The gaming industry has to evolve in order to keep its audience entertained. This means embracing new technologies as soon as they become available so that the playing experience continues to be enhanced.
Without the adoption of new tech and new ideas, gaming can become stale, and players will look elsewhere for their entertainment. So what new technologies are driving the gaming sector in 2024?
Artificial intelligence
Whether you’re a fan of AI, or you’re wary of its influence, there’s no doubt that the technology has the potential to revolutionize gaming. It’s already been in place for many years, suggesting new titles, but artificial intelligence is beginning to have a significant impact on gameplay.
In games where AI is deployed, the power is handed back to the player, who can create new scenarios and characters. Instead of playing within set parameters, the gamer has the capacity to help the play evolve.
Non-playable characters, known as NPCs, will also change their approach based on AI. They will be able to assess the gamer’s playing style and adapt accordingly. There will always be the option to stay with static titles, and avoid the new tech completely, but for those who are fascinated by artificial intelligence, there is huge potential.
Virtual reality
While the technology has been available for decades, we’re just starting to see virtual reality make a significant mark in the gaming industry. The potential to enhance the playing experience is huge, and we’ll see more titles adopting VR through 2024 and beyond.
Software producers strive for an element of realism in their games, and virtual reality simply takes that quest to another level. Players are suddenly thrust into the heart of the action, thanks to more compact and affordable equipment.
VR has clear advantages in blockbuster titles including shooter games and MOBA formats. It’s already in use in editions of Minecraft, which is one of the biggest selling titles of all time. The technology is also in use in less obvious categories.
Casino games such as roulette, blackjack and online slots can also benefit from VR technology. Operators implemented a hint of realism when they introduced live casino rooms. This was the closest to playing at the tables in Las Vegas at the time, but virtual reality can help to transform that experience even further.
Augmented reality
Augmented reality is similar to VR and many get the two technologies confused. The key difference is in the names, and AR uses augmentation to enhance the playing experience.
Digital images are projected onto a gaming screen and players need special equipment, such as specially developed glasses to see them. Augmented reality is already in video games, and the most popular example of this is Pokemon Go.
In the United States, AR is most commonly used in gaming, and its progression should be extensive in the coming months.
Cross platform gaming
It’s frustrating to find a favourite game, only to discover that you can’t use it on all of your devices. The vast majority of titles can be adapted from large screen to mobile, but many are static and inflexible.
The demand for cross platform gaming is finally starting to take effect, and the trend now is for developers to produce new releases in all formats. Your gaming experience should therefore be the same, whether playing on console, PC, laptop, tablet or smartphone.
Cloud gaming
While there will always be room in the industry for major consoles, including the PlayStation and the Xbox, cloud gaming is claiming a higher share of revenue. This technology allows players to download a selection of games from the cloud, and the choice is growing on a regular basis.
The tech also allows for flexibility, as each game can be played on any device. It’s making gaming more accessible, and while traditional formats are under attack, cloud play will only increase overall interest in the industry.
5G technology
Flexibility is important, but it’s of no use if your mobile provider doesn’t have the capacity to back it up. Fortunately, 5G technology is here, making sound and graphics clearer than ever. This also has the benefit of allowing developers to produce more complex titles with enhanced interactive gameplay.
Gamers can look forward to a future with superfast downloads and little, if no lag. 5G also promises to make gaming more accessible, with better connectivity right across the world.
Each of these technologies is already having an impact on gaming, but we’ve yet to see their full potential. As the year progresses, more games will adopt one or more of these innovations, and the development will be more obvious.
It’s an exciting time for the industry with tech continuing to drive things forward, and it will be fascinating to see these, and new technologies making their mark.
All images are generated by Eray Eliaçık/Bing
