Over the course of a couple decades, the realm of gaming has drastically changed. From 8-bit graphics and two-button controllers, video games now offer incredibly realistic visuals and comprehensive storytelling, making gaming the biggest industry in the entertainment sector by a large margin.
But how will video games look in ten years from now? Let’s take a peek at how advancements in technology are reshaping the way we view and consume video games.
VR
In recent years, titles like Doom VFR and Half Life: Alyx have taken gamers into mesmerising environments. However, the pricing of Virtual Reality headsets has been a barrier for adoption, meaning only those that can afford these can experience the fun of VR gaming.Thankfully, with more affordable options starting to enter the market, we can expect to see the uptake of VR gaming to steadily increase in the coming years.
In terms of VR game development, we can expect to see a huge rise in the industry towards MMO and MMORPG titles, following in the footsteps of games like Zenith: The Last City and Shadow Legend VR. By taking a genre that thrives on immersive experiences and creating 360-degree universes with rich storytelling, players will be able to feel like they’re literally walking in their character’s shoes.
AR
Much like VR, augmented reality, or AR, brings a new level of involvement and captivation to video games, combining the user’s real life environment with artificial elements. But while VR requires headsets, AR games can be played on smartphones, tablets and other portable devices.
While titles like Pokemon Go have been around for a while, AR is set to redefine how we play video games by striking the perfect balance of real world and virtual elements. Players will struggle to differentiate between what is part of their actual environment and what’s just part of the game.
The rise of the Internet of Things will dramatically increase the capacity to interpret data and interact with digital content in real time, allowing developers to create more engaging levels that ultimately enhance the gaming experience.
AI
Games like No Man’s Sky have already displayed the potential that artificial intelligence has on video games, using procedural generation to create an infinite number of planets, each with their own unique landscapes and wildlife.
Not only does AI have the power to create an infinite number of environments for open-world games, but AI upscaling can be harnessed by developers to enhance graphics by turning photos into life-like in-game depictions, making games even more immersive.
In the majority of games, non-playable characters (NPCs) are pre-programmed. Incorporating AI into video games allows for more realistic NPC interactions, meaning they will respond to your actions in real-time, instead of through automation.
Cloud Gaming
Wish you could take your video games with you anywhere, and play the same game across multiple devices? With cloud gaming, this dream has already slowly started to make multi-platforming gaming a reality.
By hosting games on servers, instead of on physical devices and consoles, patches will become a thing of the past. No more having to wait three hours for a new update to download. Cloud gaming makes updates automatically available to players instantly.
Because everything is hosted on the cloud, gamers can start playing on their existing devices, like your phone or laptop, so you don’t need to worry about expensive consoles and controllers.
The future of gaming is bright, so make sure your internet is ready for the next generation of video games. See if our ultra-fast internet is available in your suburb now!
