If you take a look at video games in the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s, the difference in graphics is simply staggering. All of this is made possible due to various hardware updates and with each new CPU and GPU, we get closer and closer to photorealistic video games. Chances are that if you take a look at a highly-rendered cinematic from a year ago, differentiating between characters and real-life actors won’t be an easy task.
Still, while GPUs and CPUs change the concept of gaming in many different ways, they don’t change that much conceptually. VR devices, the rise of mobile gaming, and cross-platform gaming change the way we play games, as well as the way we approach gaming as a whole. It’s for this reason exactly that we won’t focus on new PC components and specifications of a new generation of consoles. Instead, we’ll talk about tech trends as a whole. Here are a couple worth keeping an eye out for.
Mobile Gaming
When it comes to shocking digital data, mobile gaming is at the very top of the list. It makes billions in revenue and, as more people switch to phones as their primary gaming platform, these numbers will rise. The thing is that it doesn’t even have to be a primary platform. It’s a secondary platform that everyone owns and uses.
Also, keep in mind that this is mostly regional. In China, Japan, and India, mobile games are far more popular than in the rest of the world. However, the Western hemisphere is quickly catching up. There’s also a cross-OS difference, with Google Play’s mobile player base growing faster than that of iOS.
The numbers, alone, are quite staggering. In 2021, about 82.98 billion mobile games were downloaded. More importantly, it’s expected that this trend will pick up even faster. By the year 2025, it’s expected that about 71% of Google Play’s revenue will come from mobile games alone. With these forecasts in mind, it’s quite easy to see why mobile games are receiving so much attention.
VR and AR
VR is the technology of the future. Even before we had attained such technology for regular use, the concepts of the Matrix and other instances of one entering a virtual world have existed in our popular culture. Why? Well, because there’s an innate desire for this type of entertainment and this is exactly what VR and AR are fulfilling.
There are more and more games coming out with VR technology but even some of the older games are getting revamped to be more VR-friendly. For instance, Skyrim (a game made in 2011) is currently heavily used with VR support. Who knows how many other such games might get the same treatment?
Now, the biggest advantage over AR is in fact that everyone has a smartphone. While a headset for VR may be quite expensive, AR requires a device that’s probably currently in your hand or your pocket. It just doesn’t get any more convenient than that.
Blockchain
The thing about blockchain is that it makes online interaction a lot safer. Making transactions safer by ensuring that all transactions within the blocks are validated (via a consensus) mechanism has introduced a proper revolution in digital transactions.
We’re not just talking about buying games or purchasing in-game currency but also about the concept of playing in online tournaments and receiving cash rewards. In the past, this issue was always a bit problematic but with the blockchain in full swing, this just seems to be a thing of the past.
This doesn’t just change gaming in the conventional sense, it also revolutionizes how online casinos work. Those inquiring about the best way to deposit cash winnings from casinos will not find all the methods available much safer.
Cross-Platform Gaming
PVP games are all about the competition and having games that are console-exclusive narrows down the competition pool. Well, with the concept of cross-platform gaming on the rise, this might just end up being a thing of the past.
Some of the most popular competitive games in the world fall under this category. Entries like Apex Legends, Brawlhalla, Among Us, and the majority of modern Call of Duty games are also on the list. As you can see, these are all games with hundreds of thousands up to millions of concurrent players.
Also, with more and more games becoming cross-platform compatible, players will be able to choose their console of choice without regret. This is important for several reasons, ranging
Hyper-Casual Games
While some people want to get a full immersion out of a video game, test their mettle, or compete against others, some just want to play something light and fun. This is where hyper-casual games come in. These games are instantly playable, have short sessions, and don’t activate any stressors. If we had to describe the two most important aspects of hyper-casual games, they would be to pass time and release stress.
There are several other things you need to know about hyper-casual games. First, they’re predominantly mobile, seeing as they need to be accessible at any time and finished in a couple of minutes (maybe even seconds). This means that you can whip them out while taking a public transportation ride or being stuck in the waiting room. They are also, usually, free to play.
In the west, hyper-casual mobile games are currently between 40% and 50% of all mobile game downloads. The thing is that people prefer playing more immersive games on consoles or PC.
Final thoughts
The last thing worth keeping in mind is that tech trends evolve in agreement with the market. Sure, sometimes new technology is a gamble, however, if not enough people show interest, there won’t be enough funding, which will slow down progress in this area. While marketing is quite potent, the truth is that there’s only so much that can be done. The interest and popularity need to be grown organically, which is why all of these projections may turn out to be false. The only certain way is to wait and see.
