How 5G Powers Cloud Gaming and AR/VR Experiences

By Mwikisa Kanguya

A new era of immersive digital experiences is being ushered in by the introduction of 5G technology, which offers ultra-low latency, fast connectivity, and enormous data capacity, essential components for cloud gaming and AR/VR apps. In contrast to conventional networks, 5G offers smooth streaming and real-time responsiveness, enabling users to interact with high-fidelity augmented and virtual reality settings with little lag and access graphically demanding games without the need for costly hardware. Interactive education, virtual events, telemedicine, and workplace training solutions are all being made possible by this transformation, which is also changing how people consume content. Globally expanding 5G networks are expected to serve as the foundation for immersive technology and next-generation entertainment.

What is Cloud gaming and AR/VR apps?
Cloud gaming lets users stream and play high-end video games directly from the internet without needing expensive hardware, similar to how movies are streamed on Netflix. Meanwhile, AR (augmented reality) overlays digital elements onto the real world, and VR (virtual reality) immerses users in fully simulated environments through headsets. These technologies demand fast, stable, low-latency connections—something 5G delivers with ease. As a result, users can enjoy seamless, high-quality gaming and immersive experiences on mobile devices and wearables, unlocking new possibilities in entertainment, education, and enterprise.

Trailblazers of Immersion: The Startups Shaping Cloud Gaming and AR/VR Apps

Blacknut

Founded by Olivier Avaro, Blacknut offers a cloud gaming platform that enables instant access to a diverse catalog of over 500 games across multiple genres and devices, without the need for downloads or installations. The service supports cross-device play—from smartphones and computers to Smart TVs—and includes features such as online cloud saves, multi-user profiles, controller synchronization, and optional parental controls. With curated game passes and regular content updates, Blacknut provides a scalable and accessible gaming environment designed to support both solo and multiplayer experiences for a broad range of users.

Hololight

Hololight is a German-based company co-founded by Susanne Haspinger that has developed a platform that enables seamless streaming of extended reality (XR) applications from the cloud or on-premise infrastructure directly to XR devices. Using proprietary XR pixel-streaming technology, the company addresses key limitations around hardware performance, device compatibility, and data security. This approach allows high-performance XR experiences to be delivered in real time, making advanced industrial and enterprise applications accessible across a range of environments and devices—similar to how media streaming services deliver video content.

VividQ

VividQ is a UK-based startup co-founded by Darran Milne that is advancing the field of human-machine interaction through its development of computer-generated holography (CGH), a display technology capable of producing true 3D visuals without the need for traditional screens. Originating from research at the University of Cambridge Photonics Labs, the company is building a foundation for immersive digital experiences that seamlessly integrate with the real world. By focusing on applications such as augmented and virtual reality gaming, VividQ is laying the groundwork for broader adoption of holography in next-generation interfaces and display systems.

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