The pros and cons of developing games remotely in the cloud

Cloud computing has introduced a new approach to game development—developing games remotely in the cloud. This blog post will delve into the technical pros and cons of this method to help you make an informed decision about its suitability for your game development needs.

Pros of developing games remotely in the cloud

Scalability

Cloud-based development allows easy resource scaling using services like AWS Auto Scaling to accommodate fluctuating player loads and maintain a consistent gaming experience. With the pay-as-you-go model provided by all major cloud vendors, it’s easy to scale as needed and purchase resources when you actually need them. This is also important for maintaining the cost-effectiveness of the cloud infrastructure as a whole.

Accessibility

Cloud-based development enables access to tools and resources from anywhere with an internet connection, using platforms like AWS Cloud9, improving flexibility and productivity. There are also already SaaS solutions that enable seamless remote game development, such as Remāngu.

Collaboration

Real-time collaboration among team members is facilitated through services like GitHub and GitLab, allowing simultaneous project work and efficient change tracking.

Cost-effectiveness

Pay-as-you-go pricing models, typical of cloud development, allow you to pay only for the resources you use, resulting in cost savings compared to traditional development. Getting the infrastructure right is key, as cloud solutions tend to be expensive and can quickly drain budgets if there is no will to set everything up correctly. A dedicated partner of your chosen cloud vendor is usually a great solution to make sure everything is in order and you are spending adequate resources.

Simplified maintenance

The cloud providers take care of the infrastructure maintenance, allowing the team to focus on developing the game rather than managing the hardware and software. Also, if you really don’t want, have the resources or ability to take care of the infrastructure, it’s easy to work with a cloud vendor partner to manage the infrastructure for you.

Cons of developing games remotely in the cloud

Latency and connectivity issues

Network latency can impact gameplay, particularly for real-time and fast-paced games. To minimize latency, developers must choose cloud providers with a robust global network, such as AWS Global Infrastructure, and data centers near their target audience. And be sure that if something happens, the biggest cloud vendors are also the quickest to solve it.

Security concerns

Data security and privacy are crucial when storing game data and assets in the cloud. Implement robust security measures, such as AWS Identity and Access Management and AWS Key Management Service, to protect sensitive data and ensure compliance with industry regulations.

Costs

While upfront costs may be reduced, ongoing costs can be a concern. Monitor and optimize resource usage effectively to control fluctuating expenses.

Vendor lock-in

Relying on a specific cloud provider’s tools and services may lead to vendor lock-in, making switching providers or reverting to on-premises solutions challenging. Evaluate the implications of vendor lock-in and the benefits against potential drawbacks. There is also a possibility to use multi-vendor solutions.

Learning curve

Adopting cloud-based development requires learning new tools, services, and technologies, necessitating investment in training and adaptation to cloud-based workflows.

Dependency on internet connectivity

A stable internet connection is required for developing games remotely in the cloud. Slow, unreliable, or unavailable connections may hinder work efficiency.

Intellectual property concerns

Secure cloud storage and encryption methods, such as AWS S3 and AWS KMS, must be used to protect game assets, code, and other intellectual property from unauthorized access or copying.

Conclusion

Despite potential drawbacks, many game developers find that the benefits of cloud-based development outweigh the cons. By carefully considering the challenges and implementing appropriate solutions, developers can harness the power of the cloud to create engaging, high-performance games.

With any of the above pros or cons, we can consult on what will be the right choice for you. Book a free consultation with our gaming experts to find out if the cloud is the right path for you.

FAQs

Q1: What are the main benefits of developing games remotely in the cloud?

The primary advantages are scalability to accommodate fluctuating player loads, accessibility to tools and resources from anywhere, real-time collaboration for team members, cost-effectiveness through pay-as-you-go models, and simplified infrastructure maintenance handled by the cloud provider.

Q2: How does cloud development help with scalability?

It allows for easy resource scaling using services like AWS Auto Scaling to manage fluctuating player loads. The pay-as-you-go model lets developers purchase resources only when needed, which also helps maintain cost-effectiveness.

Q3: In what ways does the cloud improve accessibility and collaboration for game development teams?

Cloud-based development enables team members to access tools and resources from any location with an internet connection, using platforms like AWS Cloud9 or SaaS solutions like Remāngu. It also facilitates real-time collaboration through services such as GitHub and GitLab, allowing for simultaneous project work.

Q4: What are the potential drawbacks or “cons” of developing games in the cloud?

The potential drawbacks include network latency and connectivity issues, data security and privacy concerns, potentially high ongoing costs if not managed correctly, vendor lock-in, a learning curve for new tools, a dependency on stable internet connectivity, and concerns about protecting intellectual property.

Q5: How can network latency impact cloud-based game development?

Network latency can negatively impact gameplay, which is a particular concern for real-time and fast-paced games. To minimize this, developers should choose cloud providers that have a robust global network and data centers located near their target audience.

Q6: What is “vendor lock-in” and why is it a potential issue?

Vendor lock-in occurs when a developer becomes reliant on a specific cloud provider’s proprietary tools and services. This can make it challenging and costly to switch to a different provider or move back to an on-premises solution in the future.

Q7: How can a development studio manage the costs of cloud development?

While pay-as-you-go pricing can reduce upfront investment, ongoing costs can be a concern. It is essential to effectively monitor and optimize resource usage to control expenses. Ensuring the infrastructure is set up correctly from the start, often with the help of a cloud partner, is key to managing costs.

Q8: How should a studio protect its intellectual property when developing in the cloud?

To protect game assets, code, and other intellectual property, developers must use secure cloud storage and encryption methods, such as AWS S3 and AWS Key Management Service (KMS), to prevent unauthorized access or copying.