We’ve talked a bit about cloud gaming in the past, but in light of the E3 conference this week, it seems like a good time to revisit some of the challenges and opportunities in web-based gaming. Even as Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo continue to innovate on their console platforms, new players are entering the market thanks to the ubiquity of broadband and mobile devices. Internet connectivity makes it easier to reach large audiences, and designers can build games on the web that don’t require users to buy a dedicated piece of hardware up front.

There is one major disadvantage to web gaming, however. A game either has to act as a hosted application, meaning users need an Internet connection in order to play, or it has be available for download, which can take significant time and act as a hurdle in new customer acquisition.

Fortunately, there are solutions for the download dilemma, including content acceleration, and the use of an interactive download manager. Instead of forcing consumers to stare at a progress bar for ten minutes, content owners can both speed up the process with web acceleration tools, and create an enjoyable experience during the download by enabling interaction. For example, game developers can share player tips and tricks, deliver promotional offers that leverage game-specific elements, and even create opportunities for users to earn in-game currency before game play begins.

Beyond game downloads, developers also have to consider issues like authentication, ongoing patch management, analytics, and platform support. These are not easy issues, but in a lot of ways they’re good problems to have. The openness of the web makes it easier to reach large audiences and engage them on an ongoing basis. And, as technical problems are solved throughout the industry, more developers are able to take advantage of those advances to build better, more profitable games In other words, developers can focus more on game content than game delivery. That’s the real power of cloud gaming.