Technology has had a massive impact on society since the turn of the century, with innovations impacting every aspect of the way people live their daily lives. Advancements in technology have been transforming various online industries, such as online casinos, retailers and travel agencies, helping each sector become successful.
The point about online casinos is particularly noteworthy, as many of the technological innovations which support these platforms have their roots in the associated gaming industry. By taking the best elements of gaming, operators and developers in the online casino sector have increasingly been able to ‘gamify’ the offering on their platforms.
With gaming technology capabilities showing no signs of slowing down, we take a closer look at some of the advancements which could influence the sector over the next few years.
Cloud Gaming
Cloud technology is revolutionising gaming by allowing players to engage in the practice without the need to invest in expensive hardware or local game installations.
Games are hosted on remote servers which handle all the processing, including game logic, physics, graphics rendering, artificial intelligence elements and more. The ongoing global rollout of 5G Wi-Fi connectivity will fire cloud gaming into another stratosphere, making it even more accessible to the masses.
This will help to create a more diverse gaming landscape – a factor which could have a significant impact on the next technological advancement we will highlight.
eSports
The concept of being paid to play video games online may seem alien to people of a certain age, but this is exactly what happens in the 21st century. Technology has helped eSports evolve from a niche hobby into the mainstream, becoming one of the most lucrative growth sectors on the planet.
Developments in cloud gaming could have a significant impact on the genre, opening it up to regions which may previously have struggled to join the cause of. Asia, Europe, and the United States have traditionally been powerhouses in eSports, but cloud gaming could help to dramatically change the landscape over the next few years.
Metaverse Gaming
Metaverse gaming is an immersive digital world, which offers players the opportunity to play games and interact in ways which have never previously been possible. It brings together the best elements of online gaming and virtual reality (VR) technology to create an exciting new concept which could transform the gaming landscape.
Global giants such as Google and Meta have invested heavily in Metaverse gaming by acquiring development platforms and gaming companies to power the evolution.
The Metaverse empowers players to create their own gaming narratives and allows them to connect seamlessly with fellow gamers in more open environment.
Virtual Reality
VR gaming has been on the cusp of crossing into the mainstream for some time now, but finally looks ready to make what promises to be a seismic leap. The supporting hardware previously failed to live up to expectations, leading critics to speculate that it would never become part of the global gaming universe.
However, VR developers have worked hard to fix the issues and the technology is now delivering experiences which are taking gaming to a whole new level. This trend looks guaranteed to continue apace in the future, particularly now VR hardware is becoming more affordable as its popularity grows.
Financial Technology
With the gaming industry increasingly broadening its horizons outside traditional markets, financial technology (fintech) has been forced to adapt to the new world order. Differences in licensing and regulation surrounding digital payments present an ongoing challenge for gaming businesses aiming to grow their global footprint.
Cryptocurrencies have been making a substantial impact in recent times, with their security features and ‘open border’ ethos making them an enticing option for gamers.
While the crypto industry still has some legitimacy concerns to address, the sector is well on track to become a major influence on gaming over the next few years.
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence (AI) already influences many elements of the gaming industry and will increasingly do so as the technology becomes much more sophisticated, with generative AI set to radically reshape gaming.
AI acts intelligently to control non-player characters (NPCs) in games, thus making the gameplay experience more lifelike than was previously the case. The technology also supports numerous other elements of the gaming sector including customer support functions and responsible gaming in the iGaming sector.
AI is also used to support marketing and advertising, allowing gaming companies to personalise the campaigns more effectively they run.
