4. Cloud Gaming
Cloud gaming is another vague term that isn't particularly well known by the gaming mainstream yet, but it's been in the works for a few years, and has slowly started taking off with game-streaming services like OnLive. What this service does is allow those without gaming PCs the ability to play games by streaming them from their internet connection, inputting commands on their sub-standard computer that are beamed over the web to a server, which is running the game remotely. It's an exciting prospect that has generally been well-received so far, though the downsides are evident - to stream the game video in full-HD, it requires a meaty Internet connection, as well as a generous bandwidth allowance. Though the technology is still very much speculative, we wouldn't be surprised to see it become a more favourable resource for PC gamers as connections get faster. While it's less likely to be adopted by consoles - as the hardware of the unit is standardised, and if you've got a fast connection, you can just download the game digitally anyway - PC gamers could benefit hugely from this, if those behind the technology can negotiate bandwidth agreements with major Internet providers, as is presently the most pressing issue.