You're right that these two goals are fundamentally incompatible, which means the only possible solution is to remove the clients' hardware from the equation for online competitive games.
For as much hate as cloud gaming gets (the whole "you will own nothing and be happy" schtick) I see it as the perfect solution to online competitive games:
- Even if you own physical media, you don't own the servers or data necessary to run the game.
- Games can be run by an accountable third party who runs signed kernels and hardware with attestation.
- None of your personal information ever touches this hardware.
There is a middle ground where instead of playing all of your games remotely, you only play the online competitive ones remotely in order to protect your data and ensure a fair environment. Too many companies have become rent-seekers to the detriment of their customers that this won't be seen as a viable solution because of the negative connotations.
Do not mistake this for complacency. I will gladly pick up a torch or pitchfork the moment NVIDIA suggests I rent their servers to play Minecraft or Stardew Valley, but for games like Battlefield 6 I think this solution works perfectly.
For as much hate as cloud gaming gets (the whole "you will own nothing and be happy" schtick) I see it as the perfect solution to online competitive games:
- Even if you own physical media, you don't own the servers or data necessary to run the game.
- Games can be run by an accountable third party who runs signed kernels and hardware with attestation.
- None of your personal information ever touches this hardware.
There is a middle ground where instead of playing all of your games remotely, you only play the online competitive ones remotely in order to protect your data and ensure a fair environment. Too many companies have become rent-seekers to the detriment of their customers that this won't be seen as a viable solution because of the negative connotations.
Do not mistake this for complacency. I will gladly pick up a torch or pitchfork the moment NVIDIA suggests I rent their servers to play Minecraft or Stardew Valley, but for games like Battlefield 6 I think this solution works perfectly.