Is Cloud Technology the Future of Gaming?
Meena is a member of The Motley Fool Blog Network -- entries represent the personal opinion of the blogger and are not formally edited.
Streaming video services provided by companies like Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX) and Amazon.com changed the way people watch movies. Now companies like AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T), Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ), and Time Warner Cable are preparing to deliver video games directly to televisions, according to people with knowledge of the matter (See if AT&T will catch Verizon in spectrum race). These companies are looking to provide TV owners with more than just social games like CityVille and casual games like Tetris and Solitaire, they want to deliver the most advanced action-based games from developers like Take-Two Interactive Software and Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: EA). All three cable providers have the capital and resources necessary to offer high-speed streaming gaming services.
In 2011, the gaming console market was dominated by three players: Sony, Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT), and Nintendo. These players were the main beneficiaries of industry revenues worth $24.1 billion in 2011, and have the most to lose if games make a shift from the console to the television (See if the Nintendo Wii U is the future of console gaming). Streaming games directly through the TV poses an obvious threat to the developers of the Playstation, Wii and Xbox.
Cloud gaming would allow gamers to avoid having to purchase a console, as they could buy generic controllers or convert their smartphone into a controller which would be connected to their set-top box or TV. Expect to see trials for streaming game services later this year, and deployment of the full version as early as 2013. Microsoft’s Xbox Live already allows Xbox 360 Live subscribers to purchase games and add-ons online. When gamers purchase a streaming copy of a game, game developers can beef up their margins. These companies also benefit by making the game for a single platform rather than for each of the various consoles.
Carriers still have a ways to go if they want to become competitive in the interactive gaming industry. Carriers would need to license virtualization technology, and in order to have the same quality as the players in the gaming industry, their services must incorporate a powerful graphic processor into their data centers. NVIDIA Corporation, one of Intel’s largest micro-processor competitors, has been working on data-center technology and has made a big bet on cloud gaming, said Tony Tamasi, a senior vice president of NVIDIA. Tamsi stated “We’ve put stuff into our chips specifically to enable this kind of functionality.”
The competitive analysis table above shows various companies mentioned in this article, including the streaming movie provider Netflix, the software and gaming console developer Microsoft, the two massive telecommunication providers AT&T and Verizon, and two game developers Take-Two Interactive and Electronic Arts. Looking at the valuation, Netflix and EA are the most expensive in terms of P/E and EV/EBITDA, and Verizon is cheaper than AT&T in terms of P/E and EBITDA. In the past five years, Netflix and AT&T have grown revenues faster than the other comparables and they also boast the highest ROA and ROE. Moving down to the margins, Netflix and AT&T are the leaders in both profit and operating margins. Looking at year-to-date returns, every company’s stock has grown quite impressively, except those of Take-Two and EA, who have shrank by double digits.
We expect that both hardcore gamers and game developers will evolve with the next generation of platforms, including those from cable providers, as well as traditional console developers. As the fall season approaches and the holidays get closer, the competitive landscape of this industry will be truly worth watching.
Looking For More Analysis?
The precipitous drop in Netflix shares since the summer of 2011 has caused many shareholders to lose hope. While the company's first mover status is often viewed as a competitive advantage, the opportunities in streaming media have brought some new, deep pocketed, rivals looking for their piece of a growing pie. Can Netflix fend off this burgeoning competition, and will its international growth aspirations really pay off? These kinds of issues are a must know for investors, which is why The Motley Fool released a brand new premium report on Netflix. Inside, you'll learn about the key opportunities and risks facing the company, as well as reasons to both buy and sell the stock. They’re also offering a full year of updates as key news hits, so make sure to click here and claim a copy today.
This article is written by Mike Pate and edited by Jake Mann. Mike has a long position in MSFT. The Motley Fool owns shares of Microsoft and Netflix. Motley Fool newsletter services recommend Netflix. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.If you have questions about this post or the Fool’s blog network, click here for information.
