only a matter of time before such performance becomes accessible in mid-range phones, and in a couple of years, the new high-end devices will likely surpass console graphical performance in many scenarios.

The Question of Cloud Streaming

The success of Resident Evil Village on iOS raises an important question, not about the potential of mobile gaming, but rather about the technical justification for cloud streaming. There has been an assumption that high-end gaming experiences on devices like smartphones would require cloud streaming. However, this notion is flawed. Cloud streaming is essentially a “thin client” model, where the processing is done on the server side, enabling the use of inexpensive and underpowered hardware on the client side. Yet, history has shown that running programs on local hardware always outperforms running code remotely on a server. Processing power and storage have become increasingly affordable, and network speeds continue to improve, making the need for cloud streaming less compelling.

Furthermore, console generations are becoming longer, with approximately eight years being the standard. This longevity reduces the appeal of cloud services as an alternative to purchasing dedicated consoles. The pace of hardware updates is also slowing down due to diminishing returns in graphical advancements. Even in the PC market, where GPUs are updated more frequently, the actual impact on game visuals becomes less noticeable with each new generation. The argument for cloud streaming based on technical and economic factors is therefore weak.

The Rise of Smartphone Capabilities

In reality, smartphones and tablets are equipped with chipsets that continue to enhance their gaming capabilities. The notion that these devices can only serve as thin clients is baseless. Additionally, these devices are ubiquitous in the consumer market, regardless of their gaming capabilities. Thus, offering cloud streaming on mobile devices will not save consumers money. Instead, it becomes an additional cost that underutilizes the hardware they have already invested in.

The Appeal of Cloud Streaming for Commercial Reasons

While cloud streaming may not be justified from a technical standpoint, it still holds appeal for publishers due to its business model. Cloud streaming addresses issues such as piracy and enables subscription services, making it a commercial solution. This is evident in pricing strategies, as demonstrated by Resident Evil Village on iOS. The mobile version of the game is essentially the same as the console version but is met with skepticism due to the mobile platform’s history of favoring free-to-play (F2P) models. However, a subscription-based game library, similar to Apple Arcade or Microsoft’s Game Pass, offers a potential middle ground for premium games to find paying audiences on mobile devices.

One critical advantage of cloud streaming for subscription services is the convenience it provides. Pressing a button to instantly start a game is a significant advantage when browsing and selecting from a library of games. This convenience becomes less important when users are dedicated to a specific game and are willing to wait for the necessary files to download. However, for casual exploration of multiple games, the ease of cloud streaming makes it an attractive option.

The Future of Cloud Streaming

While cloud streaming has its benefits, it is important to recognize that the technological advantages are minimal. The true driving force behind the push for cloud streaming lies in its support for subscription-based models. These models provide a more viable path for premium games on mobile devices. Despite the remarkable technical achievement of Resident Evil Village on iOS, its commercial performance may still make a case for cloud streaming and subscription services.