The Impact Cloud Databases are Having on Game App Development

The Impact Cloud Databases are Having on Game App Development

The rapid development in the field of cloud technology has revolutionized the way Software applications are developed, deployed, and maintained. Cloud databases, in particular, have emerged as a critical component in modern games app development. They offer game developers a cost-effective and scalable way to process vast amounts of user data. 

In this article, we will explore the impact of cloud databases on game app development, discussing their benefits and future potential. 

Task Delegation and Reduced Workload

Contrary to the traditional types, cloud databases allow game developers to store and manage their game data via off-site servers run by dedicated providers. This setup means that you get unique advantages brought on by the providers. They can help you perform a specific task that will otherwise be delegated to the developer’s team. 

A use case scenario may be considered using Google Cloud Platform (GCP). In another post, we highlighted GCP’s noteworthy features, which include in-house analytics and live migration support. Game developers can benefit from such perks by having a stable and flexible developing environment without the need to handle boilerplate tasks. In turn, they can focus on other important matters like fine tunning the gaming app.

Developed Infrastructure and Improved Accessibility

Another significant impact of cloud databases is that they eliminate the need for game developers to build and maintain their own infrastructure. In many cases, especially big projects like triple-A game titles, going for traditional options might mean investing in expensive hardware and software to manage databases. It can be costly, not to mention time-consuming. 

With the help of cloud databases, you may use the infrastructure of the cloud platform to work on your projects.  Veteran game developer Kasey Fu did an analysis of cloud-based game development and explained that these platforms could have the resources to help game devs achieve faster computing and deployment.

Providers typically have servers spread in different regions as well, allowing the developer’s team to have comparatively easy access to project assets. It provides you with more opportunities for collaboration, especially among team members living in various parts of the world. 

Better Scaling

Cloud databases also have a major impact on scalability. In the past, game developers had to anticipate the maximum number of users their game would have and build the project accordingly. 

Now with the help of cloud databases, game developers can scale up or down as per the need depending on user demand. So this means that game developers can better accommodate the spikes in traffic. As a result, game developers can optimize their costs and provide the best possible user experience.  

Minimized Risk of Downtime: 

Another key impact of cloud databases on game app development is improved reliability. Cloud providers have redundant servers and failover mechanisms in place. These protective measures make sure that the game data is always available, even at times when the server is facing issues internally.  They help mitigate the risk of data loss or downtime, which can be detrimental to the success of a game app. 

The Impact Cloud Databases are Having on Game App Development

It’s especially crucial for titles with a massive community, like Fortnite with its millions of players. Even if “server down” status happens sometimes, it’s usually only for a short period. Game developers can quickly deploy the backup systems with the help of their cloud database provider.

Data Synchronization and Patching

Game developers have the ability to implement robust data replication and synchronization mechanisms in their cloud database environment, which helps in improved data consistency. This is greatly beneficial for games aimed at a regional or international audience, as their devs may need to manage data spread across multiple data centers. Stable and consistent data helps ensure that your game will run smoothly. 

Cloud databases allow you to make the changes, such as game updates, that are relatively easier to use and handle, which is largely due to the fact that they can support both structured and unstructured data. An article on ‘How Cloud Databases are Improving Gaming for the Better’ mentions MongoDB as an example, as it has a flexible schema which is critical for testing and deploying patches.

Games app development makes use of all sorts of data and forms simple document files into complex media assets. This flexibility provides developers with more room with which it works when building and delivering patches or fixing bugs. At the same time, it allows them to accommodate as many end-users as possible.

MongoDB’s compatibility and integration encompass support for the most used programming languages, run-time environments, and operating systems. These include Java, Python, Docker, Node.js, Linux, Windows, and MacOS. This level of versatility aids devs in building assets that can work on different consoles and gaming systems. In today’s competitive gaming landscape, having cross-platform support is vital for a game app to grow and flourish.

Lower Talent Costs and Stable Operations

Other than the above-mentioned benefits, cloud databases can help game developers reduce the costs of manpower. Since cloud providers handle the management and maintenance of the infrastructure, game developers do not need to invest in personnel for this role. This can result in significant cost savings, allowing you and your team to allot more resources to other aspects of game development.

The money you save can instead be spent on phases like game design, marketing, and user acquisition – all of which may need a considerable amount of money. 

Cloud databases also offer improved performance for game apps. Cloud providers typically have fast, reliable, and high-bandwidth networks, which means that game data can be transmitted quickly and efficiently. This can result in faster load times, smoother gameplay, and better overall performance for game apps.

Continuous Advancement

As cloud technology continues to evolve and improve, cloud databases will inevitably get better with time since cloud platforms are investing heavily in technologies such as artificial intelligence, augmented and virtual reality, and edge computing.

Our report on ‘Top Technology Trends You Need To Know About’ delved into these advancements, and they can help improve the capabilities of cloud databases.

Additionally, new database models are emerging, such as graph or node-based, and they can provide game developers with even more versatility in managing data.

Wrapping Up

The impact of the cloud database on game app development is diverse. It ranges from operational aspects to resource and asset management. They offer numerous benefits, including scalability, reliability, improved performance, and cost savings. 

These back-end components allow developers to create feature-rich and stable gaming applications known and loved by gamers worldwide. 

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