In context: The one thing that digital versions of video games cannot provide is instant playability. Depending on connection speed and the game'due south size, downloads could take anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours. And that is not even considering the time it takes to install.

According to a recently awarded patent, EA may take come up with a solution for bypassing the long download and install times altogether. The process uses streaming engineering to start the game instantly, and so switches to running it locally one time enough information has been downloaded.

Sony uses a similar approach with PlayStation titles. When users start a download, many games volition prioritize essential avails so that users tin can brainstorm playing while the rest of the game downloads in the background (below). Nonetheless, these initial assets as well take fourth dimension to download, so instantly playing is still not an option.

With EA'due south method, a new histrion clicks on the game they want to play, and it starts immediately streaming to the client device. Meanwhile, the local machine downloads the title's data and avails while the user plays. In one case the client has enough of the game data, the streaming server seamlessly hands off playback to the local machine.

Digital downloads are gradually condign the standard medium for video games. They offer many advantages, such equally eliminating the physical clutter and storage space of disc games, and they never go scratched or worn out. Yous can access them from just about anywhere, but they are not available to brainstorm playing instantly.

Game streaming is still in its breakout phase but is gaining some momentum. Using this burgeoning technology to overcome the limitations of digital downloads is a adept idea. However, patents don't always get in to practical application, so don't get your hopes up simply nonetheless.