If only one technology that has enhanced video streaming over the last few years, it’s unquestionably 5G.
5G allows us to stream and watch games in 4k and 8k resolutions, meaning we experience our games in sharper detail than ever before.
However, the innovations 5G has brought to the streaming market don’t end there. In this article, we’ll discuss how 5G technology has positively affected online gaming quality and stands to impact the industry as a whole.
We’ll also touch on the cybersecurity risks that this tech has opened, and the most effective ways to mitigate them.
Faster Streaming and Less Latency
Perhaps the biggest benefit of 5G is its huge increase in speed. For example, players can expect seeds up to 10 Gbps, more than ten times the speed expected from 4G.
Streaming has already significantly changed the world of music and movies. It previously had not taken such a prominent place in the gaming industry though, primarily because of latency.
With 5G, players will enjoy a much smoother gaming experience thanks to response times that can be as low as five milliseconds. Previously, players who wanted to stream with low latency needed to be close to the game server’s location. Otherwise, it would be difficult for them to enjoy their game.
In this sense, 5G is a complete “game changer”. It has reduced latency to such an extent that it’s barely noticeable.
Higher Quality Mobile Cloud Gaming Services
Another substantial impact of 5G on the industry is the rise of mobile cloud gaming services. Since 5G has a higher bandwidth, cloud computing is becoming significantly more feasible.
Now, mobile developers can handle more taxing tasks and deliver better results to players. In addition, so long as the player uses 5G, it won’t matter if they’re using a newer or older phone.
One reason for making it possible is mobile edge computing. It enables running games on localized cloud servers rather than centralized ones. If your device has a 5G data plan, it will connect to smaller data servers that are physically closer, ensuring better connectivity.
Boost Multiplayer Gaming
Gamers will get to enjoy smoother and more immersive experiences and play with other gamers from around the world. It all thanks to the faster speeds and reduced delay that 5G offers. This holds both for cooperative gaming and competitive tournaments or contests.
All in all, 5G stands to create the most refined and advanced multiplayer gaming that we’ve yet seen.
Growing Risk of Cyber Attacks
One of the most concerning aspects of 5G is that it provides more opportunities for hackers and malicious actors. 5G relies on a vast web of interconnected devices and networks, dramatically expanding the attack surface for cybercriminals.
For example, hackers can use man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks to intercept communication between a gamer’s network and the nearest Wi-Fi access point. If gamers’ data is not encrypted, their personal and payment information could be at risk.
Players should use a VPN for streaming that will encrypt their online traffic and protect their online communication from unwanted eyes. A VPN can also improve the overall gaming experience by avoiding bandwidth throttling and go-restrictions.
For this case, choosing a premium VPN with a large server coverage and the latest protocols like WireGuard or OpenVPN is important. Either will help you enjoy all the possibilities and speed of 5G. Players can enjoy streaming with the peace of mind that they do so securely.
Greater Data Usage
The higher resolutions, greater speed, and reduced latency of 5G also naturally translate to an increase in data usage.
Games that could be difficult to play on 4G will perform more smoothly on 5G. However, mobile service providers will need to update their data plans to accommodate 5G gamers’ needs.
This, in turn, means that the cost of data plans may also increase.
Conclusion
There’s no question that 5G delivers significant technological advances to the gaming industry.
It will take several more years to deploy 5G fully. But we can expect game streaming at much faster speeds and much better mobile streaming services with less delay than ever.
At the same time, 5G will likely force mobile service providers to increase their data plans and rates. It’s also expected that 5G will open new doors for cyber attackers. The higher risk requires players to focus more on their cybersecurity tools, like reliable VPN services, to play their games safely.
Keep updated on the latest Gaming News by following GameWatcher on Twitter, check out our videos on YouTube, or by giving us a follow on Google News.
