If you are all hyped about cloud computing as it related to next gen consoles (particularly the XBOX ONE), can you explain exactly WHAT cloud computing is, and why it matters?  Do you see it as some sort of "future" mainly?   And can you explain why it matters?  I want this clarified and myself correct.  What I am seeing is individuals who are hyped are mainly Microsoft partisans who have swallowed a buzzword Microsoft put out there, and it bothers me.  I seriously want to be shown I am wrong here, and there is more to cloud computing than ease of administering dedicated servers, and ability to scale in a hurry.  In short, it isn't of benefit to me as a gamer, but to guys running servers.

Again, please show me it is more than just some corporate kool-aid being served here and people swallowing it and hyped, because their console maker of choice needs to be defended.

And I know I am risking getting a warning for this thread, but I am not sure the way to express my concerns here.  In short, this IS a call on my part to show me it isn't just hype.  And I would like to see some posts going into why it matters, not just saying stuff like "Drivatar" or something that is lacking in details.

It isn't doing what Microsoft said it will, but it's by no means useless.

Keeping profiles and game saves on cloud storage, better online experiences and in the PS4's case, streaming backwards compatibility.

Just watch this and if you don't think it sounds cool, I don't know what to tell you...

It is the future. Eventually local hardware will be minimal to non-existant where everything is done with cloud computing. We won't get there anytime soon, though, due to limitations in data transfer technology over vast distances.

But the things it can't do today, it might be able to do in 10 years from now and that's what MS is banking on. They want you to never have to buy another console after Xbox One because the cloud will enhance games enough by that point to not need an increase in local hardware.

I think their 40x stronger with the cloud stuff is mainly their goal for this console cycle. Although obviously that means all new games would have to be always online at some point.

So... Since cloud computing records how you play have an ai of that playing with other people around the world even when your not... Does that mean if you crash into cars alot... your ai that is being played around alot will also crash into cars alot?

Can you explain from a technical sense what that means, outside of it being a buzzword soup with a feature, that it isn't the same thing as dedicated servers or it can't be done?  Watch the videogame.  He said that the cloud makes it easier to hook up dedicated servers.  Outside of that, what else is it?  

Again, how does it do it in ways you don't get today with dedicated servers?  

Technically speaking, I had a job at one time, where I had to administer over 700 Unix servers in a batch pool, and a controller program would manage all that.  For me, that is cloud computing and am had pressed to see otherwise.  But, please feel free to.  Of course, what is going on with cloud is more complex with that, and makes administering servers easier.  But, beyond that, can you explain how cloud computing isn't anything but a name for virtualized servers?

That video doesnt show anything, also, what happens when someone plays forza offline,? You won't see any diff, the could is smoke and mirrors. Unless people playing offline will get a different game? Not going to happen. Also, MS are not the only ones going to the clous, Sony has said years ago the cloud is the future, MS is blowing smoke and using it as a marlketing tool. Of course Xbox fans lap it up.

You do have what Sony is doing, which is the take on OnLive. What I see on the Microsoft side with the One is merely dedicated servers repackaged with a new name, and ease to administer on the admin side.  But, I did want to hear beyond that, if people are actually seeing it and can explain it.  I did get one buzzword soup video.

I don't understand why would you want your "driveatar" to play the game for you when you're at work or whatever. It unlocks things for you. Wheres the fun in that...

playing the newest shit without requiring a hightech machine? how don't you see the benefit