Technological advancement is rapid and unpredictable. There was once a time when people could barely fathom the concept of a pocket-sized touch-screen device, and now it’s hard to believe that anyone could get by without one.
The march of time and technology has significant bearings on the development of the gaming industry, and 2024 is set to be a lively year in this respect. We don’t have a crystal ball, but here are some of the things that players can expect to see in the near future.
Cloud gaming
Cloud gaming enables players to enjoy a smoother experience, essentially allowing individuals to stream a game to a device which otherwise wouldn’t be able to run it.
By using remote servers to handle the actual processing, it’s now possible to play AAA game titles via the cloud on a budget laptop, tablet, or even a phone.
The cloud also permits players to move from one device to the next smoothly and freely, with minimal interruption to their gameplay, and it means that there’s no need to fork out for costly hardware.
The only real drawback of cloud gaming is that it’s heavily reliant on fast internet connections, and any less-than-snappy connection will result in a diminished experience.
Given its many benefits, and considering that companies like Xbox are already providing Netflix-style streamed gaming services, it seems possible that cloud gaming could surpass console and PC gaming in the not too distant future.
The Metaverse
The Metaverse is an all-encompassing, semi-virtual experience, combining the digital world with the physical one using various cutting edge software solutions and physical peripheral devices.
The Metaverse could turn gaming platforms into immersive, interconnected worlds with a strong social element and plenty of different ways for people to engage with games, do their work, and connect with friends.
Considered the next logical evolution of the internet, it seems highly likely that the Metaverse, although currently in its conceptual infancy, will soon have broad implications for the gaming industry.
Augmented reality (AR) & virtual reality (VR)
One of the first applications of VR and AR technologies was gaming, and the market for these products has snowballed into a multi-billion dollar one.
The incredible popularity of Pokemon GO can be considered a sign of things to come. This is an AR phone game which augments players’ views of reality using their phone cameras, and its success is sure to encourage further development in this area.
In terms of VR, players can expect increasingly immersive gaming experiences in simulated environments. This improved user experience has a wide range of applications, such as improved graphics, interactions, and more effective storytelling.
One report found that, by 2027, the AR/VR segment of the gaming industry is estimated to reach a value of more than $52 billion.
Artificial intelligence (AI)
Artificial Intelligence came to the forefront of the public’s attention in 2023, prompting union strikes, revolutionizing the internet, and sparking plenty of heated debates about the validity of AI-generated content.
When applied to the gaming industry, AI can provide personalized content tailored to the player, as well as rich, endless unique worlds for them to explore, autonomous non-player characters, and dynamically determined difficulty settings.
Using AI in game design is nothing now, but this branch of technology has developed so much in recent years that it will become more and more prevalent in gaming.
Retro gaming
As technology advances, so does some peoples’ yearning for simpler times. This nostalgia applies strongly to gaming, which has seen an upsurge in the popularity of ‘old school’ titles and more basic formats.
There are some unforgettable classic characters, such as Pac-Man and Mario, which gamers are in no hurry to forget. In addition, many die-hard fans claim that the best slots to play are the classics.
These nostalgic trends may increase as their respective industries push new technologies, and it’s likely that we’ll see a surge in the number of retro-inspired games and remastered classics released this year.
Esports
Gaming is more competitive than ever, and we can expect to see an increase in the popularity of Esports, tournaments, and releases of games which lend themselves well to competition.
Competitive gaming has come on leaps and bounds in the last few years, with it now being a recognized and respected spectator sport.
As Esports gets more and more exposure and becomes mainstream, we can be increasingly certain that this is a true sport of the future.
Blockchain and NFTs
Another big talking point through 2023 which is likely to remain in the common discourse for 2024 is the blockchain. This system, which underpins cryptocurrencies, has also enabled non-fungible tokens (NFTs).
NFTs are essentially unique digital assets, and some of them have sold for huge sums of money. By incorporating blockchain and NFT technologies, game providers could enable in-game transactions and ownership of verified, one-of-a-kind digital assets.
One particularly controversial example of unique assets is in-game loot boxes. There remains some healthy scepticism as to whether or not NFTs are a passing phase, and concerns about the protection and storage of digital assets, but the discussion is an ongoing one, and it’s sure to continue throughout this year and beyond.
Inclusivity
In line with other entertainment industries, diversity and inclusivity will continue to dominate, with representations of individuals from more varied backgrounds becoming increasingly common.
Storytelling in games will be one place where we are most likely to see changes here, and they’re likely to include increased representations of people from lesser-seen backgrounds and those with disabilities.
It’s also crucial that gaming providers work hard to clamp down on bullying, antisocial behavior, and discrimination, which has been an issue in the gaming community.
Where inclusivity in gaming is concerned, there’s no doubt that measures are being put into place, and that things are moving in the right direction, but there’s a lot of work still to do, and this will likely remain a hot topic throughout 2024 and beyond.
