Exploring the Future of Technology in the Gaming Industry
The power of the gaming industry
The popularity of video games has only been increasing over the last decade and has no plans of slowing down any time soon. With the social benefits of playing video games becoming more apparent, the industry is bigger than ever. In fact, it surpasses both the film and sports industries combined! In 2022, revenue for gaming exceeded $184 billion. The number of gamers is expected to continue to grow, reaching 3.5 million by 2025. Studies have shown that gaming is not just for children but for all ages alike; 16{38557cf0372cd7f85c91e7e33cff125558f1277b36a8edbab0100de866181896} of gamers today are older than 55, with 38{38557cf0372cd7f85c91e7e33cff125558f1277b36a8edbab0100de866181896} being between the ages of 18 to 34.
None of these advancements would have been possible without the addition of technology. Technology has redefined gaming today, helping it to become more mainstream. Read on as we talk further about the tech innovations that will shape the future of video games, from immersive gaming to AI technology – the future’s looking bright!
Future tech advancements
Virtual reality
For many decades, virtual reality (otherwise known as VR) has been presented to gamers as a fully immersive experience through the use of three-dimensional simulations through headsets. However, the technology has been slow to deliver on these promises. Although virtual reality development has hit a few bumps along the way, technology experts and gaming companies are still trying to advance it in the gaming industry. They are doing so by further developing the technology required with VR and investing more resources into overall VR gaming hardware. Huge tech and gaming companies such as Samsung, Sony PlayStation, Meta, and Valve have all ventured toward the VR industry in recent years. Apple is also set to announce its own VR headset in June 2023. As developments continue, the trends in investment in VR are predicted to grow by 2028 to 30.5{38557cf0372cd7f85c91e7e33cff125558f1277b36a8edbab0100de866181896}. So, keep your eyes peeled for the future of VR – as we think it will only get bigger and better!
Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence has been around in games for longer than we think. You can find it behind the scenes of non-player characters (otherwise known as NPCs), the ghosts of Pacman, and the regular bystanders in Grand Theft Auto games.
Artificial intelligence isn’t just used by developers for gameplay experiences. It’s a key component of the game-making experience. For many years, designers have been using AI to assist them in generating gaming assets. This eliminates the need for them to draw each individual component of a game, whether it’s one tree or an entire forest.
Today, AI is capable of generating gaming assets and even, in some cases, entire gaming levels. However, this will not jeopardize the jobs of human designers just yet. While AI cannot generate complete games, it is a distinct possibility for the future. AI-generated art is changing the graphics industry and will continue to do so in the future. In recent developments, one designer managed to utilize AI art to create a shooter game in only three days! Although playing with AI art is an enjoyable pastime for creators, professional game designers are trying to implement AI systems in a way that can make games more enjoyable for users much faster.
Cloud gaming
Advancements in technology mean that gaming in the future might take place on someone else’s computer, otherwise known as the cloud. Cloud gaming, sometimes called ‘game streaming,’ is an online gaming service that allows players to stream games directly to their device by accessing games from other servers, the same way you can stream a series from Netflix or Disney+ without having to use a disc.
This advancement means that the gamer’s hardware isn’t as relevant as before, as they can stream a game regardless of what device they own. Cloud gaming is usually pitched as a gaming subscription service, moving gamers away from owning physical computers and consoles and towards a digital renting service. This knowledge is catching on with bigger brands, with both Microsoft and Sony developing their own cloud gaming services in recent years after previously being console gaming heroes in their own rights. Amazon has also jumped on the bandwagon, debuting its own cloud gaming service called Luna back in 2020. If all of these brands notice the value of cloud gaming, it won’t be long until others catch on. In 2021, Netflix hired their first ever Vice President of Gaming, indicating that a service that was previously strictly for TV shows and movies might try online gaming as well.
In the future, we can expect to see advancements in cloud gaming technology, which is set to be worth $3 billion by 2024. The number of those who have access to the internet is growing rapidly, meaning that those who had a more staggered experience will start to reap the benefits due to these technological advancements. These changes will make it easier for a gamer to stay connected to the game, even without the best Wi-Fi service.
