Over the last few decades, technology has revolutionised the gaming industry. Whether it be computer games, console games, mobile games or games at an Online Casino just about everyone, young and old enjoys some version of technology-enhanced gaming. While many forms of traditional games like board games are still enjoyed, they rarely compare to the engagement and entertainment value of modern gaming.
A Brief History
As technology has improved the gaming experience and the industry surrounding it has transformed. Moving well beyond simple flashing lights to ever-more and more detailed and immersive gaming experiences.
Early gaming was defined by simple shapes being moved around on a low-resolution screen to complete simple tasks. Through the 80s and 90s, this progressed into more detailed characters and environments and many still famous gaming brands and franchises were born.
As computing power increased through the 2000s the gaming industry was focused on delivering an ever-increasing level of detail and realism in their games. During this period games were mostly popular amongst young people and those few older people who had been gamers themselves when they were younger. Gaming though had yet to hit the mainstream.
It wasn’t until the 2010’s with the proliferation of Smart Phones and Mobile gaming, that gaming in some form became ubiquitous to all. Gaming moved away from the computer or tv screen and now everyone could enjoy gaming from a device in their pocket. Simple puzzle games, word games and many others achieved a level of popularity that many early game developers could have only dreamed of.
Where to Now
Technology continues to impact the gaming industry and alter and improve the experiences it provides. Here are 5 technological trends that are impacting the gaming industry today and well into the future.
- Virtual Reality – Virtual Reality or Augmented reality is a transformative technology that substantially alters the experience of the gamer. Virtual reality immerses the gamer in a 360degree gaming environment. This replaces a traditional screen with a headset that allows a gamer to truly enter and explore a digital world. While the concept of virtual reality has been around for many years, it is only recently that technological improvements have allowed for a truly immersive experience.
Augmented reality is a hybrid or merging of the digital world with the real world. This can be done in 2 ways. Through geo-locating users and transforming their movements in the real world to move a character around in a game. Alternatively, a transparent headset or “glasses” can be worn that add a digital overlay to the real world.
- Mobile Gaming – While mobile gaming has become prevalent over the last decade the continuing improvement in the power and capabilities of mobile phones means this technology will continue to impact and transform gaming into the future.
Mobile gaming has acted as a gateway to introduce many people to gaming and this continues to be the case. While simple puzzle and word games continue to be popular on mobile devices, many gaming titles are being released that could compete with console or PC games for their complexity, quality, and immenseness. In fact, many gaming publishers are taking advantage of mobile gaming trends by producing mobile versions of many popular titles.
- Artificial Intelligence – From a technological standpoint we are still only at the beginning of unlocking the potential of artificial intelligence. To date, its impacts on gaming are still minimal but it is without a doubt going to be one of the major drivers over the next decade.
Artificial intelligence has the potential to make games smarter, and more immersive and introduce a new level of challenge and complexity that was previously impossible to code. This technology has the potential to eventually make player characters and non-player characters (NPCs) indistinguishable from each other.
- Streaming – Social media has led to a transformation of who are content creators and who are content consumers. The division between the 2 has become blurred and more and more people are becoming creators. Gaming is not immune to this trend, with more and more people streaming their previously personal, gaming time to people around the world.
Streaming is where players will live broadcast their gaming to those who are interested in watching it. Sites such as Twitch are full of streams from gamers playing almost any game you can imagine. Watching streams has become an extremely popular form of entertainment with Twitch indicating 31 million daily active users.
Some streamers become so popular they become featured in games through custom content. Therefore, without a doubt, streaming has transformed gaming from individual entertainment to a type of mass media.
- eSports – Gaming has moved beyond being an activity in the dark room of the house. Since the rise of multiplayer games in the 2000s gaming has evolved and local competitions and tournaments have transformed into national ones and now international ones. That is why eSports is now a global industry, with competitions in many countries, broadcasting of events, sponsorship and competition prizes that would make even professional athletes envious.
eSports have provided an opportunity for gamers to, hone their skills, compete, and even make a career out of their passion for gaming. As eSports continues to grow in popularity mainstream media such as the NY Times are taking notice and reporting on the events.
Technology will continue to be the driving force of the gaming industry. Both in unlocking new opportunities for gamers as well as how gaming is integrated into the broader society. In a relatively short period of time, technology has transformed gaming from being the interest of only a minority to being a part of everyone’s daily lives.
The technologies outlined in this article are only a few of the current and future impacts of the gaming industry.
It is exciting to think about what the future holds.