Technology has transformed every facet of modern-day life and has become a part of our daily existence. Simple things like banking have been revolutionized by new technology developments over the years. New tech has brought about a new kind of living with the ever-increasing productivity of the smartphone and the internet making incredible waves in the ocean that is ordinary life. These changes have also impacted the world of gaming, with technological developments for online casinos as well as video games constantly rising to outdo the past innovations.
Technology has changed gaming in incredible ways and has transformed the gaming industry from a niche hobby amongst enthusiasts to global interest and phenomenon. The gaming industry alone racked up an astounding $180B in 2021, and there’s no doubt that technological innovation has played a massive role in the market’s success over the years.
Let’s look at 10 of these technologies that have had a profound impact on the gaming industry.
Gesture Control
This kind of technology allows players to interact and engage with a game by using their natural movements. It paved the way for an entire gaming franchise known as the Nintendo Wii, with games like Mario Kart and various Wii Sports gaining popularity from their movement tracking. Game developers employ the use of gesture control and movement recognition by using 3D cameras that can track up to 22 different points in your hand.
Facial Recognition
Over the years, facial recognition technology has made its mark on various industries throughout the world, with banking, healthcare, and security being some of the top sectors utilizing the technology. It’s made its way into the gaming world through various means, like China using it to monitor and limit the time spent playing a specific game by a minor, as well as allowing for the creation of realistic and personal in-game avatars.
Voice Recognition
A major game-changer in the gaming industry has been the development of voice recognition technology. With Amazon’s Alexa and Google Assistant driving the technology forward, game developers have realized the value and the need for more games to include voice recognition, especially for people with disabilities and visual impairments.
NFT Game Development
Blockchain technology has taken the digital world by storm and has made its way into the world of gaming while doing so. Because of this, Non-Fungible Tokens have become a great way to leverage what’s called the play-to-earn model. NFT games have created an avenue for players to engage in the space while also keeping profits in mind. Cryptocurrency as a whole has become widely popular, and the introduction of NFT games will allow players to earn money from a new revenue stream while playing their favorite games.
Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality
AR and VR games have provided a whole new way to play and engage in various games. They offer players a captivating gaming experience within real and virtual environments by using 3D technology. This kind of technology makes players feel like they’re in the game and really experiencing it, not just looking at the screen but in the screen!
Some popular AR and VR games that have taken the gaming world by storm are Pokémon Go and Harry Potter: Wizards Unite.
Offline Gaming
Mobile gaming has skyrocketed in popularity in recent times; the convenience of carrying it around and getting to play whenever you want is a significant factor in this rise in demand. Because of this convenience and demand, games have been developed for players to play offline without needing the internet to enjoy them. A modern classic example would be Subway Surfer, which anyone can download at a click of a button and begin playing immediately.
Cross-Platform Gaming
A major development in the gaming world is the ability to play some of your favorite PC games on PlayStation now, and vice versa. These days, players can engage in a game of Call of Duty on their Xbox, and continue that same game on their mobile phone another time. This has allowed for more versatility in the type of gamers engaging in these games, as well as generating another revenue stream for the developers.
Cloud-Based Gaming
Gone are the days of needing to wait outside the game store for a highly anticipated game to release. Those days aren’t entirely gone, but they are numbered as cloud-based gaming continues to see a rise in popularity. These games are stored in a safe and reliable cloud environment outside of a player’s own software and can be accessed at any time. This offers convenience and peace of mind to a gamer who may worry about the safety of their physical belongings.
Players As Creators
Players today are starting to affect the advancements of various games as they are becoming more and more able to make their own content and levels and share them with others online.
High-Definition Displays
The development of HD and 4K TVs has boosted the gaming industry ten-fold. Developers are now creating uber-realistic and fantastic worlds with the games they produce, which have completely transformed the gaming experience. Good graphics in a game have essentially become a staple requirement for any new game that hits the market.
Conclusion
There have been so many incredible technological developments in the gaming industry over the years, and you can bet there will be many more to come in the future!
