The gaming industry is constantly pushing the boundaries of what is possible. Recently, we have witnessed a wave of technological advancements that are changing the way games are created, played, secured and experienced.
Virtual Reality (VR)
Thanks to VR headsets like the Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, and PlayStation VR, gamers are now, more than ever, able to immerse themselves in a huge variety of games – quite literally. VR has opened up new possibilities for storytelling, gameplay mechanics, and also not forgetting social interactions.
For one thing, VR allows for a wider field of view and stereoscopic 3D visuals. This results in giving us a more realistic and believable environment. But, it’s not just us gamers that are benefitting. VR brings new opportunities to game designers. They can create gesture recognition and spatial awareness, for example, and constantly push the boundaries of what is possible.
Provably Fair Gaming
One of the most exciting developments in the gaming industry is the usage of provably fair gaming. But what exactly is it? In basic terms, this technology uses both blockchain and cryptographic algorithms to ensure the fairness and transparency of online games.
By allowing players to verify the randomness of game outcomes, provably fair gaming means you don’t need to blindly trust the online casino. It’s also great peace of mind, knowing that you stand a chance against an operator who isn’t attempting to rip you off.
Provably fair gaming is used on a variety of online games including card games and the best gambling crash sites where, according to gambling expert, Michael Graw, players have the chance to bet on a “plane, spaceship, or another flying object and bet on how long it will fly before it crashes.” And, in certain instances, newcomers can receive thousands of pounds in bonuses just for signing up to a new online casino.
Augmented Reality (AR)
While VR immerses players in entirely virtual environments, augmented reality (AR) overlays digital content onto the real world. Just think Pokémon Go, which gripped the imaginations of hundreds of millions of players all across the world. By blending the real and the virtual, AR creates unique, engaging, and hugely fun experiences that encourage getting out and about as well as being social.
Cloud Gaming: Gaming on Demand
Cloud gaming offers gamers the ability to stream high-quality games directly to their devices, all without the need for powerful hardware. Services like Google Stadia, NVIDIA GeForce Now, and Microsoft xCloud use the power of cloud computing to handle the processing and rendering of games, meaning we get to enjoy demanding titles on a wide range of devices, including smartphones, tablets, and smart TVs.
Cloud gaming eliminates the barriers to entry for many gamers who may not have access to expensive gaming rigs. It also offers convenience and flexibility, allowing players to seamlessly switch between devices and continue their gaming sessions from anywhere with an internet connection.
Furthermore, as internet speeds continue to improve and cloud infrastructure becomes bigger and better, cloud gaming is set to become a more popular and viable option for gamers worldwide.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Like it or not, artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming a bigger and bigger part of our everyday lives. When it comes to gaming, however, AI algorithms are increasingly used to create more intelligent and realistic non-player characters (NPCs). On top of this, it makes it easier for developers to overcome design challenges, improve adaptive gameplay experiences, and even generate content that keeps us gamers coming back for more.
AI-powered NPCs can exhibit complex behaviours, making them so much more believable and interactive. They can adapt to the player’s actions and learn from their mistakes.
AI is also being used to create procedural worlds, where environments, quests, and even characters are generated dynamically, and it’s going to be very exciting to see.
5G Connectivity
With its significantly faster speeds, lower latency, and increased bandwidth, 5G networks are helping enable uninterrupted streaming of high-quality games, real-time multiplayer experiences with way less lag, and the ability to download large game files in mere seconds.
This is great news for mobile game developers, who can now create more graphically demanding games without worrying about any limits imposed by mobile networks like the old days. 5G will also allow the growth of cloud gaming on mobile devices, meaning gamers can access a massive library of games without the need for powerful hardware.
