A method for cloud gaming. The method including generating a video frame when executing a video game at a server. The method including scanning-in the video frame to an encoder at the server scanline-by-scanline. The method including encoding one or more encoder slices as one or more encoded slices at the encoder, wherein each encoded slice is delivered to a buffer at an encoder fill rate. The method including draining a first encoded slice from the buffer to stream the first encoded slice at a buffer drain rate over a network to a client, wherein the first encoded slice is streamed over the network before fully encoding the one or more slices of the video frame.