Video gaming has been around in one form or another for almost half a century. It started with the basics like Pong and has evolved to be incredibly lifelike in all the iterations. As console and PC gaming have evolved over the last three decades, major technological advancements have occurred. Here are two trends that could play a big role in the landscape of gaming in the not-too-distant future.
Mobile gaming
We are already seeing a major push in this arena, not only in console and PC gaming but in other areas. If you want to play online slots for real money, a litany of different apps available to download can give you full access to online casinos.
Mobile gaming provides far more flexibility than traditional and PC gaming. You don’t need to connect a console to your television. There is no need to invest in PC setups that can cost thousands of dollars and take up a ton of space. Accessing your favorite games on your phone quickly means being able to play at any time, anywhere.
Virtual reality (VR)
There has been talk about VR technology for seemingly a decade or more. Gaming is meant to be immersive, to take you into the world that is being portrayed on the screen. But VR technology attempts to make players feel like they are in that world.
We have seen a few different VR headsets come to market with mixed results. The selection of games is quite limited, and the only real traction has been in modified games. Accessibility is still a sizeable issue, although headsets like the Meta Quest 2 are becoming quite a bit more affordable. There is more of a priority from developers in VR gaming so that we could be on the precipice of a major surge.
Augment reality (AR)
If you’re unsure what augmented reality is, the popular mobile game Pokémon GO is the best example. That was the first major title from the AR realm to have success. There are potentially limitless applications of AR gaming, allowing gamers to experience the world in a much different way from their own or even VR tech.
AR is also behind popular Instagram and TikTok filters that have created a variety of trends on both platforms. As technology progresses within the field, combinations of both augmented and virtual reality may be brought to market. Look for more AR-enabled apps, games, and more to come very shortly.
AI game design
When it comes to tech, in general, Artificial Intelligence has become the hot-button topic. We are seeing AI implemented in a variety of fields with much promise. It only makes sense that AI technology has started to intersect with gaming technology. The goal is that AI-powered stories and characters can be generated to create new, immersive worlds to keep gamers on the edge of their seats. Developers are also using AI technology to improve gaming as a whole in ways that gamers may not necessarily be able to see.
Developers are using AI technology to create more adaptive, responsive, and challenging games while minimizing the manual labor typically required throughout the game development process. Another important development is using AI to make non-player characters (NPCs) more realistic in their responses. For now, NPCs are clearly background pieces but they can blend in rather than feel part of what is supposed to be an immersive and realistic world.
Summary
Mobile gaming, virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and artificial intelligence (AI) have changed the gaming industry. With smartphones and tablets, gaming is now on the go, anytime and anywhere. VR and AR deliver immersive experiences, allowing players to step into virtual worlds and interact in unprecedented ways. AI enhances gameplay and creates realistic non-player characters (NPCs). These advancements have transformed the gaming landscape, exciting developers and gamers alike.
Photo credit: The feature image is symbolic and has been done by Christiana T.
